Deep Cycle or Starter

[hellosailor]

"Hello sailor, you don't get it yet.Hello sailor, you don't get it yet."
J,. I get it. I got it from the first. I just prefer to do it differently, when I don't have to do a kludge job.

Gord-
Good numbers, but then again carrying capacity, voltage drop, and the tendency to overheat and burst into flames also all vary with the insulation rating, the environment, oil degradation of the insulation in engine spaces...all that good stuff.

When I found out how many house fires are caused by simple electrical failures in najor applicances, and in wall warts, even the UL/CSA approved ones....I could really enjoy having a master OFF switch to throw, no matter where my bed was located.[g]

[vacendak]

re: charging separate battery

IMHO installing 24/24 converter is a good idea

[jscott]

I suppose another alternative is to install a normal battery charger forward, off a 120 volt inverter cicuit as well, bring the 1/10 the amps forward and a standard 14 ga line.

[vacendak]

IMHO separate charger

- costs more
- needs extra AC wiring
- does not help charging bowthruster battery in cruise

[vacendak]

IMHO separate charger

- costs more
- needs extra AC wiring
- does not help charging bowthruster battery in cruise

[jscott]

yup good points.

I have run both DC and AC systems, in the end I think I would run AC through out the boat, with some DC. But still costs more. You can always leave the inverter on and that will take power from aft forward, not as efficient as the DC trickle charge either.

[jscott]

The ampacity of 14 ga is 15 amps (for most normal wires and insulation) the circuits are protected to that level, the 3% votlage drop is not the ampacity limit it is just to prevent excessive Vdrop, for most applications.

Ampacity is the amount of current that a coductor can carry safely.

[Badsanta]

You'all make great points and very informitive. But when I am lifting or lowering my anchor, I am normaly moving the boat, stoping or starting and may have to controll the boat, so I will always have my motor running. I dont want to lift an anchor and then find the current a little strong and unable to manuver. But thats me, always to caucious.