[C320-list] Fridge Usage

[Colin Evans]

 Chris,
The label on both the batteries has RC300 
The batteries have been on the boat for a year and ten months and the
problem has only started over the last few months.  Not so bad in our winter
as I turned the fridge off at night, and we don`t tend to use the boat
overnight as much .
I was under the impression that approximately 50% of the available amps
could be used. As we have two x 150 amp batteries that should give us 150
amps to use.  Using the sheet from the 320 site, we use approx 75-80 amps in
24 hours.  So I should get close to two days, I got lesss than 20 hours.
I`m still investigating.
Thanks
*************************
Regards
Colin Evans
Watermark #774
Lake Macquarie, Australia
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Burti [mailto:clburti at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, 13 December 2011 11:30 AM
To: Colin Evans
Subject: RE: [C320-list] Fridge Usage

Colin,
CCA can be designed in inexpensively, RC is pricey. My math is rusty,
but with the batteries you described, at a duty cycle of 25 amps you
only have 150 minutes until the batteries are down the 50% that you can
effectively use.

Thanks
Chris Burti
From: Colin Evans
Sent: 12/12/2011 6:17 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage
Yes Warren, I`ve had a lot of assistance from those that know a lot more
about this than I.
Anyway to try to address some of the comments and queries.
1.  The batteries are 2 x 150 amp, 1000cca plus we have a 600cca/80amp
starting battery.
2.  Yes we are on shore power.  We have a Xantrex 40 charger but I don`t
know what settings may be available for charging rates.  I will check.
Shore power is generally left on all the time we are in the pen, at the
suggestion of a local marine electrician.  Though there seems to be some
discussion as to whether this is a good idea.
3.  I took the batteries to Battery World where they were load tested ,
showing 1000cca at 12v.  Deemed by the operator to be in good condition.
They are a few months short of two years old. (He could have sold me new
batteries.)
4.  When sailing we have the speed /depth instruments on and the VHF radio.
When we stop the instruments get turned off and the radio goes off when
fellow sailors are anchored. We don`t use the cabin lights much as we tend
to be on deck with a solar light.  We use water pump, gas solenoid, stereo
and the anchor light for about 9 hours.
5.  I did a usage check guestimate the list on the 320 site and arrived at
75 - 80 Amps for 24 hours, excluding starting and anchor winch as we have a
separate starting battery and I didn`t allow any input while running the
engine with the new Balmar regulator. The anchor winch ahd not been used in
the 24 hours prior to the fridge stopping last time. The Balmar seems to ba
a good thing.  We started the engine and ran for about an hour with both
house and starting batteries on, then sailed for two or three hours with the
fridge running, and only the house batteries on, then we were able to start
the engine just on the re-charged house batteries.
6.  Later today I will take the batteries back to the boat and try to check
the voltage at the Fridge.
7.  True that the volt meter on the panel may be not super accurate, but it
seems fairly close to the $20 digital tester I have.

The reason I`ve concentrated on the fridge being the culprit is because it
is the biggest user of electricity. But is it possible to have a leak
somewhere and not know about it. I think a project over the Christmas break
will be to put a battery monitor on.




************************************
Regards
Colin Evans
__/)
~~~~~


-----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, 13 December 2011 7:51 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage

Colin, you've had a lot of good suggestions to address your problem.
Trouble is, without knowing how your batteries are wired, charged, what
other loads there may be, and a whole bunch of other things, all you this
list can give is topical suggestions.  It's not at all clear whether this is
purely a usage/charging issue, a wiring fault, or something else.
I urge you to do a power audit using the spreadsheet from the web site; and,
if there is a fellow boater nearby that is capable of assessing your whole
system with the use of proper equipment, to try to get his assistance.
I hope you get to the bottom of this.

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


-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Evans [mailto:twosailors at bigpond.com]
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 12:50 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Fridge Usage


Cast your minds back a few weeks when I queried the time our fridge was
running. It generated a lot of discussion, and we learnt many energy saving
ideas for the fridge.  Thank you all.
However
Generally it seemed that about 30% t 40% running time was normal.  Now I
have had my batteries checked by our local supplier and they are fine.  At
less than two years old I would hope so.
I have still have the problem of lack of power.  We went 16 hoiurs last
weekend and then there was insufficient power to start the fridge.  Bear in
ming that we have 2 x 150A house batteries and a separate starting battery.
The general comments indicated that we should be okay for 48 hours, as all
three batteries indicated being fully charged when we left the marina
If anyone can shed some light on this I would be grateful.
*************************
Regards
Colin Evans
Watermark #774
Lake Macquarie, Australia