[C320-list] Battery Management

Thu Jul 2 18:28:48 PDT 2009

You can buy a 12' shore power cord with a twist lock that works real nice 
----------------------------------
Regards,
OD

Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Seastream [robert.seastream at comcast.net]
Sent: 07/02/2009 09:21 PM AST
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Management

That's the one, but it has two 125V three prong outlets.  The one I  
bought is called the EU2000iA Companion.  It's the same generator but  
costs about $100 more.  The 'Companion' has a 125V twistlock outlet in  
addition to one standard 125V three prong outlet.  It lacks the 12VDC  
charging outlet that the EU2000iA has.  The Companion was designed to  
be paralleled with another EU2000iA to double power availability to  
4KW, hence the twistlock outlet which handles higher current than the  
standard three prong outlets.  I wanted it because it had the  
twistlock outlet which I think would hold the plug better on a rocking  
and rolling boat.  I've seen a Kipor brand name generator of similar  
output for a bit less that looks the same but is yellow in color.  It  
might be as good as the Honda, who knows.

Bob

On Jul 2, 2009, at 8:32 AM, hcreech at comcast.net wrote:

> 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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