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d r young
RO# 30527
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 Posted - May 23 2012 : 23:48:59
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Last time out we had an power issue nad i looked my batteries today and one was warm. I looked inside and it was, as far as I could see, dry! All my batteries were installed 1 year ago last weekend. I have 4, the others all looked fine. The dry one is the one the charger, a Guest 10/10 2 bank, is connected to and has jumper s over to another battery and are the house battery's. I usually turn the battery's switches to off when in port and on 110v but the charger still keeps them up. Why would one be dry and the others fine? I refiled the battery and will go down tomorrow to look and see if it's still full and fully charged.
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| 1988 Carver Mariner 3297 |
Homeport: Portland Or
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Radioactive
RO# 3238
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 00:58:50
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Last time out we had an power issue
i looked my batteries today and one was warm. ( and ) dry!
I have 4, the others all looked fine.
The dry one is the one the charger, a Guest 10/10 2 bank
is connected to ... another battery and are the house battery's.
I usually turn the battery's switches to off when in port and on 110v but the charger still keeps them up.
Why would one be dry and the others fine?
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<< I was having a bit of difficulty reading your post so I ( gently ) edited it so I could read it a bit more easily >>
To me, the symptoms do not quite match the way you state they are wired. Normally, when one battery in a bank fails, you usually have some indication in the "good" battery. I suspect that, one way or another, the #2 battery in the bank is NOT connected when the charger is active. ( But I am not there. You are. So this confuses me... I do not doubt you. But something seems strange )
The "dry, warm" battery should be considered compromised, even if it holds a charge. Flooded Lead/Acid batteries that run dry and continue to have power applied usually have damage.
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Things I would check:
Use a hygrometer to check battery state on all three "good" batteries.
Be prepared to replace the over-cooked one.
Re-check your wiring...
Your charger may have failed.
I have assumed that your charger has one 10A leg connected to the bank in question and that the other leg is connected to the ( presumed ) good, 2-battery bank. And that the two banks are NOT connected.
What was the "power issue"? The timing makes me suspect that this is related to that event.
A bit more info, maybe we can give a better response.
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Bill
"No matter where you go, there you are." -- Buckaroo Bonzai
"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." - Kenneth Grahame |
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Homeport: MS Gulf Coast
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pdecat
RO# 842
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 07:21:11
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a failed cell allows too much current generating heat and boilng out the acid. If batts are in parallel it will happen faster and hotter.
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Bruce
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Homeport: Gulf Coast FL
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 08:07:09
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quote:
Originally posted by pdecat
a failed cell allows too much current generating heat and boilng out the acid. If batts are in parallel it will happen faster and hotter.
It depend if the cell is open or shorted. In any case here is another good example where Sears AGM batteries would give you a better bang for the buck especially on the house bank.
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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Capt. Bill1
RO# 2017
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 10:48:40
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Replace the dry one. Load test the rest. Clean all your battery connections. Once you replace and test the batteries, test your charger and monitor the condition of the batteries as they are being charged. Hygrometer tests great but should only be done after the battery is fully charged and allowed to rest over night with no more charging going on.
How are the charging wires from the charger set up, 1 to the house bank and 1 to the starting battery?
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The two most common elements on Earth are oxygen and stupidity.
Great, now take it to NBR. |
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Homeport: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
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d r young
RO# 30527
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 11:52:24
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Ok let me try to clear it up.
The battery in question is one of the house batteries.
It is connected in parrallel with another. 1 of the 2 was dry. connected to the dry one is 1 leg of the charger, the other leg going to the starting batteries.
I do have manual switches that will connect all batteries together if needed and usually run in "all" position when running and off when stopped. Not sure if this the best way.
The event was my gps showing low power after a 45 min run, no other issues.
Is that more understandable?
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| 1988 Carver Mariner 3297 |
Edited by - d r young on May 24 2012 12:00:36 |
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Homeport: Portland Or
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Capt. Bill1
RO# 2017
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 12:56:55
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Replace the dry one, test and be prepared to replace the second house battery. The correct but not cheap way would be to replace both batteries.
