[Public-List] Battery and electrical system

[John Boor via Public-List]

Timothy.

When I had #380 I went through the same questions. Here is what I did, I
went with 6V 225Ahr golf cart batteries these should handle your
consumption without refrigeration.  I discounted power consumption with my
tiller pilot as I only used it when under power. I rewired the boat
completely, this sounds difficult but if you break it down into smaller
sections it is very doable by you. first draw every circuit separately on
a piece of paper start from the battery, master fuse, disconnect. local
breaker panel a finally the destination including the neutral do not use a
common buss for multiple circuits. also draw the hull and location of all
parts of the circuit. when this is done remove all existing wireing most
original wire may be too brittle to be reused any way. Start by wireing
the high power circuits first if you are uncomfortable get it done by a
professional Rewire one circuit at a time start from the connections at
the destination and move to source I terminated all circuits at a terminal
strip behind the breaker panel but you could terminate directly to the
breaker panel if it is a single circuit. Check each circuit when done. Up
grade your solar panel remember during the day the panel has to supply
normal daily usage and replace what was used over night. I did not expect
the panels to replace all power used each day but sized it to expect a
loss each day to allow about 5 days of usage before needing to recharge (I
had refrigeration) and I derated the panels power output by 50% (eg 100w
to 50w) of power available for usage. I also added a link 10 battery
monitor to keep an eye on usage

John Boor

> I have two questions about my battery and electrical systems. Last summer
> as I spend most of it working out various problems when I went, the
> electrical issued was a constant plague of problems and really just hope.
> Prior to one substantial fix, at one point I was banging on the start with
> a hammer to get the engine to start. Had to quickly drop my anchor in the
> channel entering the Magothy River! that was exciting.
>
> The first is my need to buy a battery or batteries for my house bank. I
> have two batteries right now which a marina had put in for me when I was
> fixing up Nevermore. They are Interstate, dual purpose marine/RV batteries
> that have just simply gotten me by. I would like to keep the one as my
> starting battery, but I need more capacity for a house bank. My goal is to
> have the capability to be able to go cruising for up to a week or so. I
> would like to not have to run the engine every day, or limit that. Right
> now I have a 30watt solar panel and my electric load isn't all that high
> as I have all LED lights. I think the most consuming is the GPS/depth
> sounder and the Tiller Pilot. What are people's experience or
> recommendations? I do not want to modify anything and plan to keep the
> batteries banks where they are above the keel.
>
> The other question I have, is I believe I really should re-wire everything
> that is in there now. I don't think what I have going on right now is
> efficient or even safe. I have very basic functional knowledge/skill level
> with this. For me to to start over and do it correctly is a little over my
> head even after all the reading I have done on it. My boat is on the
> Magothy (across from PSA) and I am hoping I could borrow someone's
> afternoon or evening for some real advice and perspective; compensatory
> beers or dinner would be assumed.
>
> Thank you all!
>
> Timothy Peek
> Nevermore #219
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