[C320-list] Fridge Usage

[David Swanson]

Joe,

Sorry for the long email.  Hopefully, this is helpful to you.

I purchased the Xantrex LinkPro Dual Battery Monitor, not the LinkLite that monitors only one battery.  I also installed with the Xantrex Battery Temperature sensing wire.  I bought the temperature sensing wire and 25 feet of twisted pair wire from www.defenderus.com (it was the cheapest there).  I don't remember where I bought the unit, but it was under $200 and a good deal I recall.  I looked at the Victron as well as a couple of other monitors like the Blue Sea VSM multi monitor.  I really liked the Victron, especially the way it uses a phone wire to connect to the shunt in lieu of the small twisted pair data wires for the LinkPro.  

The LinkPro uni I installed monitors 2 batteries, but, only one of the monitoring features is just voltage (kind of deceptive advertising...).  So, connected my two house batteries in parallel and connected them to battery switch 1, and connected the negative wire through the shunt to measure all of the main house bank discharge and charge current.  I connected the battery 2 switch to my new start battery and connected the LinkPro 2nd battery voltage monitoring wire to my new start battery.  My temp sensor wire monitors my combined house batteries.  I use a Xantrex Echo Charger from my house bank to my start battery.  

Overall, I like the setup.  It is reliable and accurate.  Very helpful when determining battery usage of lights, refrigerations, VHF, TV, radio and related electrical consumption.  Pretty cool really, and also easy to install.  This is my second Xantrex battery monitor.  I has installed a Xantrex Dual Battery Monitor in a H30 sailboat that we had years ago and it also was easy to install and performed flawlessly.

Dave

David Swanson
S/V Emily Ann
2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
Mukilteo, WA 

On Dec 6, 2011, at 11:06 AM, Joseph Aberdale wrote:

> 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
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>