Good advice. I'm not real sure how long it takes. However, I have had the boat since September, run all my electronics, use the lights and start the motor and the batteries have yet to go dead on my normal engine runs. I usually allow the engine to have at least a 10 minute warm up while I rig the boat for sail at dock . Then I motor out about 5 minutes and then back 5 minutes. I keep the engine running at the dock while I stow the sails and get ready to leave. So, on average, the engine runs, at most, about 20 -30 minutes per sail.
Lance B. Jones _/) Internet Account Representative YELLOWPAGES.COM from BellSouth BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corporation 2247 Northlake Parkway-8th Floor Tucker, Georgia 30084-4005 Phone: (678) 406-2531 Toll Free: (866) 213-2617 Fax: (770) 908-6213 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit our website @ www.yellowpages.com <http://www.yellowpages.com/> -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sneddon, Keith Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 8:43 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: Alternator Lance, There is no such thing as a free lunch. Assuming your current alternator, voltage regulator, cables, etc. are healthy, a bigger, higher output alternator (which is what you would need to charge more quickly) draws more power from the engine to drive, and that power is not available to push the boat. Charging the batteries quickly is not very good for them, anyway, as you end up putting a lot of heat into them, which shortens their life. Most batteries don't like to be charged above about 10 amps, so if your alternator is putting out enough to handle the battery charging load plus whatever else you are running on the boat, going bigger won't help you much. How long is it taking to charge your batteries anyway? Keith Sneddon From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jones, Lance B Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 8:29 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: Alternator I'm looking at upgrading the alternator on my Universal 5411. Are there any recommendations out there as to one that would more quickly charge the batteries and in very durable? Lance B. Jones _/ Internet Account Representative YELLOWPAGES.COM from BellSouth BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corporation 2247 Northlake Parkway-8th Floor Tucker, Georgia 30084-4005 Phone: (678) 406-2531 Toll Free: (866) 213-2617 Fax: (770) 908-6213 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit our website @ www.yellowpages.com <http://www.yellowpages.com/> ***** The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential, proprietary, and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from all computers. GA624
