How many batteries does it take to keep your toast eaten, hair drying, blender drink making first mate happy?
We don't use any AC when on the hook.
IF you will be away from the power hose much , the first purchase should be an SOC (state of charge) meter .
This is a "gas gauge" for your battery set , and its $150 or $200 cost may save hundreds of pounds of batteries from being purchased and hauled on board, multiple times.
Here is one brand , $155 online, lots of others.
Bogart Engineering: home
www.[B]bogartengineering[/B].com/
BOGART ENGINEERING 19020 Two Bar Road, Boulder Creek, CA USA 95006 (831) 338-0616 • www.[I]bogartengineering[/I].com.
Even around here this time of year? No generator? Fans then, I take it?
Victron makes a nice SOC meter also.
I have a good quality (when desired - illuminated display) multi meter wired into my house bank. Tells charge rate, batt-bank level, amp draw... etc.
Cost - Under $25
How does a multimeter tell you amp draw? Is it measuring a shunt?
When we motor back to our slip we then plug back in with charger on till we leave. So... house bank is at 100% when we depart. With batts completely isolated via Perko switches till we return. However, there is a direct wire to a float actuated bilge pump.
I stay plugged in all the time while at the dock. The Sterling 40amp charger has a modest 13V. "Idle" mode with an occasional conditioning cycle. My Batteries seem very happy...
Much more precise, intuitive and versatile than my old Charles Unit..
Every RV I've had or rented charged the house batteries off the main motor. Don't boats do the same thing, charge the house batteries off an alternator or generator on the main diesel(s)?
Every RV I've had or rented charged the house batteries off the main motor. Don't boats do the same thing, charge the house batteries off an alternator or generator on the main diesel(s)?
Yes, but... Many of us who live at anchor spend days without using the main engine. Thus the diesel generator, solar panels and wind generator are much more a factor than the main engine. Last year I spent 30 consecutive days anchored in the same place.
(4) 6v. Golf Cart batteries = 440 amp hours.
Daily consumption with fridge, electronics, lights etc when anchoring out is 120 ah so we're good for a couple of days. We don't use any AC when on the hook.
Plus 2 #31 start batteries for back-up.
Yes, but... Many of us who live at anchor spend days without using the main engine. Thus the diesel generator, solar panels and wind generator are much more a factor than the main engine. Last year I spent 30 consecutive days anchored in the same place.
Will continue to run Mr. Genny anyway for coffee. Oh I use a 2KW true sinewave inverter for AC for most of the boat plus an old Heart 24v inverter/charger for the 24v bank.
Some of us have espresso machines onboard....With all that power, why do you run the generator just to make coffee? Pretty sure I've seen 12VDC coffee makers. I do use an electric drip brewer at home, but propane at our off-grid cabin and in every RV morning I can recall.
Ahh, yes. That makes sense. And long spells at anchor do sound nice.
With all that power, why do you run the generator just to make coffee? Pretty sure I've seen 12VDC coffee makers. I do use an electric drip brewer at home, but propane at our off-grid cabin and in every RV morning I can recall.