[C320-list] Battery Management

Chris Burti clburti at gmail.com
Thu Jul 2 08:29:21 PDT 2009


There was a really neat fixed installation of a diesel genset iwith sound
suppression in the aft port locker with pictures on the Association website
if you want to throw about $5k at the 'problem'.

On Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 10:53 AM, Andrew Santangelo <
andrew_santangelo at mac.com> wrote:

> Ah, the great debate of generator vs. no generator!
>
> First off I have to say, the wear and tear on the diesel is not bad at all.
>  The Yanmar Diesel is very robust, and actually needs to be used (non-use
> over time is not great for a diesel).  Over usage is not a problem for us
> sailors.
>
> Since 1998 I have a high output alternator with Link System.  One bank of
> batteries is the house batteries, the other is the starting battery. A one
> hour run on the engine charges everything for the day easily (refrig, radar,
> chart plotters, laptop, etc.).  This has worked very well for me.
>
> Personally I do not like the extra engine and fuel tank with a generator.
>  For long cruises every cubic inch is important - and for races I do not
> want to carry two engines.
>
> I also use "Dawn Treader" over 100 days per year.  I have do not have any
> problems with the engine failure, recharging, etc.  It seems very efficient
> from a weight, storage, and utilization perspective.
>
> NOW on larger boats, I do like the diesel genset - integrates well, one
> fuel tank and fuel type. And of course plenty of room on the much larger
> boats.  The C320 is big, BUT with kids or crew on board for a few days it is
> VERY crowded.  I know - I will have 9 of us on board "Dawn Treader" in SFO
> in two weeks - YIKES!
>
> Best Regards,
> Andrew
>
> C320 "Dawn Treader"
> #333
>
>
> On Jul 2, 2009, at 8:16 AM, Orlando.Duran at AveryDennison.com wrote:
>
> You can get a Honda 2000i for about $850 via the internet, do some research
>> to find
>> ----------------------------------
>> Regards,
>> OD
>>
>> Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: hcreech
>> Sent: 07/02/2009 12:32 PM GMT
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Management
>>
>>
>>
>> Bob,
>> I've been kicking the idea around of buying a generator as well. I went to
>> the Honda site and saw quite a few versions of 2kw generators, one was the
>> super quiet, I like quite. The model I saw for around a $1000 was the
>> EU2000iA, is that the correct model? Or is there a better model for our
>> application?
>>
>>
>> Thanks, Herb Creech
>> Cloud Chaser #606
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Robert Seastream" <robert.seastream at comcast.net>
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2009 8:17:09 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Management
>>
>> Upgrading your charging system to an HO alternator will solve the
>> problem but the upgrade is around $750 and your diesel engine at
>> $10000+ is a rather expensive device to treat as a battery charger.
>> The Honda 2KW generator mentioned below will cost around $1000
>> (depending on vendor) but saves wear on your diesel (and your ears)
>> for more important tasks. I went with the alternator, later buying
>> the Honda because I might add some high current devices (HVAC) onboard
>> in the future. I built a short (5 foot) 'pigtail' plug to go into the
>> boats' shore power connector. I used to store the generator under the
>> dining table but later made room in the port cockpit lazarette. I
>> don't like storing gasoline 'below' anywhere, but this generator fuel
>> tank seems quite leak tight. I've never smelled gas fumes in the
>> cabin or lazarette. As a precaution, I can run the blower and open
>> the lazarette hatch for a check and airing while I prep for
>> departure. The generator has added uses around the house.
>>
>> Bob Seastream
>> Intuition # 906
>>
>>
>> On Jul 2, 2009, at 1:52 AM, Orlando.Duran at AveryDennison.com wrote:
>>
>> 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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>>
>>
>> - -----------------------------------------------------------------
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>>
>
>


-- 
Chris Burti Farmville, NC



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