[C320-list] Re Batteries & Fridge

[Robert Seastream]

I used to have an 18 watt rigid solar panel made by ICP of Canada and  
sold by WM and others.  It was good for a maintenance charge during  
the week (took care of the odd bilge pump run) but obviously was too  
small to replace what the fridge and other items would consume during  
even a weekend sail.  I relied on the two hour round trip motor down/ 
up the river (to get offshore) to replace the bulk of what power I  
withdrew.  I had replaced the stock (real wimpy) charging system with  
a high output one.

It seems (to me) that any aftermarket system purchased for recharging  
the house batteries costs about $1000 +/- $200 by the time all is  
done.  My upgraded alternator package was about $850 for the parts; I  
did the install myself.  A 130 watt solar panel system is about $1000,  
as is a 2KW (though one could get by with less) generator.  I have the  
generator as well; the justification was that it could perform double  
duty during power outages at home.  Our future may include a solar  
panel on our davits as well.

Bob Seastream
Intuition # 906

On Sep 8, 2009, at 1:02 PM, Jack McDonough wrote:

> Scott:
>
> I'm no help on the subject of solar. Sorry. Running the engine  
> periodically on 1 or 2 is the best I can do to keep the batteries  
> healthy.
>
> jack
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott Thompson" <surprise at thompson87.com 
> >
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 08, 2009 9:14 AM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Re Batteries & Fridge
>
>
>> Hi Jack:  I'm catching up on old emails after some vacation.  I'm  
>> on a mooring.  The challenge is keeping the batteries topped off  
>> without shore power, plus the love/hate relationship with the  
>> dinghy.  I would really like to find a good option for keeping the  
>> batteries topped off using solar -- something for my winter "to do"  
>> list.
>>
>> WHO HAS INSTALLED SOLAR PANELS ON A 320???  I would like details.
>>
>> Scott Thompson
>> Surprise, 653
>>
>> Jack McDonough wrote:
>>> Irv:
>>>
>>> I always start the engine on Both (or ALL), to make certain I have  
>>> enough juice to get it  going. Then I switch to either 1 or 2. I  
>>> don't understand what you mean when you say to switch to 1 or 2  
>>> after you STOP the engine. Why not switch while it's running? Once  
>>> it's stopped, what difference does it make which battery setting  
>>> you're on unless you're running refrigeration or lights or  
>>> something else?
>>>
>>> I have discussed this battery subject over the years with any  
>>> number of boat owners and yacht yard personnel. I have learned that
>>> (1) it's OK to run it on All; (2) It's not wise to run it on All;  
>>> (3) It's OK to switch batteries while the engine is running (but,  
>>> of course, don't turn it to Off.); (4) Everything in 1, 2 and 3 is  
>>> right. (5) Everything in 1,2 and 3 is wrong. In other words, ask  
>>> 10 people and you'll get 10 different answers.
>>>
>>> On a totally different subject, am I the only 320 owner on the  
>>> planet whose boat is on a mooring? Everyone else on this 320  
>>> website seems to be at a slip.
>>>
>>> jack
>>> #947
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Irving Grunes" <igrunes at gmail.com 
>>> >
>>> To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 6:42 AM
>>> Subject: [C320-list] Re Batteries & Fridge
>>>
>>>
>>>> Brad,
>>>> No sense FREAKING
>>>>
>>>> It is not advisable to ever have the batteries on both because  
>>>> then the
>>>> higher battery will try to charge toe lower battery with the end  
>>>> result two
>>>> lower batteries.
>>>> If you try to start the engine and either of the batteries won't  
>>>> do it
>>>> independently, then connect to both to get a little more power.  
>>>> Keep them on
>>>> both until you stop the engine and go back to 1 or 2
>>>> If you are out and know you will be running the engine for a  
>>>> while, then put
>>>> the batteries to both so the engine generator will be charging  
>>>> both. As soon
>>>> as you stop the engine go back to 1 or 2
>>>>
>>>> Re the fridge. When in the slip, with the charger on, the charger  
>>>> is
>>>> connected to each battery independently.so there is no advantage  
>>>> to having
>>>> them on both. So leave the switch on one or two
>>>> If you leave the fridge on and for some reason you lose dock  
>>>> power, the
>>>> charger turns off and the fridge will just knock down the one  
>>>> battery and
>>>> not both. Thats why you only want one battery on.
>>>>
>>>> At our slip on Sue Creek, the dock power is very sensitive to  
>>>> lightening and
>>>> so we just don't leave the fridge on.  And since the fridge cools  
>>>> off
>>>> quickly, and  by the time we want a beer, its cold.
>>>>
>>>> Hope this helps the question on the battery switch position
>>>>
>>>> Irv Grunes
>>>> 2001 #851
>>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Scott Thompson
>> Surprise, #653
>