Oh, you may be able to get something under the warranty for the bad battery to apply towards a new one.
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The two most common elements on Earth are oxygen and stupidity.
Great, now take it to NBR. |
Edited by - Capt. Bill1 on May 24 2012 12:59:58 |
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Homeport: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
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mixman
RO# 25362
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 13:49:15
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Doug,
Be aware that you shouldn't mix AGM and flooded batteries and they certainly should not share the same charger. You'll either need another charger for this new AGM or you'll need to change your entire bank to AGM. I see you purchased an AGM at Sears for a great deal. Did you just get one or are you replacing all?
Other thread: http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=154704
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--Kurt
17 knot cruise at 5mpg (3.5/gph). Two hulls are better than one! |
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Homeport: Chesapeake Bay
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Thudpucker
RO# 10503
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 14:10:59
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The Dry battery was over charged constantly. Look at your Battery charger to see if the "intelligent" part is working.
I'd bet it's too late to save the Cooked battery, but if you try, put it somewhere else in the system.
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Homeport: AL.
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 14:40:32
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If you are mixing a pair as in parallel they both should be the chemistry (type). You can get away with a flooded charger on an AGM as long as it is a 3 stage charger. AGM's do like more voltage then a wet cell battery when charging and their float voltage is typically higher.
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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stmbtwle
RO# 7934
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 16:55:48
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I'm guessing the dry battery had a bad cell, and the other 5 cells were overcharged and boiled dry. Doesn't really matter... that battery is shot. If it's still in warranty take it back.
If the others still have water I think they're OK.
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| Willie. She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! |
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Homeport: Tampa Bay, FL
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getakey
RO# 32379
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 17:34:02
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I thought AGM can be mixed with Flooded. Gel batteries require special charge setting.
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Homeport: CA
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d r young
RO# 30527
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 17:49:32
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My plan was to keep the flooded battery bank and add the 2 AGM's. I thought you could run them together?
If not I will have to rethink. Maybe add a Ioslator?
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| 1988 Carver Mariner 3297 |
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Homeport: Portland Or
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 18:05:14
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You can use the new pair as long as the 2 that will be tied together are both AGM. I assume this will be your house bank? If you mix them for charging thats ok not optimum but it will work.
This link should help explain the differances and what is optimum.
http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/1081.pdf
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
Edited by - Billylll on May 24 2012 18:07:43 |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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d r young
RO# 30527
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 Posted - May 24 2012 : 23:28:20
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Well looks like both flooded batteries are bad, the 2nd one was real low on fluid and the one with the problem didnt take a charge. Good news is, the place i bought them took them back and refunded the purchase price and my cores! I bought them last June so they were under 1 yr old! Happy Birthday to me! Now to get those AGM's in!
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| 1988 Carver Mariner 3297 |
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Homeport: Portland Or
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 23:31:45
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You will not regret the all AGM battery system. Is your charger a 3 stage charger?
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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d r young
RO# 30527
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Posted - May 24 2012 : 23:38:23
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yes it is!
It's a Guest 2620A
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| 1988 Carver Mariner 3297 |
Edited by - d r young on May 24 2012 23:40:56 |
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Homeport: Portland Or
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 25 2012 : 00:19:06
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If that charger has a auto battery equalization setting turn it off. AGM's do not like equalization as a general rule. Wet Cell's do as long as you keep an eye on the fluid levels. Many chargers have an automatic equalization mode that comes on once a month. Make sure this is disabled. If your's doesn't have the equalization feature all the better.
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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d r young
RO# 30527
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Posted - May 25 2012 : 00:44:36
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There are no switches on it at all, only indicator lights to tell you what stage the batteries are at.
Im thinking that one battery was defective from the get go.
