[C320-list] Fridge Usage

[Warren Updike]

Guy, I'm not an electronics expert; but, there is a reason that data and
signal wires are twisted. I think it has something to do with EM
interference.  If you are not experiencing interference with a modular
connector/flat wire line it may not be an issue for you.  However, with a
battery monitor it's not like you hear static and know you have
interference.  
Perhaps one of the EEs will enlighten us.

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"

-----Original Message-----
From: David Swanson [mailto:kswanson123 at comcast.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 12:53 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage

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
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>