My experience is that you need to keep your batts topped up with perhaps a small
solar panel and your need a large capacity
alternator fades.
Use large capacity
batteries, limit your loads and don't get very discharged before
charging.
I have had poor luck with large output alternators. Either they are not working, or the smart
regulator is limiting their output, or batts are never discharged enough to demand lots of amps.
This may vary if you are
live aboard and then your
electrical needs may shoot up and you need a different strategy. Shiva has an
engine drive refer so the
engine is run when we are aboard at least an hour or so a day minimum to cool the refer. At the same time we create hot
water and charge the batts. Our
motor is running when we come and go from
anchorages and always on for using the
windlass and we will
motor sail in light air, especially if we want to get someplace for some reason... like to walk the
dogs or buy provisions.
Smart regulators probably extend
battery life and a pair of 8Ds are expensive. Taking measures to extend their life with proper
charging is key... and shoving oodles of amps in short bursts may not be the best approach to extending their
service life. Bill T???? what say you?