When I first installed the charger, it never seemed to go in the last charge stage, "Float" on that bank. And our batteries would only last about 24 hrs. We dont have that much draw, Fridge, a few lights at night, Tv, and of course the water pump and head. During the day only the fridge would be a draw and maybe the radio.
Seemed we should go longer on 2 31M's.
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| 1988 Carver Mariner 3297 |
Edited by - d r young on May 25 2012 00:45:00 |
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Homeport: Portland Or
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getakey
RO# 32379
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Posted - May 25 2012 : 01:26:13
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quote:
Originally posted by d r young
There are no switches on it at all, only indicator lights to tell you what stage the batteries are at.
Im thinking that one battery was defective from the get go.
When I first installed the charger, it never seemed to go in the last charge stage, "Float" on that bank. And our batteries would only last about 24 hrs. We dont have that much draw, Fridge, a few lights at night, Tv, and of course the water pump and head. During the day only the fridge would be a draw and maybe the radio.
Seemed we should go longer on 2 31M's.
With Fridge and incidentals, I have never got more than 8 hours on a big 8D battery
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Homeport: CA
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Radioactive
RO# 3238
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Posted - May 25 2012 : 02:41:15
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2 size 31's will have a total ( max ) cap of 100A each.
That means a total ( max ) of 2000 watts going from 100% to 0%. In real life, you have a total of around 1000 to 1200 watts. That is not a great deal ( from a landlubber's point of view ).
Fridge, a few hrs TV, fresh water and head ( all variable ) could be a large requirement.
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Sidebar:
What is "2000 watts" in terms I can relate to?
It is equal to one household circuit, fully loaded for one hour. It is equal to one 100 watt bulb operated for 20 hours.
A Mr. Coffee uses power at a rate of 850 watts/hr. Yes it cycles, but you can assume that one pot of coffee will use up around 350 watts.
Power calcs are not only a function of total storage capacity, but also load requirements and charging capacity. It must be measured as a system, if you want good or better results.
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I'm glad you discovered the problem!
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Bill
"No matter where you go, there you are." -- Buckaroo Bonzai
"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." - Kenneth Grahame |
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Homeport: MS Gulf Coast
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mixman
RO# 25362
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Posted - May 25 2012 : 06:32:09
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quote:
Originally posted by d r young
And our batteries would only last about 24 hrs.
When you say "last", was that until 50% discharged or until completely dead? Flooded batteries shouldn't be taken any lower than 50% of their capacity or their life is greatly shortened.
I've heard AGM batteries can be taken lower than 50%, but I have yet to see a solid number quoted.
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--Kurt
17 knot cruise at 5mpg (3.5/gph). Two hulls are better than one! |
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Homeport: Chesapeake Bay
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 25 2012 : 06:44:03
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A well made AGM while not ideal can recover from an extended full discharge.
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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mixman
RO# 25362
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Posted - May 25 2012 : 06:49:24
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I think I'll keep my 50% discharge floor in practice then. My East Penn AGM batteries are most likely middle-of-the-road quality. The easier one is on batteries, the longer they last.
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--Kurt
17 knot cruise at 5mpg (3.5/gph). Two hulls are better than one! |
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Homeport: Chesapeake Bay
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stmbtwle
RO# 7934
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Posted - May 25 2012 : 07:15:47
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A fridge can draw over 100ah a day, by itself; it can kill a group 31 deader'n a mackerel in 24 hrs, or pull a pair of them down to or below 50%. Add in the "incidentals" and it's not surprising you're having battery problems. You need either more batteries or less load.
In addition to the new batteries you need a battery monitor (Link, Bogart, whatever) so you'll KNOW what is going on and can act accordingly. It'll earn it's keep.
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| Willie. She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! |
Edited by - stmbtwle on May 25 2012 07:18:02 |
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Homeport: Tampa Bay, FL
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d r young
RO# 30527
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 00:17:16
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Im thinking I need to double my house batteries.
I do need a monitor for sure.
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| 1988 Carver Mariner 3297 |
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Homeport: Portland Or
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stmbtwle
RO# 7934
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 05:01:44
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quote:
Originally posted by d r young
Im thinking I need to double my house batteries.
