[C320-list] Battery Management

[warren updike]

Paul, all the good info provided: ice block, circ fan, insulated cover, turn
up when motoring, etc.; are useful and will help to reduce the refer duty
cycle. If your batteries are in good condition and fully charged when you
arrive on-station, you should not have any problem with an overnight even
with the refer on.  You should allow time to get to know your boat and how
you use it before making any major changes.

I don't race; but, do extended cruising.  When faced with a battery
replacement, I stayed with wet cells and upgraded the alternator/regulator,
paralleled the two 4Ds, added a starting battery, installed a charging relay
and a battery monitor.  I now have about 400Ah of capacity and can stay at
anchor or mooring for two days without recharging, and that is with the
refer on and TV/DVD at night. Plus, the hi-output alt. recharges all
batteries in short order. I've never had to discharge my house bank even
close to 50%. 

Should you be interested in the upgrade or a part of it, I have a document
with pictures of what I did.  I'm happy to send it to you whenever you want.
E-mail me off-list whenever.

Nigel Calder is doing a study of boat power. In a recent article he said
that of all the available power sources, he thinks a portable gas generator
is the best bang for the buck. This will be my next investment to let me be
independent of shore power. I hate marina slips, will tolerate a mooring,
prefer to anchor.

Warren & Pattie Updike
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay



-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Adison [mailto:pjaarch at verizon.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:37 PM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Battery Management

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