[C320-list] Fridge Usage

[Warren Updike]

I bought my Xantrex XBM monitor for about $200 and installed it myself.  The
instructions are very good.  Still, it can be a pain fishing the wires
depending on where you mount it vs. battery location. If you are used to
doing boat projects, you can do this.  

The thing about batteries is they have a mind of their own. You can throw
all the juice in the world at them, they will take what they want (or can.)
I don't know what green light you refer to; but, any voltage based reading
may not give you a reliable state-of-charge.  The Balmar regulator is a
great instrument.  It can properly charge your batteries; but, it cannot
make your batteries take a full charge if they are sulfated as the batteries
just stop accepting the charge.  The symptom is that they appear fully
charged but run down quickly.  Specific gravity or load testing is likely
the best way to assess condition.

This past spring we bought two new house batteries with a new Xantrex
TrueCharge2.  With 400AH on the house bank, we can sit on the hook for two
full days before we have to charge some.  Couldn't do that on the old
worn-out boys.

-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Evans [mailto:twosailors at bigpond.com] 
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2011 4:52 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage

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