I do need a monitor for sure.
+1 on both (would that be a +2?)
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| Willie. She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! |
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Homeport: Tampa Bay, FL
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 06:59:03
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I would also consider upgrading the charger to a higher capacity charger in addition to doubling the house bank size. Last night I feel asleep earlier then normal and I had forgotten I had turned off the charger on the inverter to test the solar system and my house bank all day and night yesterday. With everything still left on my resting voltage was still 12.8VDC 7 hours after sunset. My frig/ freezer draws 2.8 amps per hour or less then 75AH's for a full 24 hour period if it runs constantly which it doesn't.
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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stmbtwle
RO# 7934
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 07:42:22
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That sounds like a nice fridge. How many cu ft and how many $$$?
Fridges are like anything else; if you plug 'em in and forget 'em they draw a lot less power than if you're constantly opening them to get cold beverages, snacks.
Without putting them on a kill-a-watt or an amp-hr meter though, you really can't tell how much they draw over time.
Insulation matters. A friend of mine took an old 120v unit and glued 3/4" styrofoam all over it; he claimed it worked wonders for the power consumption. Looked like hell, but probably wouldn't matter with a built-in.
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| Willie. She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! |
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Homeport: Tampa Bay, FL
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 08:27:53
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Norcold model DE0061T about 7 cubic feet.
I suggest with any boat fridge you have ventelation behind the unit and oversize the DC feed wires.
Willie I don't remember what I paid for it about 5 years ago. I can check and report back.
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
Edited by - Billylll on May 26 2012 08:31:16 |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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stmbtwle
RO# 7934
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 09:01:50
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Don't worry about it. I had a Norcold portable some years ago. It was a nice fridge but it cost more then than the household fridge I have now, 20 years later.
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| Willie. She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! |
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Homeport: Tampa Bay, FL
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 09:09:12
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I know the argument and pro's and con's over Norcold's Willie. I will say my boat had the original Norcold from 1993 it still worked great but drew about 6 amps, it ran more then it was in standby, the front lower door seal was toast and the door had rusted in a bottom corner. Actually the marina cleaned up the old frig, replaced the door seal and put it in another boat. It's still going strong after 19 years. The reasons the unit was replaced is that I wanted a more efficient unit and one with a modern look to match the custom refinished cabinets in my boat.
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
Edited by - Billylll on May 26 2012 20:43:39 |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 17:38:46
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Willie I just found what would probably be a great set up for 12VDC refrigeration this unit will do 7 cubic feet using less than 24AH a day.
http://www.technauticsinc.com/blue.htm
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
Edited by - Billylll on May 26 2012 17:40:09 |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 19:21:12
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quote:
Originally posted by d r young
Im thinking I need to double my house batteries.
I do need a monitor for sure.
I'm not going to spend money for you but this small under counter marine frig draws so little current that a 75 watt solar panel and your group 31's with LED lighting would be the ticket.
Here is a link and the specifications.
http://www.technauticsinc.com/EcoFridge.htm
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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stmbtwle
RO# 7934
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 20:04:17
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Well, to be honest I think there's more to it than AC vs DC. Most fridges are made to be cost-effective FOR THE MANUFACTURER, and while there's no doubt in my mind that more efficient fridges can be or are being built, they're going to be much more expensive. I can replace my fridge with a Whirlpool 9.7 cu ft fridge for less than $350 (you can't buy a Norcold for twice that). It'll draw about 1kwh a day or considering inverter losses about 100ah/day. Were I to add some (cheap) insulation I'm sure I could bring that consumption down.
The "coolblue" claims 24ah/day for 7 cu ft, but I'd have to build my own "well insulated" fridge, and they don't say HOW WELL insulated, or for what total cost??? Is it worth it? If I were a world-cruising sailboater, maybe. For a powerboat ALREADY equipped with more than enough solar panels to run what I have, maybe not.
