TomCat's Battery Charger

[Mike...]

Hello.

The TomCat came with a Guest 2621 to charge its three batteries.

What does the group think of this charger?
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mike

[matt_unique]

Works...slowly...but works.

[Mike...]

Matt, is there a preferred model?
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mike

[matt_unique]

Some C-Brat's with high DC power demands have opted for models that can charge more/faster. I think Dr. Bob and perhaps Warren? installed a higher capacity charger.

The stock charger has offered plenty for my needs though. For example, last weekend the wife and I cruised 110nm. The first leg was 2 hours running the refer and electronics the whole trip down. Once at a slip, I switched the refer to shore power and switched on the bat charger. Within a few hours she was all charged up.

[thataway]

The provided charger is "inadequate" for us. It puts out 5 amps for each starting battery and 10 amps for the house battery. We put in a Prosine 40 amp charger. I might have considered the 50 or 60 amp multi battery unit "TruCharge 2". Also MasterVolt master charge, is a high output unit with a good reputation. BUT, you have to have the battery banks for these bigger chargers. I have replaced the original batteries with Group31's and then added a second bank of group 31's. I left the original charger on the house and engine start--and then the 40 amp on the two additional batteries. These "extra" batteries are used to run the refer or inverter. Now if you wanted to put in 4 golf carts, and a big inverter, I would recommend the Magum MS 2012U orMS 2812U. These have either 100 or 125 amp charger, plus a good monitering system.

[Mike...]

Hi Again.

[thataway]

Mike, the question is not as crazy as it sounds. I have a friend who is finishing a 57 foot power cat which runs only on DC power. As I recollect, he has a 200 amp 24 volt DC alternator, running off a small diesel. He has 24 volt battery system (somewhere in the 2000 amp range)--each 2 volt cell is about 300 lbs.-12 of them to make the 24 volt bank. He runs two 3 KW 240 volt AC inverters to power AC, water maker etc. It is a very complex system--and expensive.

But to use a Honda EU 2000i there will be too much loss to do this. You will have loss between the AC generator, and the battery charger, the battery charager and battery and battery and inverter etc.

There is a 2400 and 2800 watt Yahama genset which puts out a bit more power than the Honda EU2000i. It may be enough to start some of the 11,000 or 13,500 BTU AC units.

Although you can buy AGM golf carts--that is not the reason to use them. Golf carts generally are good deep cycle batteries, with heavy plates. Yes, a single golf cart is about 70 lbs, vs 130 lbs for a quality 8 D battery.--and two golf carts are close to the power of a 8D. The Group 31's I use are high quality AGM's (I use the AGM because they are inside of the pilot house.). But not specifically deep cycle. They are mounted on end outboard of the aft dinette seat. One of the beauties of AGM batteries is that they can be mounted any way but upside down, and in the cabin. The charger is in the inboard part of that seat and the inverter is in the upper part of the hanging locker.

The prosine Tru charge is only a charger, not a combination. I have a separate inverter.

I think that a 15,000 BTU RV AC unit would be more than necessary for the C Dory Tom Cat or 25. I had a 15,000 BTU unit which cooled a 30 x 8.5 foot RV very well.

But again--probably best to size the generator which will run an AC on its own, and you can run this all night on the 6 gallon remote tank. Again I have not used the Yamaha 2400 or 2800.

[Mike...]

[Captains Cat]

Mike, recently (within the past 6 mos or so) there was a picture of a TC255 with a genset under the rear cockpit seat. I think it was an RV model and a pretty tight fit. Plenty big tho and required relocation of the batteries.

Anyone remember where it was? Not sure if it was a boat for sale or not. Just looked for it but haven't got the time for a thorough search.

Charlie

[Ashley Lynn]

Charlie,

The Tomcat you were thinking of is the "Lazy Susan".

Here is their photo album http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Lazy-Susan&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[Mike...]

[journey on]

Well, Bob/thataway, I'm going to update some of your battery weights.

I'll let you have 130 lbs for the 8D, since I've never lifted one, but I'm going to update your weight for the golph cart battery. I just pulled a pair out of the aft lazerette of Journey On and got an updated practical weight for those batteries. I'd say about 200 lbs. ea.

I know I put them in when I was younger, but using Judy, a couple of wooden levers, a retaining rope and straight muscle (the least of the latter,) to get them out, I can guarantee 200 lbs. within a couple of ounces.

We're going to use them for a summer trip in a trailer, but rest assured new ones will be going back in. No more levering those things around.

Boris

[Matt Gurnsey]

The Tomcat has an option for a livewell, which goes under the aft seat. With that option, the batteries are relocated to the port and starboard lockers in the trsansom on shelves. It would be tight, but two battereis on each side are possible.

The 6 volt golf cart battereis have tremendous storage capacity in a reasonable small package. They don't work well as starting batteries, but for low amp, long term drain (house battery or inverter use) they are more comnpact with about the same power as an 8D.

[Matt Gurnsey]

Concerning thru hulls-

There are an awful lof of boats out there with inboard power, marine AC units, Gen sets, washdowns and multiple head installations that have multiple thru hulls for the water needs, and they stay afloat with zero problems. Adding another thru hull, if properly installed, is not that big a deal, and may solve some issues for you.

The factory was talking about a marine AC option, ducted through the boat, with the main unit installed in the forward part of one of the hulls under the Berth. I have had these units on boats I have owned, and like them very much.

[thataway]

Boris,
I told you not to get those L 16 Golf carts at 168 lbs each--and 440 amps! (actually they are used in large floor scrubbers).... You need to put in one of those davits to lift the batteries out...

As for the 3 KW Westerbeke--listen to one in a boat before you buy! They are much noiserier than the Honda. Now you have an inboard engine, and have to use all of the safety precautions that go with an inboard =--and risk of fire and explosion. Getting away from the beauty of the outboard powered simple boat.

Also for maintance you will have to cut out the front of the aft seat, to get to the oil filter, lift pump, heat exchanger etc. It all can be done--as shown in that Tom Cat--but I sure would not do it.

Perment mounting? The Glacier Bay's 2690 had a fiberglass box for the Honda EU2000i as a factory option. If you can find a used GB 2690 and measure the box, you might make one. It would go on the center of the engine bracket--but then you would have to get over it, if you left the boat over the stern. We often board the boat from the stern; in the water, from the dinghy etc.

Why not lift it out of a box in the cockpit-when you don't need it, you leave it at home. I use the Garhauer davit to lift the Honda out of a locked box in the cockpit--and put it on the crate on the engine bracket.
Even though I life in a very safe area, I still take that Honda out of the boat if I am going to be gone a length of time, and when not using the Honda, it is locked up. They are very easy to steal.

As far as a larger generator-I have not used one--but there is the option of two EU 2000i, which weigh less than the Eu3000i.