bottle
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Posts posted by bottle
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Top Cat you have described exactly how my system works and I regularly put a load (boiling a 1 kw kettle for coffee) on the batteries to drag the voltage down to make the solar 'kick in' after cruising because as you say it sees the high voltage and believes the batteries are charged.
It then carries on charging at absorption voltage.
Lots of discussion on here about when batteries are 'fully' charged, the figure banded about is 1% of battery capacity but as we all know that varies with age and usage.
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Other than needing an escape plan (from the canals) go for it.
I know we always warn of the unforeseen but it happens
We know.
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Just cut the holes (above and below) and see how it goes, you may be surprised convection is a wonderful thing and free.
If you then find it is not enough one fan blowing in from the bottom may suffice.
Ensure holes are as big as possible without compromising integrity of cupboard etc.
Side note: I vented the top of the electric cupboard sideways into the coat cupboard and with the built in fan of the combi (Victron) coats are nice and warm
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Fuel boat Kalisto (Mark) may be in the area, give him a ring or text on...zero, seven, seven, zero, 2031718
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The 'scrotes' have their own keys.
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We are wandering.
No blame we always do it.
Jennifer come back, answer a few questions and 'we' can and will help.
Lets start with ,
Your usage (amp.hrs per day)
How (alternator, amp rating..charger, amp rating) and for how long do you charge your batteries?
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Here we go lets discuss this infinitum the simple answer is
Do what you like.
Be prepared to prove to CRT and or the courts that you are complying.
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We had ones that did and now changed to Bedazzled and they do not.
Previous were SMD's new ones are LED's.
ps.
our aerial is FM and always able to pick up DAB. Perhaps just lucky.
Now actually working off log periodic TV aerial.
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Another way of looking at batteries,
It is not so much the type of battery that is important it is the way you treat them.
You can wreck cheap or expensive batteries in days let alone years.
The important thing to know how much amp.hrs you use and the capability of putting them back.
Lets say your usage is 100 amp.hrs per day then the battery bank will need to be twice that plus say 10%.
So a battery bank of 220 amp.hrs. This is the minimum and covers the not letting batteries go below 50% SOC
This is not gospel just an example the bank could be larger but cost of batteries and space to put them comes into it.
Also what you use will need to be replaced plus say 10% because of charging losses.
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Lots of good advice above, let me just comment on this
We've been recommended: Victron Energy 12v 130Ah AGM Deep Cycle Batteries, and have been quoted £225 per battery.
do not go down this line, I speak from experience.
I managed to wreck a set in two and a half years and I looked after them with kid gloves.
Monitoring and always fully charging, when possible, with charging system specifically for AGM's which is different to wet lead acid.
The only proviso I have a fully electric live aboard and use the batteries excessively.
The previous bog standard sealed wet lead acids lasted two and a half years, so figure.
Now have open wet lead acid deep cycle, with charging system adjusted to suit.
Still monitoring but even more detailed now, we shall see.
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Mines about 12 " straight up but is flexible, it is also mag mounted.
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The human thermos flask technique. Wrap yourself up from head to foot with oven foil,(shiny side inwards) If you do it whilst your warm it should keep you warm. If you do it when your cold, it might keep you cold, especially appendages.
This may be the best and correct advice that bizzard has ever given.
Insulate your self and sleeping bag from whatever it is resting on, you will stay warmer.
A flask of hot water wrapped in a towel or similar, saved over night, will make a hot drink in the morning before leaving the cosy sleeping bag.
Wish you well and good luck, Oh. nearly forgot the boat in preference to the car.
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I do not have a Kinver cover but from those I have seen on the cut all have been very well fitted and look great.
When mine needs replacing will almost certainly use them.
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Which one Les?
Kinver canopies or Wilsons of Kinver
Their new incarnation http://www.wilsonsupholstery.co.uk/
Maybe an e-mail, phone call will give the answer.
Edit: see above post.
Second edit: there, their. why did I not spot it before.
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Just before the fortieth one.
Patrick, thank you, for volunteering and good luck in this venture.
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Durite work lamp, magnetic mount.. they do similar with LED's.
Works for me at the stern, starboard side, aimed at wall by the cabin front corner.
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Welcome.
Canals are not salty.
Two usual systems on canals are cassette ( think caravans, small motor homes) or pump out, ( large 'black' tank on board) there is also composting system , that do not actually compost.
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It may be me...
I have never used or carried 'spare', 'back-up', emergency fuel in a can in the last 50 years whether boating or using a vehicle.
The simple solution is watch the gauge or dipstick regularly and fill up when necessary.
No pollution, spillage etc.
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Thanks Ange, the sort of advice I was hoping to get. We all have to start somewhere but it's a job knowing where to start and a bit scary on your own. Thanks again.
but you are not alone, all of us will help as much as we can.
If you find one and there is a link to the advert, start a thread and ask, we will pull it apart after sucking air through our teeth.
It will take time to find the correct boat, first it will be love but then the brain has to engage.
There may be also someone with experience/knowledge that will accompany you to a boat viewing.
When you find one, I, as many others would advise, is get the boat surveyed fully, costs, but should save you buying a lemon.
Any offer you make should be subject to survey
If you are willing to disclose what type, size of boat you would like and budget* you have, I am almost sure someone will find a few available and point you in the right direction.
* remember you will need a contingency pot, for the unexpected as the unexpected will turn up. There is also licence and insurance.
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Not sure it's in the manual but I do recall it being written in typical Gibbo style as "A battery at less than 50% capacity is broken. SmartGauge doesn't measure broken batteries."
I was not sure either but thought I had read it somewhere, probably as you say one of Gibbo's posts.
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I think 4 hours a day is way over when you start to monitor your charging tho and know how to read what the monitor is saying.
Is it?
Depends on battery bank size, usage and the ability to charge.
The only way to know is to monitor correctly, same hymn sheet.
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Just for info of course SG is direct to the posts do you really think I am that stupid!
Last night watched Three hours if tv/pvr inverter refused this morning at 0700 with SG reading 82%.
My conclusion is that because the batts are likely to be at less than 50% of their origional capacity SG is telling lies.
So I hope to get some Crown DC130 in Leicester on Wednesday meanwhile cut back on bat usage as much as poss
Just for the record, I do not think you stupid.
As for the bit in red, isn't that somewhere in the manual.
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The easiest way is to use a relative or friend, that you trust, address.
If they claim any benefits, such as single occupancy for Council Tax purposes it will have an effect so try to pick one without.
Do not put c/o (care of) on any paperwork you have to fill in.
Most places just ask for an address, just give the address you are using but not any further information.
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Yes I do understand SG ( for the record I had one of the early prototypes for testing) only reports available capacity it would however need a cycle or so to work it out so if capacity dips (as it did) and then recovers it wouldn't see it.
Nicks theory about bad joint could be possible but unlikely as I did disconnect the links on the batteries but not the feeds to the system.
Still Ill see how it goes it has happened before after a period on float but never this bad and SG did report it last time by showing a reduced % reading. Oh I also got an 02 error on the first day but tbats just low volts for battery type.
Thought you did, my post was just in case someone else did not.
Maybe someone with a similar problem and doing a search.
Battery smart gauge and charger
in Boat Equipment
Posted
As above but whichever one you go for just ensure it is at least a three stage charger and has a setting for AGM's.
ps
if charger is ON and your 12v load is less than its output, the charger will 'run' the equipment, any excess will go to the batteries if they need it.
If load is higher than its output the batteries will assist, when load reduces the batteries will be re-charged but you knew that.
I have a bias for Victron