As for the Ecofridge... If I were to buy THREE of them I'd still have less capacity than what I have now, and 25ah/day x 3 fridges = 75ah/day. Is the 25ah/day worth the price? Maybe.
If efficiency was the only criteria, we'd all be driving sailboats.
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| Willie. She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! |
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Homeport: Tampa Bay, FL
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 20:39:14
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You won't get any argument from me Willie however I think the posters boat is relatively smaller then your vessel and doesn't have a generator, inverter/high current charger or a single solar panel. It's a lot of money but that 3 cubic foot frig might be an ideal replacement for someone with a 25 to 35' boat with limited battery space and no alternative charging other then 10 amps per leg at the dock. But I am making assumptions.
They do have a PDF describing making a 1/3 freezer & 2/3 8 cubic foot box for the 12VDC system they sell.
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
Edited by - Billylll on May 26 2012 21:09:00 |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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mixman
RO# 25362
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 21:32:35
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We just dragged the boat north on i95 600 miles today (FL toNC so far). Refrigerator and freezer running we had 98% left in the house bank when we stopped for the night 12 hours later. We are at a rest stop with lights and fans on for the night. No worries.
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--Kurt
17 knot cruise at 5mpg (3.5/gph). Two hulls are better than one! |
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Homeport: Chesapeake Bay
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 26 2012 : 22:12:40
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Kurt glad to hear all is well with the trip home. What type and size is your primary frig?
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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stmbtwle
RO# 7934
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Posted - May 27 2012 : 05:46:54
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Kurt as much as you trailer that thing you should install a windmill....
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| Willie. She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! |
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Homeport: Tampa Bay, FL
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 27 2012 : 05:56:38
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I have one of those in the box still if you want to try it Kurt, good idea Willie.
Maybe Kurt will want to buy it after he tries it?
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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stmbtwle
RO# 7934
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Posted - May 27 2012 : 06:00:17
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I think the efficiency of a small built-in fridge could be easily improved simply with more insulation around the sides of the box, and making sure there's good ventilation for the coils. It would cost a lot less than a whole new fridge.
I have my doubts about the claims of some of the fridges; it's easy to reduce the apparent current draw of a fridge by installing a smaller compressor, but it'll have to run for a longer time and the saving could be end up being a lot less or even nonexistent. I think insulation is where it's at, and all but the very best fridges could benefit from more insulation. If I can figure out how to add insulation to mine without it looking like hell, I'll do it.
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| Willie. She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! |
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Homeport: Tampa Bay, FL
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rawidman
RO# 25110
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Posted - May 27 2012 : 07:52:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Radioactive
2 size 31's will have a total ( max ) cap of 100A each.
I'm assuming you meant to say "AH" or amp hours.
Two group 31 batteries in parallel will have a capacity of 200 amp hours technically, but you shouldn't discharge them more than 50% so for practical purposes, you have 100 AH.
I normally have four group 31 AGM batteries as a house bank but I'm on a cruise and a weel into the cruise my starting battery failed so I replaced it with one from the house bank. That leaves me with three but I haven't had any problems running the refrigerator, microwave, lighting, etc.
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Ron
2000 Camano Troll |
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Homeport: Charleston, SC
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Radioactive
RO# 3238
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Posted - May 27 2012 : 08:25:16
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<< Ron, I did mention in the next sentence that though the rated max capacity is 100 AH each ( ie: 200AH ) that in practical use, only about half of that should be used... ( assuming 95% to around 40% or so, less down-rating for temp and/or age ) >>
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Bill
"No matter where you go, there you are." -- Buckaroo Bonzai
"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." - Kenneth Grahame |
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Homeport: MS Gulf Coast
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 27 2012 : 08:26:31
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Ron I did mean amp hours thanks for the clarification.
My frig meets and actually exceeds the specs Willie but I paid $1200 for it 5 years ago.
Like I mentioned I replaced it because I built my entire vessel to run off of 12VDC.
