[C320-list] Battery Management

[Andrew Santangelo]

Paul,

In general while motoring, you should be fine unless you have an  
inverter and run lots of things all at once (microwave, TV, hair  
dryer, etc.).

However, there is a significant risk of draining the batteries when  
the engine is not running for long periods of time, UNLESS you have a  
high-Amp Alternator where you can quickly recharge the batteries and  
not the standard one on the Catalina.  In other words you could risk  
going overnight if you have a high output alternator.  The standard  
one on the Catalina 320 just does not have the output to fully  
recharge your batteries in a humane and reasonable time.  I found it  
took HOURS to recharge with the standard alternator from an overnight  
use. It is a pain running the engine all day and all night to recharge  
batteries with the standard alternator.

I would be nervous having perishables in my refrig and the refrig off  
all night, especially in the summer.  You should consider adding ice  
to the refrig for the overnight shut off.  I also put life jackets  
over the top of the refrig in the summer for added piece of mind and  
insulation.

Now if you have a high output alternator you should be fine.  Recharge  
at the anchorage for an hour and let refrig run during the night.  In  
the morning give everything an hour recharge and you should fine for  
the day.

Others also use generators on their C320's, however I am not in this  
school of thought - boat is a bit too tight to lose space to a  
generator and the added gas tanks, and I do not use an inverter on the  
boat.  However this is an option to consider.  Now if I had a C470 the  
generator is fine....  :-)

The key is monitoring your battery usage.

Have fun with the cruise!

Best Regards,
Andrew

C320 "Dawn Treader"
#333


On Jul 1, 2009, at 8:36 PM, Paul Adison wrote:

> I am brand new to this list and have owned my 320 for just a week.   
> We are leaving on a weeks cruise on Sat.  I am concerned about the  
> drain on my batteries.  Much of the trip will be motoring so the  
> refrig. will be charging for much of the day.  Can I leave the  
> refrig on all the time, even while at anchor?  Is it best to run the  
> engine for an hour prior to going to sleep and then turning the  
> refrig off?  What does your experience tell you?
>
> Paul Adison
> S/V "Rough Draft" _/ )
> C320 #722