[C320-list] Fridge Usage

[Joseph Aberdale]

Dave,

Could you please tell me which model Xantrex Link Pro Monitor you  
installed?

Thanks.

Joe
#908


On Dec 6, 2011, at 2:42 AM, David Swanson wrote:

> Colin,
>
> I installed a Xantrex LinkPro Battery Monitor when In installed a  
> start battery and an Echo Charger in my C320 about a year and a  
> half ago.  It was straight forward to install and pretty simple to  
> do.  Just last weekend, I posted some photos of my installation on  
> our C320IA website along with some other photos of a diesel heater  
> installation, davits installation, and transporting our boat by  
> truck.  Check them out under my name on the C320IA Owners Gallery.   
> The LinkPro is a great tool to have to monitor power usage and  
> charging while anchored out.  I wouldn't leave home without it!
>
> Dave
>
> David Swanson
> S/V Emily Ann
> 2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
> Mukilteo, WA
>
>
> On Dec 5, 2011, at 1:52 PM, Colin Evans wrote:
>
>> Thanks Warren,
>> Useful information.  I think the batteries need checking. We are  
>> just coming
>> into summer here, but not particularly hot yet.  The batteries are  
>> fully
>> chrged when we leave the marina,showing over 13v,with the green  
>> lights on
>> indicating fully charged,  and responded quickly when the engine  
>> was run for
>> about an hour as we have a new Belmar smart reg on the alternator.
>> Our usage is nothing special except for the fridge.  At this time  
>> of the
>> year we spend most time on deck with a small solar light, maybe  
>> the stereo
>> on and cabin light late for a short time plus the usual things  
>> like water
>> pump.  We seldom have more than two lights on.
>> Is a battery monitor something that can be done by a non-  
>> proffessional or
>> should I mortgage the house and get a marine electrician to do it?
>> *************************
>> Regards
>> Colin Evans
>> Watermark #774
>> Lake Macquarie, Australia
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of  
>> Warren Updike
>> Sent: Tuesday, 6 December 2011 8:41 AM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage
>>
>> Colin, your duty cycle is about 30% (5/15,) which sounds about  
>> right for
>> late in the season after the heat of summer.  I surveyed mine as  
>> about 40%
>> in warmer weather.  I have a battery monitor and it shows a draw  
>> of about
>> 5-1/2A when running.  So 24 hrs X 5.5A X 0.4DC = 52A  With fully  
>> charged
>> house bank of 300A, you should have about 150A to use.  That's at  
>> least 2
>> days on the hook depending on your other loads.  However, if your  
>> batteries
>> have been chronically undercharged and are a few years old they  
>> will not
>> take or hold a full charge and will run down quickly.  It's not at  
>> all
>> unusual to have this situation.  Battery management is a whole  
>> separate
>> topic.
>> My recommendations: 1) any boat with a fridge should have a  
>> battery monitor;
>> 2) before spending any significant amounts, do a full power  
>> requirement
>> survey for your boat.  You'll find a spreadsheet and instructions  
>> for doing
>> this on our web site; 3) test your batteries with either a temp.  
>> compensated
>> hygrometer or load tester, this will give you a better picture of  
>> the status
>> of your batteries.
>> There is a wealth of information on the internet on managing  
>> batteries, and
>> Nigel Calder's books are almost a requirement for anyone doing  
>> their own
>> maintenance.
>> Most of what I know about boats I learned the hard way.
>> Warren & Pattie Updike
>> 1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Colin Evans [mailto:twosailors at bigpond.com]
>> Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2011 8:41 PM
>> To: 'Catalina Discussion '
>> Subject: [C320-list] Fridge Usage
>>
>>
>>
>> Our fridge cycles on for four or five minute then off for about  
>> fifteen
>> minutes, does this seem correct.  I have the thermostat set on 2  
>> and we run
>> out of enough power to run the fridge in less than 24 hours, which  
>> doesn`t
>> seem right as we have recently put a start battery on , so now the  
>> house
>> power is 300 amps.  The batteries are less than two years old so I  
>> don`t
>> think they are at fault, and are alway fully charged when we leave  
>> the
>> marina.
>>
>> Any suggestions.
>>
>> *************************
>> Regards
>> Colin Evans
>> Watermark #774
>> Lake Macquarie, Australia
>>
>>
>