[C320-list] Battery Management

[Guy Henry]

I'll second the Honda 2000...and it fits under the chart table when not in 
use.  It's variable throttle based on demand, idling when just charging the 
battery.
It can run at idle for 12 hours on a gallon of gas.  It also can run a blow 
dryer and curling iron simultaneously.  Although that was the original 
reason for the purchase and I resisted getting it, I'm glad I was talked 
into it.
Great piece of mind,
Guy
MoonShadow #115


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Orlando.Duran at AveryDennison.com>
To: "C320-List" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 1:52 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Management


I hear what Andrew says but....there's nothing like the freedom of not 
running your engine when you have a Honda 2000 generator...3 gals of gas 
will take care of running it for your cruise...hook up the gen set with a 
cord to your shore power inlet and let you electric charger take care of 
your batteries...it really does not take up very much room...
----------------------------------
Regards,
OD

Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld


----- Original Message -----
From: Andrew Santangelo [andrew_santangelo at mac.com]
Sent: 07/01/2009 09:10 PM CST
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Management



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


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