Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 14-12-2022, 03:33   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: La Spezia
Boat: Grand Soleil 42
Posts: 85
Introduction and Seeking Advice on Core System

Hello everyone! After years sailing, studying and chartering short and long term, to make sure I was committed to the live and sail lifestyle, I have finally moved in, this summer, to a 1992 Grand Soleil 42 with my dog Biba, and am living happy as a liveaboard with nary a trouble in the gulf of La Spezia. For my question below, consider that I am still working on shore and so for the next 3-5 years I will only be cruising summers in the Med, with 1-2 days passage and 5-10 days at a time off a dock.

I have been slowly working on "The List" we all have, starting from security items and moving toward the nice-to-haves. It's time for me to upgrade the existing 2013 2x95 Ah lead-acid batteries with an ESolar MPPT solar controller converting 2x100W panels.

I am looking for your advice on upgrading the core system.

If I am not mistaken (photos attached), I have an as-is situation of having shore-power to a transformer and basic monitoring relay (Tele UH50V) that charges for 80 minutes when voltage drops below 13V. This leads to a basic Esolar MPPT max 40A which leads to two batteries from 2013 95Ah and everything is in parallel. The two 100 volt panels put out only about 10 amps on a sunny day. Pretty basic and considering the previous owner used these two for both starting and house bank (autopilot, vhf, gps/plotter, running lights, refrigerator, interior lightsx9, and the usual pumps and fans, plus laptops, tablets, phones, windlass) that it is still running and holding charges, but starting is getting a bit sluggish, so I want to make the Christmas project to replace this (and seek your advice on what not to do, alternatives, and what to keep.)

After reading everything I could find in this forum and following discussions for the last few months I am planning to toss the old charger, and put in 1 95Ah lead-acid for starter and 6xZenith deep-cycle 6V 225Ah for house, giving me 675Ah for house, charged from a Xantrex Freedom XC 80A inverter/charger (or equivalent over 70A). I am uncertain if I also need to upgrade my panels. I think I need at least to double the panel coverage to 400W but I am unsure if I need to replace the solar controller and raise the max amps. 400W are not going to be giving me more than 20A. Motor is a VolvoPentaD2 with a 115A alternator, which as I have researched but not measured should give me 35A at idle and up to 100A at cruising speed.

Monitoring usage since summer, I typically run 3-4 amps idle, 7-8 amps in "high mode" when vhf and autopilot are on. Living aboard, I keep my fridge on but i replaced all lights with led. Occasionally, the 12V ampmeter will rise to 14 or even 40 when anchoring and during summer my 12V fans are drawing 4 amps. This gives a general idea which I think is typical for a 42 footer.

I have thought about putting in only 4 6volters giving 450 Ah. Possibly I am being foolish by adding the third 12V cellbank, but having done both this summer, I love sleeping at anchor more than at dock and as soon as I can afford it, a water maker is on The List. Being offshore 1 week or 2 would be heaven. I have room only for a small black-water holding tank, a watermaker and the 6voltx6 + charger bank. Space is tight on a Grand Soleil 42.

Thanks for reading this far. As soon as I have more experience and wisdom I will be sure to give back to the community when I can!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	835E8702-5092-45DF-9689-B70A4A8C9E5A.jpeg
Views:	61
Size:	352.7 KB
ID:	268715   Click image for larger version

Name:	9BEC5279-D687-4FA4-891D-FB4CB97DCAB5.jpeg
Views:	65
Size:	343.4 KB
ID:	268716  

Click image for larger version

Name:	F72CCFC3-AA7C-4EC9-BC0C-CD3D347C1A72.jpg
Views:	66
Size:	435.4 KB
ID:	268717   Click image for larger version

Name:	6DFE1FE7-0C55-4E9B-AB61-B29153D9197B.jpg
Views:	61
Size:	439.1 KB
ID:	268718  

Click image for larger version

Name:	B217934E-DD70-4A88-A910-E81C7F1C0DDA.jpeg
Views:	57
Size:	213.9 KB
ID:	268719   Click image for larger version

Name:	5A9DB1FD-483B-4386-8D4C-CC8207A84A9B.jpeg
Views:	63
Size:	312.4 KB
ID:	268720  

paul.devalier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2022, 05:09   #2
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: La Spezia
Boat: Grand Soleil 42
Posts: 85
Re: Introduction and Seeking Advice on Core System

I've received the following advice from the dock electrician that maybe someone can opine on. All cents are welcome. Even two. The electrician states that :
- more than a 40A charger is overkill even with 675Ah battery bank, and especially with a 115A alternator.
- that the solar array is unsersized but that summers when I am likely to be off grid that it will cover daily use without draining the battery more than 50%.
- that a charger /inverter is not a good idea and that a separate inverter will prevent single point of failure.

Any thoughts?
paul.devalier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2022, 06:16   #3
Registered User
 
S/V Illusion's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Lakewood Ranch, FLORIDA
Boat: Alden 50, Sarasota, Florida
Posts: 3,642
Re: Introduction and Seeking Advice on Core System

Quote:
Originally Posted by paul.devalier View Post
I've received the following advice from the dock electrician that maybe someone can opine on. All cents are welcome. Even two. The electrician states that :
- more than a 40A charger is overkill even with 675Ah battery bank, and especially with a 115A alternator.
- that the solar array is unsersized but that summers when I am likely to be off grid that it will cover daily use without draining the battery more than 50%.
- that a charger /inverter is not a good idea and that a separate inverter will prevent single point of failure.

Any thoughts?
Listen to the electrician
S/V Illusion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2022, 12:07   #4
Registered User
 
chris mac's Avatar

Join Date: May 2015
Location: edmonton alberta
Boat: 1992 lagoon 42 tpi
Posts: 1,745
Re: Introduction and Seeking Advice on Core System

For your planned usage I would agree with the electrician. In 5 years when you are finished (or not) on land, you will be close to needing new batteries again and that would be the time to upgrade your bank and solar.
For 5-10 days usage, you are fine as is
chris mac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2022, 12:08   #5
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: La Spezia
Boat: Grand Soleil 42
Posts: 85
Re: Introduction and Seeking Advice on Core System

Quote:
Originally Posted by chris mac View Post
For your planned usage I would agree with the electrician. In 5 years when you are finished (or not) on land, you will be close to needing new batteries again and that would be the time to upgrade your bank and solar.
For 5-10 days usage, you are fine as is

Thank you Chris.
paul.devalier is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
Advice, core, introduction

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Lagoon 42 - Balsa core or foam core Dirk01 Multihull Sailboats 31 25-07-2021 05:40
To core or not to core? SwampSailor Construction, Maintenance & Refit 22 13-06-2019 16:01
Seeking Opinions on Core problem Danosimp3 Construction, Maintenance & Refit 6 13-02-2012 09:25
To balsa core or not to balsa core? fbchristo Multihull Sailboats 135 04-02-2009 15:13

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:21.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.