The only exception being the 2 AC units and hot water heater if I don't run the one of the engines to use it's heat exchanger. I have a hotwater idea using solar water panels but I am out of real estate on the hardtop and don't want to mount anything on the decks.
It has done extremely well on extended periods away from a marina, 4-5 days on the hook. The real boost came when I added the additional 180 watt panel to the existing solar charging system.
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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rawidman
RO# 25110
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Posted - May 27 2012 : 09:58:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Radioactive
<< Ron, I did mention in the next sentence that though the rated max capacity is 100 AH each ( ie: 200AH ) that in practical use, only about half of that should be used... ( assuming 95% to around 40% or so, less down-rating for temp and/or age ) >>
Just trying to clarify it for those who know little or nothing about the subject. The rest of us understood.
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Ron
2000 Camano Troll |
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Homeport: Charleston, SC
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mixman
RO# 25362
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Posted - May 27 2012 : 15:50:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Billylll
I have one of those in the box still if you want to try it Kurt, good idea Willie.
Maybe Kurt will want to buy it after he tries it?
Bill
Thanks, but no thanks. My solar panel is quite enough for us. And I can keep that up while going under bridges on I-95!
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--Kurt
17 knot cruise at 5mpg (3.5/gph). Two hulls are better than one! |
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Homeport: Chesapeake Bay
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mixman
RO# 25362
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Posted - May 27 2012 : 15:54:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Billylll
Kurt glad to hear all is well with the trip home. What type and size is your primary frig?
Bill
Bill,
We're finally home. What a drive!
My refrigerator is a top-load box with an external compressor. I replaced the unit about 2 years ago with an Isotherm. It draws about 4 amps and runs for 90 seconds every 5 minutes. My freezer is a 54-quart Waeko top-load portable. It draws about 3-4 amps. It's so quiet it's hard for me to tell when it's on. All I know is we are good to go with our single 230-watt panel. I can even invert power for TV, ice making and run that water-maker you sold me as long as I do it during high sun time. The generator is always there as a back-up, but we've gone from nearly 100 hours a year on the generator to less than 20 after the panel last year.
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--Kurt
17 knot cruise at 5mpg (3.5/gph). Two hulls are better than one! |
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Homeport: Chesapeake Bay
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stmbtwle
RO# 7934
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Posted - May 28 2012 : 03:43:42
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Billy I tried solar hot water some years ago, and removed it. Heating the water is easy, STORING it on a boat is another story. Most boats have only 6-10 gal hot water capacity and once that's gone, it's gone. Even if you don't use it it'll probably be cold by morning. If you can work within those limits you can make it work.
I have solar water heating in my home and love it... but my water heater is 80 gallons. I can only wish I had a boat big enough to carry the weight!
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| Willie. She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! |
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Homeport: Tampa Bay, FL
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d r young
RO# 30527
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Posted - May 28 2012 : 23:53:20
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Well my 2 AGM 34m's kept up all weekend. We did run the genset for a couple hours each day, to watch a movie or cook. Our fridge is the original one Carver installed in the boat, norcold. It's noisy too. Were looking for a replacement, but it works and runs alot.
We do have 2 solar panels but they are aprox 1'x3' so they help some but not much. Wished I could have bought the 31m's on sale!
The charger while small, did fully charge them to float mode so I know it's working correctly. Im sure my original 31 was bad from the get go.
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| 1988 Carver Mariner 3297 |
Edited by - d r young on May 28 2012 23:54:46 |
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Homeport: Portland Or
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stmbtwle
RO# 7934
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Posted - May 29 2012 : 05:42:19
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Congratulations!
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| Willie. She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! |
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Homeport: Tampa Bay, FL
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 29 2012 : 06:36:27
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Congratulations as well!
Do your solar panels have a controller or are they just hooked up to a battery or 2 batteries directly? I am asking how are they wired and do you know their peak wattage?
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
Edited by - Billylll on May 29 2012 06:38:24 |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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Topic |
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Found dry battery today
