Batteries - where to locate them

[Lou_tribal]

Originally Posted by FlyWright

Electrical and ER projects can often turn into a much bigger job than the idea which initially inspired the job. It reminds me of the children's book,

This is the reason why I prefer to have a good thinking before starting anything that would become a nightmare

L

[BruceK]

Lou,now Koliver has as if by magic distilled the "why", why not make that your first area of attention. With an efficient fridge your problem might disappear, and if it doesn`t totally resolve power issues, whatever you do add should have you at anchor well refrigerated much longer. Lots of frig threads, though many from unhappy users.

[Lou_tribal]

Originally Posted by BruceK

Lou,now Koliver has as if by magic distilled the "why", why not make that your first area of attention. With an efficient fridge your problem might disappear, and if it doesn`t totally resolve power issues, whatever you do add should have you at anchor well refrigerated much longer. Lots of frig threads, though many from unhappy users.

Yup totally agree still need to assess my freaking fridge appetite for amps (what will be done when I will unfreeze). However even if I stay with the same battery setup it may be a good setup to change location and I still would juice this up a bit. This is really not that I am power hungry as I have the minimum aboard (basically fridge, led lights and charging my tablet) and very energy conservative (not my style to light outside just for the beauty of my boat to shine) but just to stay a bit longer off grid without genset running (current setup is 220 Ah).

By the way there is no magic (sorry KOliver you did not ask me to be your agent like Oudini lol) he did just read one of my other thread

L

[FlyWright]

My 34 LRC runs with 2 fridges to be able to match load and purpose during varying cruising/fishing needs.

During the 'cold' weather fishing season, I use the 120V fridge for bait and beer fridge. It's a big hit with my fishing buddies and is very practical. We relocate several times a day so the house bank barely gets challenged with its regular recharging from the Balmar. The 12v/120V NovaKool cares for my food only.

During the hot summer months, I carry a cooler with ice for the IPAs (no bait, typically) and use the 120V fridge for food overload on long trips. If the food needs subside and the ice stays frozen, I shut down the 120V beast. (~150-180AH/day!) Later, if the ice runs out and there's a threat that the IPAs might warm to 40*F+, I'll fire up the beast for a just cause.

My point is that is you can design a system with the flexibility to safely meet your load and charging needs, even with varying demands and charging sources, you'll find that sweet spot in the land of electrons.

It's nice to have flexibility.

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. L_t. I can't remember how your boat is set up BUT have you considered locations other than the forward compartment? Lazerette? Flybrige? There ARE issues with alternate locations as has been mentioned but have you considered ALL the places they may fit regardless of extra wiring or balance? Maybe under your fly bridge seating?

It is ALWAYS a good thing to maximize space around your engine. All that being said, they've lived where they are for years so the choice is yours...

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by koliver

IIRC this project arose out of your quest for enough power to run your fridge.

Originally Posted by BruceK

Lou,now Koliver has as if by magic distilled the "why", why not make that your first area of attention. With an efficient fridge your problem might disappear, and if it doesn`t totally resolve power issues, whatever you do add should have you at anchor well refrigerated much longer. Lots of frig threads, though many from unhappy users.

Originally Posted by Lou_tribal

Yup totally agree still need to assess my freaking fridge appetite for amps (what will be done when I will unfreeze).

What the heck is the beast of a fridge that's driving all this?

Have to admit, I've not had to buy a clue about our fridges' DC consumption, given our battery evolution that was also for other reasons.

-Chris

[Lou_tribal]

Originally Posted by RT Firefly

Greetings,
Mr. L_t. I can't remember how your boat is set up BUT have you considered locations other than the forward compartment? Lazerette? Flybrige? There ARE issues with alternate locations as has been mentioned but have you considered ALL the places they may fit regardless of extra wiring or balance? Maybe under your fly bridge seating?

It is ALWAYS a good thing to maximize space around your engine. All that being said, they've lived where they are for years so the choice is yours...

I thought about locating them under the bed in the aft cabin, on one side they would be right on center line, on the other side long running cables and worse I would loose my wine storage!
One drawback on putting them on the forward compartment is they would be over the speed/depth transducers so in case of any issue I would need to remove the batteries to get to them (pretty rare though)
In the ER temp is higher and access a bit more tedious.

Lot of thing to consider, matter for thought.

L

[Lou_tribal]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

What the heck is the beast of a fridge that's driving all this?



Have to admit, I've not had to buy a clue about our fridges' DC consumption, given our battery evolution that was also for other reasons.



-Chris

Well chain of thought... was willing to increase my battery bank because the current config gives me only 1 day (in the best condition) of autonomy because of the fridge... so was thinking where to locate new batteries... and so the thread.

L

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Lou_tribal

Well chain of thought... was willing to increase my battery bank because the current config gives me only 1 day (in the best condition) of autonomy because of the fridge... so was thinking where to locate new batteries... and so the thread.

Are there any new fridges -- compared to your current one -- that would offer you more time with no change to your battery configuration?

If so, how much better could it get?

I don't actually how long we can go on batteries; we need to cook (electric) and make hot water (electric)... so we have to run the genset 2x/day no matter what the fridges are doing to us. When we added battery capacity, that wasn't about fridges; instead, it was all about electronics and adding an inverter -- for microwave popcorn in the afternoon, and morning coffee before genset start-up time.

-Chris

[Lou_tribal]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Are there any new fridges -- compared to your current one -- that would offer you more time with no change to your battery configuration?



If so, how much better could it get?



I don't actually how long we can go on batteries; we need to cook (electric) and make hot water (electric)... so we have to run the genset 2x/day no matter what the fridges are doing to us. When we added battery capacity, that wasn't about fridges; instead, it was all about electronics and adding an inverter -- for microwave popcorn in the afternoon, and morning coffee before genset start-up time.



-Chris

To answer your question There is certainly capacity for improvement on the side of my fridge as it is something like 20years old but what would be the improvement I am not. To be able to answer that I will first need to measure its amp draw. One sure thing though is that any replacement will not be cheap. Any replacement would be min 1000$+ here.

Only need for power at anchor for me is fridge, lights (all 12v led so minimal draw), fresh water/head pump and tv (barely used). No oven, no microwave, no electric coffee machine, no electronic gizmo running with engine off, I am a caveman

L

[Chrisjs]

Our charger (Xantrex Freedom charger/inverter) was located in the pilot house about 25ft from the batteries at the aft end of the ER. Main alternator was about 12ft from batteries. While this may not have been optimal (??), I never noticed any issue with charging 4x8Ds. I would choose the location easiest to access and if necessary fit a squirrel fan and 3-4inch hose to ventilate back to the ER. We did have a separate set-up for the bow thruster with 2x4Ds and dedicated charger under the master bed, with the advantage of being close to the thruster. Again, perhaps not ideal, but never had any problem, and isn't everything a compromise??.