| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
ssobol
Joined: 27 Oct 2012
Posts: 3559
City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
Photos: SoBelle
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2015 6:59 pm Post subject: Re: battery monitor |
 |
|
| gulfcoast john wrote: | | ... and doesn't require a shunt + extra heavy cables... |
The Victron shunt goes next to the batteries across the ground. In my case I just needed one additional 12" ground wire to install the shunt (from Advance auto parts). There is a phone style cable that goes from the circuit board to the display and it is plenty long enough for a C-Dory (any). |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
gulfcoast john
Joined: 14 Dec 2012
Posts: 1040
City/Region: PENSACOLA
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2010
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Cat O' Mine
Photos: CAT O' MINE
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2015 10:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I personally wouldn't use auto parts of any kind (should be individually tinned copper wire UL marine approved and very expensive) on my boat... but you should use whatever you want on yours. You and the Next Buyer will Decide. Cheers!
John
_________________
John and Eileen Highsmith
2010 Tom Cat 255, Cat O' Mine
Yamaha F150, LXF150 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 21356
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| gulfcoast john wrote: | I personally wouldn't use auto parts of any kind (should be individually tinned copper wire UL marine approved and very expensive) on my boat... but you should use whatever you want on yours. You and the Next Buyer will Decide. Cheers!
John |
John, I must be missing something, but wonder who is suggesting using auto parts? I certainly agree that AWG wire should be used vs SAE, and should be tinned. (AWG is finer strands, and a 10 to 20% larger conductive cross section area, plus tinned to prevent corrosion).
It is nice to have the ability to see how many amps, state of charge etc. But we managed relatively large battery banks (1200 amp hours,--L 16 or Golf Carts), with heavy daily use in larger boats, crossing oceans, with just a simple digital volt meter.) (or before that with a quality analogue voltmeter. As long as you don't discharge a battery less than 12.2 volts, it should have a good life span…(any battery use is a series of compromises).
Several C Brats, have made tables of amp draw vs each appliance or system on the boat, and can figure out very easily what their draw, use, and amount of recharging necessary.
Guys and gals, our C Dorys are simple boats. It is fun to put all of the bells and whistles on, but not essential, or in most cases not necessary. In my case I may put a Victron 700 on my AGM freezer bank, because I want to monitor it, more of a "research" project. Not really essential.
Why adding any appliance (meaning electronics, systems etc), you need to determine, if it is an essential, or just a toy you want to play with. It brings to mind that one of our members has done the "Great Loop" in a 22, with an I pad for navigation and a simple depth sounder, no monitor of battery (may have had two batteries)! You can have just as much fun, and be just as safe on a simple boat…but some want more creature comforts---our choices either way.
_________________
Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ssobol
Joined: 27 Oct 2012
Posts: 3559
City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
Photos: SoBelle
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| thataway wrote: | | ....John, I must be missing something, but wonder who is suggesting using auto parts? I certainly agree that AWG wire should be used vs SAE, and should be tinned. (AWG is finer strands, and a 10 to 20% larger conductive cross section area, plus tinned to prevent corrosion).... |
I am not suggesting that others use auto parts, I just said that's what I did. I don't use my boat in salt water and I have never had any issues with battery cables on any car I have ever had. My cars get a lot more abuse and weather exposure than my boat. Therefore in my situation I feel that it is perfectly reasonable to use auto battery cables (of sufficient gauge) in my boat. I seriously doubt that a foot long ground cable from an auto parts store will have any measurable difference in performance or useful life compared to a "marine" cable in my installation. I guess I'll just have to wait 10 or 15 years and see what happens. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sunbeam
Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Posts: 3990
City/Region: Out 'n' About
State or Province: Other
C-Dory Year: 2002
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Photos: Sunbeam
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 3:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| thataway wrote: |
It is nice to have the ability to see how many amps, state of charge etc. But...[ ...]
Guys and gals, our C Dorys are simple boats. It is fun to put all of the bells and whistles on, but not essential, or in most cases not necessary. |
That's a good point to keep in mind. Our C-Dorys so easily range between super simple and fairly complex, and the complexity is optional.
Too, there's no need to have everything at the same "level." I like my "techy" battery monitors, and find them fun to have; but I'm perfectly happy with the little Baby Whale foot pump, a fan or two, a Porta-potti, and a washcloth and pot of hot water for bathing. Maybe the "odd mixture" wouldn't make sense to someone else, but it suits me (and if/when it doesn't, I'll change it).
It's great to have a boat that can go from overalls to black tie as we see fit  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 21356
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 4:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ssobol, There are several other differences, and one is that the AWG is thinner wire strands, so less likely to break under stress. I happen to use all marine cables--because I have it in my shop--lots of pieces from past projects. (My wife threatens to get a dumpster for my hoarding boat parts!).
I have seen some auto cable (as well as marine) which corroded, and broke.
Salt is more corrosive, but so is fresh water. Keeping connections, and well supported with adhesive shrink wrap is important in all cases. Unfortunately, most auto part stores are not adhesive shrink wrapped.
The other argument, is though you will only use the boat in Fresh Water, the next owner may not-(and VA has some fantastic salt water areas!)
On the other hand a lot of folks use welding cable--again there are mixed review. The wire is finer, but often breaks down, and my feeling is that the insulation is not as good in many cases (also holds true for auto).
Buying from a good supplier is important. We do have one of the wholesale suppliers in Pensacola, and I had never thought about setting up a way that we could get OEM prices…I may look into that when I get home. The Australian distributer stays with us when he is in the US, about once a year. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum
|
|
Search
Private Messages
Profile
Log in
Register
Help
