I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THE CD25 OWNERS DEAL WITH KEEPING BATTERIES CHARGED. SOLAR, WIND, SHORE POWER/CHARGER? THANKS FOR ALL OPINIONS AND INPUT.
MIKE BUPPERT
buppert@csionline.net
CHARGING BATTERIES
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Scott Ritchey
Re: CHARGING BATTERIES
Actually, I have a CD27, but that shouldn't matter.
If you keep your boat at a dock with 120VAC shore power and day sail, I recommend an AC charger. Statpower makes a 10 amp model for a bit over $100 that has outputs for two batteries. The only problem may be finding a place to mount the unit. Guest also has several models including a compact 1-battery model that clips to the battery terminals, and it's waterproof. At the dock, you have a lot of hours so you don't need a lot of amps. The best charger may depend on the type of battery(s) you have (flooded, AGM, or gell) because some chargers are a compromise whuile others have the switchable voltages for the different battery types. So a good charger is hard to beat (low price and perfrct charging) if you keep your boat at a dock with an AC outlet. You don't need an installed marine AC power system; you can use a good extension cord. I recommend a GFCI circuit for safety.
For moring in a harbor or long cruises (probably not the case with a CD25) you need a different answer. Solar cells WITH a good regulator are probably the easiest solution but will cost more than a charger and you'll need to use the engine to replace large amounts of power. But solar cells can keep your batteries up while the boat sits in harbor. If you need to be self sufficient for extended times, you probably need big batteries (2 six-volt golf cart batteries are hard to beat if you can find a place to put them) and an external smart regulator for the engine alternator. Bigger bucks than the AC charger or solar. A wind generator can put out a lot of amps whe the wind blows, but installation is hardest of all and cost id the highest. I don't see that as a solution unless you had a much bigger boat and did extended cruising. Wind generators also have a problem in very high wind and when the battery is alteady charged ... how to prevent overspeed, what to do with the extra power?
Also read the information in the West Marine and BOAT US catalogs. Also, Practical Sailor has a lot on this topic if you have (or know someone with) back issues. Finally, Nigel Calder's book is excellent.
RitcheyVS@aol.com
If you keep your boat at a dock with 120VAC shore power and day sail, I recommend an AC charger. Statpower makes a 10 amp model for a bit over $100 that has outputs for two batteries. The only problem may be finding a place to mount the unit. Guest also has several models including a compact 1-battery model that clips to the battery terminals, and it's waterproof. At the dock, you have a lot of hours so you don't need a lot of amps. The best charger may depend on the type of battery(s) you have (flooded, AGM, or gell) because some chargers are a compromise whuile others have the switchable voltages for the different battery types. So a good charger is hard to beat (low price and perfrct charging) if you keep your boat at a dock with an AC outlet. You don't need an installed marine AC power system; you can use a good extension cord. I recommend a GFCI circuit for safety.
For moring in a harbor or long cruises (probably not the case with a CD25) you need a different answer. Solar cells WITH a good regulator are probably the easiest solution but will cost more than a charger and you'll need to use the engine to replace large amounts of power. But solar cells can keep your batteries up while the boat sits in harbor. If you need to be self sufficient for extended times, you probably need big batteries (2 six-volt golf cart batteries are hard to beat if you can find a place to put them) and an external smart regulator for the engine alternator. Bigger bucks than the AC charger or solar. A wind generator can put out a lot of amps whe the wind blows, but installation is hardest of all and cost id the highest. I don't see that as a solution unless you had a much bigger boat and did extended cruising. Wind generators also have a problem in very high wind and when the battery is alteady charged ... how to prevent overspeed, what to do with the extra power?
Also read the information in the West Marine and BOAT US catalogs. Also, Practical Sailor has a lot on this topic if you have (or know someone with) back issues. Finally, Nigel Calder's book is excellent.
MIKE BUPPERT wrote: I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THE CD25 OWNERS DEAL WITH KEEPING BATTERIES CHARGED. SOLAR, WIND, SHORE POWER/CHARGER? THANKS FOR ALL OPINIONS AND INPUT.
MIKE BUPPERT
RitcheyVS@aol.com