What are you sailing Bill? I wasn't aware you'd gotten another Montgomery... tom
On Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 6:04 PM, Bill Lamica <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'd have to take a photo to explain the generator placement. > I had a Sunbrella/vinyl cover made that has end straps and a > stainless zipper that runs the bottom ledge. I can tie it down just > about anywhere there are two anchor points. > I'm not sure how to classify LED lights. I myself do not bother to > add their miniscule amperage draw into the equation. I based my > system on the stuff I cannot control. I too use the Garmin 276. I also > have a fan. But what most little craft do not have is 120v. I like that > feature allot! > > Bill > > > On Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 5:45 PM, Joe Murphy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> Bill, >> Where do you store your generator?? >> Phil, >> How long will your batter last just running lights? In a nutshell I'm in a >> similar quandry. I don't know how much the 3amp charge off my outboard >> will >> do. >> I just bought a new M17, Seafrog, and am starting from scratch as far the >> electrical system is concerned. The only power requirements that I am >> looking for right now would be LED running lights, a couple of interior >> cabin lights, a Garmin 276, one or two Hella fans, compass light, masthead >> and spreader lights. Not much else. If I stick to LED for all the >> lighting >> requirements, that should helpgreatly. Do I need a deep cycle battery >> either >> in the 24 or 27 size? >> I understand what Bill is saying about using amps and putting them back >> into >> the battery. Is it as simple as going through each electrical component >> and >> multiplying the amp usage by the number of estimated hours it would be used >> between charges?? If my outboard charger is a 3 amp charger does that mean >> it will put back 3 amps back into the battery in one hour? Oh, why didn't >> I >> stay awake in those classes??? >> Joe >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Bill Lamica" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" >> <[email protected]> >> Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 7:27 PM >> Subject: Re: M_Boats: power >> >> >> > Hi Phil, >> > >> > My experience with solar says you need too big of an array to do much >> good >> > for a cruising boat, with any high power draw electronics. >> > Not saying it doesn't work, just saying your at the mercy of the amp hour >> > rating, the size of your battery(s) and the available sun. >> > >> > There is a WWP19, named Chubby who spent a month cruising to Hawaii. The >> > skipper carried a Honda 1000 generator and charged batteries for about >> > thirty minutes every day of so. I have the same generator, works great! I >> > will however replace it with the next size up, the Honda 2000. They >> > claim both are "clean" electricity. Meaning you could run a laptop from >> > the >> > 120v plug. I will go one step up so I can run it to use a microwave. >> > Notice >> > that when you look at generators, most have a direct plug in to charge >> > batteries. I currently use mine to charge a small 12v - 12amp battery, >> > which I believe goes to a snowmobile or maybe a jetski. The battery is a >> > gel >> > cell and sealed, so there is no chance for spillage of electrolyte. Even >> > with a wired battery box, the entire set up is only 9 pounds. There are >> > lots >> > of sizes available, all the way up and over 20amp in this little battery. >> > More amps = more dollars in this case. >> > >> > You may be told by folks like West Marine, you have to buy a high dollar >> > charger for the gel cell. Not necessarily so, especially when you are >> > watching the battery. You shouldn't leave it overnight on a regular >> > charger >> > - as you would a float charger (for gel), but it is acceptable to charge >> > with the Honda generator and disconnect when the charger turns to >> trickle. >> > For me that's about 30 minutes. >> > >> > I run a (truck cab style) electric fan, two xenon cabin lights and >> > navigation lights, when needed. I charge the battery about one in 3 to 5 >> > days. Even with no useage, it is recommended to charge this type of >> > battery >> > every month or so. They are not necessarily a deep cycle, however they >> > last >> > a couple of years, as I've been using them. And, they are way less than >> > $50.00 at Wallyworld. A little more at Batteries unlimited. >> > >> > If you have a 12v deep cycle already installed, find out the amp rating >> of >> > the battery, that will help you determine the amp hours you can draw, >> > before >> > you must re-charge. Next, determine the amount of draw in amps for each >> > piece of equipment. If you are all LED, you can probably go for weeks, >> > without a charge! If only we were all so fortunate. Ayway. make a list of >> > the equipment and the rating of each. Compare that to the amp rating of >> > the >> > battery. An example would be my battery is 10 amp. The fan I use is rated >> > at >> > 1.5 amp. I can run that fan at full speed for about 6 1/2 hours (10 >> > divided >> > by 1.5 = 6.6). >> > >> > I am sure there are more difficult ways of explaining this, but it still >> > comes out the same. You use the amps, then you recharge to get them back. >> > >> > Another real time benefit of the Honda generator is they are 4-stroke and >> > use the same gas used in the Honda outboards. The downside, they are >> > expensive! >> > >> > Bill >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > On 9/2/08, Phil & Frances <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> >> >> How do some of you power your battery if you stay out there for a week >> >> or two? Right now I have only the runing lights on it, but I would like >> >> to add more items but I do not know whether to go for solar or >> >> generator. Any experience among you folks? >> >> >> >> Phil >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats >> >> >> > _______________________________________________ >> > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats >> > _______________________________________________ > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats > _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
