Can someone educate me on Optima Batteries?

flapbreaker · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:35 am Post subject:

For anyone interested I just got a response back from raymarine detailing the power consumption of some of their products.

http://raymarine.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/raymarine.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1280

thataway · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject:

Flapbreaker, you might consider solar cells--even the cheap ones will keep the battery charged up with no current draw. I use the smallest on my 19 foot RV I keep in Vegas, and the batteries are always fully charged when I arrive--even after 6 months.

Doryman · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:42 pm Post subject:

The solar pannels will still make some power on a cloudy day. Generally 20 to 30% of the output on a bright sun day will be put out on a cloudy day. Of course it depends on the density of the cloud (dark clouds will allow less light). Even on a bright day, the solar pannel will output its max when the sun is at the right angles to the pannel, and in the morning and afternoon produce less power.

Lets say you have a 600 milli amp pannel--it will still be producing 100 to 200 milli amps on a cloudy day--and should be enough to keep up with any loss of the battery.

SeaSpray · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:04 pm Post subject:

Hi flapbreaker,

It is interesting to hear that the radar on a C80 system is alway in standby. I added radar after my system was installed and I have only had it on less than 10 times. It seems like I have had to turn mine on every time. Maybe I just did not notice it being in standby but I thought it was completely off until I turned it on.

flapbreaker · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:46 pm Post subject: