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Electrical Needs Question

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jbruno
Deckhand

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14 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/11/2002 : 13:22:41

My buddy and I just bought a boat with a single battery. The previous owner used electronics sparingly and said he charged the battery only once or twice per season. Being technology geeks, we want to run electronic stuff alot (Radio, VHF, Depth Gauge,GPS, TV?, etc.). My question is...... what's the best way to do it? Would a single deep cell with maybe solar panels be able to handle the load? Should we maybe attach two batteries? Any thougths are greatly appreciated<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2002 : 13:28:01

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
My buddy and I just bought a boat with a single battery. The previous owner used electronics sparingly and said he charged the battery only once or twice per season. Being technology geeks, we want to run electronic stuff alot (Radio, VHF, Depth Gauge,GPS, TV?, etc.). My question is...... what's the best way to do it? Would a single deep cell with maybe solar panels be able to handle the load? Should we maybe attach two batteries? Any thougths are greatly appreciated<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

That is going to depend...The radio and or TV will be your biggest load. I run with two batteries and charge whenever I am at the dock with a shore power cable. The solar panels may work okay, but no sun = no juice...Its nice to know that when we sail at night, the running lights have something to work off of!!

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d603b3127cce9f858f0ef3ef0000001010" border=0>

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2002 : 15:49:41

Check out this Sailnet article. It has some good advice on assessing and calculating your electrical needs.
http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=jeffre005

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

EricCS
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2002 : 08:38:55

My experience is that a five-watt solar panel was sufficient to power Charm until I installed a Tiller Pilot. Now I've upgraded to a 32-watt panel and have found that, on a sunny day with the boat sailing heeled away from the sun, that panel was still charging the battery with the Tiller Pilot steering, and the GPS, radio and depth sounder all running. Also, at anchor on a day of clouds and rain, the panel was providing all necessary power for the depth sounder, GPS, radio and cabin lights.

The five-watt panel spent the summers tied to a cabin-top hand rail, the 32-watt is held centered on the cabin-top by bungee cords to both rails. The five-watt hangs in a south-facing window during the winter and keeps the battery fully charged, which prevents freezing.

The five-watt panel could not overcharge Charm's single 85-amp hour battery, but the 32-watt panel can. So in addition to the panel I installed a charge controller and a Link 10 e-meter. The latter cost a couple of boat units, but the convenience of seeing the state of the battery is worth it IMHO.

HTH

Eric Spitzner, AP (eric@snet.net)
Catalina 25 #4445 "Charm"
41°16.18'N 72°54.03'W

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2002 : 12:47:07

"Also, at anchor on a day of clouds and rain, the panel was providing all necessary power for the depth sounder, GPS, radio and cabin lights." - Eric Spitzner

Depth Sounder and GPS while at anchor? Eric, exactly how much anchor rode are you paying out that you need a depth sounder and GPS while at anchor? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

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tom
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2002 : 17:35:25

my batteries are being charged by my honda 9.9 and shore power. I try
to use 2 as my house battery and one to start, however shorepower is
a pain compared to a 32 watt solar panel. I'd go with the panel.
thats from one bruno to another.

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EricCS
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2002 : 07:43:25

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
"Also, at anchor on a day of clouds and rain, the panel was providing all necessary power for the depth sounder, GPS, radio and cabin lights." - Eric Spitzner

Depth Sounder and GPS while at anchor? Eric, exactly how much anchor rode are you paying out that you need a depth sounder and GPS while at anchor? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Don,

Actually the weather had been quite breezy when I first anchored -- it took three tries to get into a position not too close to those already in place. So the drag alarm of the GPS and the depth sounder were an attempt to ease my concern that Charm might not stay where I'd put her.

Eric Spitzner, AP (eric@snet.net)
Catalina 25 #4445 "Charm"
41°16.18'N 72°54.03'W

Edited by - EricCS on 10/13/2002 07:45:01

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