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06-05-2017, 09:06
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#1
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pangaea
Posts: 10,856
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A way To Save Charging Time
We discovered a way to cut our charging time by 60%!!
During the off-season I purchased a brand new Mastervolt Mass 24/75 battery charger from a dealer who was liquidating overstock on eBay for only $325, $400 total shipped to MA. Last week a good friend installed the new charger along side our existing Mastervolt 24/50 charger.
I got a quote for a Solbian solar array last season which came in at $10,000 when the mounting wing was included, which would have reduced our need to run the generator down to less than one hour per day. Now with this new additional charger, for only around $700 total, we have basically reached the same goal, added redundancy, saved a ton of money and don't need to look at or live around the solar array.
It turned out fantastic!
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06-05-2017, 09:14
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: canada
Posts: 4,642
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
We often install ~200a of charging on boats (12v).
The gen should always be maxed out while running. Or you are wasting time and fuel.
The gen will only get the batteries up to 85-90%. Though unless you run for 5+ hours. So unless you plug into a dock at least once a week. Solar is still highly recommended otherwise your batteries will suffer . But you could probably do with less now.
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06-05-2017, 09:19
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 474
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
I can see how you might reduce time spent in bulk, but more amps are not going to reduce your absorption time. Solar - while expensive - will charge your batteries all the time and help reduce the risk of sulfation from repeated under-charging.
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06-05-2017, 09:24
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#4
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pangaea
Posts: 10,856
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
Going on our sixth season with the present house battery bank of Trojans. I can purchase five sets of house banks for the cost of a solar array, but no need to since the present bank is still holding a charge.
My absorption time will also be reduced by 60%.
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06-05-2017, 09:29
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,145
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
My absorption time was reduced nearly 100% by going to LiFePo4.
__________________
The question is not, "Who will let me?"
The question is,"Who is going to stop me?"
Ayn Rand
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06-05-2017, 09:54
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#6
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pangaea
Posts: 10,856
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
Quote:
Originally Posted by senormechanico
My absorption time was reduced nearly 100% by going to LiFePo4.
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I got a quote for those as well, it came in at over $12,000 when the new charger and labor was included, plus.... the guarranty was very iffy. I need something that can be fixed anywhere we go, and not need to fly someone in to do the (expensive) repair job.
A pair of Solbian zip-on solar panels for the bimini might be in our near future to top off the batteries. Going to look into it again this week.
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06-05-2017, 10:22
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Diego CA
Boat: Liberty 458
Posts: 2,205
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
The cost benefit of solar is now a no brainer. We too are perfectly happy with flooded lead acid batteries, 3 stage charging and solar as primary power source. The generator is now a backup.
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06-05-2017, 10:55
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#8
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pangaea
Posts: 10,856
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
Our home and office building is now 66% solar powered with a second contract to bring it up to be just over 100% by next November. So we're well aware of solar having installed the first system 11 years ago.
But... on the boat we have a 10kw generator and an engine with a 175w alternator. Sometimes it's faster, cheaper and more efficient to use what we already have. Just spent an hour looking into a pair of Solbian 112w flex panels for the bimini. Here in Italy, they're offering a promotion on them. I'm thinking a pair of them will be more than enough to top off the batteries every day with the generator run cut down to only an hour, even with some shading.
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06-05-2017, 12:40
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: At this moment Basel Switerland
Boat: Endurance 35,1981
Posts: 113
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
Hi Kenomac,
You said that Solbian are offering a promotion on solar panels, my boat is in Fiumicino where was the promotion in Italy ?
Thanks
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06-05-2017, 12:45
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#10
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pangaea
Posts: 10,856
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
This is the company I dealt with last year. They list several "Italy only" promotions on their website.
AsseaBoat - chi siamo
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06-05-2017, 12:51
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: At this moment Basel Switerland
Boat: Endurance 35,1981
Posts: 113
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
Ok Thanks
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06-05-2017, 13:06
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Up the mast, looking for clean wind.
Boat: Currently Shopping, & Heavily in LUST!
Posts: 5,629
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
Given the huge volume of heat that those levels of charging must be producing, what about something simple, like a system for removing some of the heat from the battery compartment continuously. Can't imagine it'd hurt. Might extend their lifespan too.
How much energy are we talking about BTW, ah wise/day I mean?
__________________
The Uncommon Thing, The Hard Thing, The Important Thing (in Life): Making Promises to Yourself, And Keeping Them.
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06-05-2017, 13:34
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#13
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pangaea
Posts: 10,856
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
Quote:
Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED
Given the huge volume of heat that those levels of charging must be producing, what about something simple, like a system for removing some of the heat from the battery compartment continuously. Can't imagine it'd hurt. Might extend their lifespan too.
How much energy are we talking about BTW, ah wise/day I mean?
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150-180ah, sometimes less. Everything goes through the inverter, and all cooking is done while the generator is running. At the same time, we run the watermakers and fuel polishing system in order to put a good load on the generator.
The chargers have cooling fans and the compartment is well ventilated. The battery bank is located in a cool spot under the saloon floor boards, where a cooling exhaust fan is already installed.
Thanks for the suggestion.
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06-05-2017, 14:00
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#14
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Aboard
Boat: Seaton 60' Ketch
Posts: 1,338
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
We just put 3x90a chargers (270 total) on a boat with a 900a/h FLA bank. Significantly (!) reduced genset time and very happy owner. Love solar but if you have reason to run your genset (watermaker, etc) then loading it and getting a good charge is a good option
__________________
Scott Berg
WAØLSS
SV CHARDONNAY
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06-05-2017, 16:42
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,145
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Re: A way To Save Charging Time
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenomac
150-180ah, sometimes less. Everything goes through the inverter, and all cooking is done while the generator is running. At the same time, we run the watermakers and fuel polishing system in order to put a good load on the generator.
The chargers have cooling fans and the compartment is well ventilated. The battery bank is located in a cool spot under the saloon floor boards, where a cooling exhaust fan is already installed.
Thanks for the suggestion.
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GLOBAL WARMING !! OH, THE HUMANITY !!
__________________
The question is not, "Who will let me?"
The question is,"Who is going to stop me?"
Ayn Rand
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