[C320-list] Battery Management

[Scott Thompson]

This is the right place to use it, but only when the wind is from 
forward, such as when anchored out or on a mooring.  Presumably you 
don't need it at other times.  I know others are fans of this generator. 
  Mine works very reliably but I find it awkward to store and move 
around the boat, and despite the good reviews on noise, I still find it 
too noisy for comfortable extended use.  Maybe if I got a better 
charger.  (Since Surprise is on a mooring most of the time and rarely on 
shore power I've had little incentive to replace the original.)

FWIW, the original Yanmar alternator works just fine with 24/7 fridge 
use, even in hot weather, if you are motoring around enough and keep the 
other loads low.  But those are big "ifs" and I just upgraded to a new 
starting battery, paralleled the house bank, and installed a Balmar high 
output alternator.  The new system gets its first real test this weekend.

I also replaced the anchor light with an LED model last year.  That cuts 
a good bit of the nighttime load.  I've been trying various LED 
replacement lights for the cabin, but have yet to find one I like.

Scott


Orlando.Duran at AveryDennison.com wrote:
> Outside in the cockpit...put it behind the binnacle in the opening for 
> the swim step...it's quiet, runs for about 5 hrs per tankful (approx 
> 1gal tank)....never inside
> ----------------------------------
> Regards,
> OD
> 
> Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "pjaarch" [pjaarch at verizon.net]
> Sent: 07/02/2009 09:46 AM AST
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Management
> 
> 
> 
> Where are you placing the generators?  I have heard of deaths of boaters 
> from the CO getting into the cabin at night.
> 
> Paul Adison
> HOLBERG & ADISON P.A.
> 150 Himmelein Rd.
> Medford, NJ 08055
> tele: (609) 654-0171
> fax: (609) 654-1310
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Guy Henry" <guyhenry22 at aol.com>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 9:20 AM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Management
> 
> 
>> I have the EU2000i, but i'd say the EU2000ia is just a newer model.  
>> Mine is 2 years old.
>> The picture of the EU2000ia looks like the same except the case my be 
>> slightly redesigned.
>>
>> Guy
>> MoonShadow #115
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: <hcreech at comcast.net>
>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>> Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 8:32 AM
>> 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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-- 
Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653