Chuck;
Im charging 460 AH of house bank (4 deep cycle batteries) with the 45 amp alternator that is stock on a Westerbeke 36 hp engine. In addition, there is an echo charger that charges a small 24DC battery under the v-berth (that powers the Lecra-San and the anchor windlass). The echo charger allows controlled current to flow from the house bank when there is high voltage there (14v or so, IIRC) during charging and the secondary battery is at a low voltage (12.0 or so?). The boat sits for long periods of time without being connected to shore power, with the only load on the house bank being the bilge pump. I was on the boat on Tuesday. The house bank was at 12.53V or about 95% of capacity after 7 ½ weeks of inactivity. The Group 27DC start battery is still at 12.59v. All in all, it is much like being on a mooring for an extended period of time. Running my engine for about 45 minutes will restore both house and start batteries to full charge. Your yard may be justified in the in saying that your 35 amp alternator would be taxed to recharge your batteries if they were badly depleted after a day of running your fridge and other electric loads while at anchor. When fully depleted to 50% charge, you would be down something like 150AH and need to run the engine at higher speeds to give max output from the alternator for around 5 hours to recharge. But for the typical discharge levels you would see from moderate time on the mooring your stock alternator should not be overtaxed. Rick Brass Washington, NC From: CnC-List [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chuck Gilchrest via CnC-List Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 4:11 PM To: [email protected] Cc: Chuck Gilchrest <[email protected]> Subject: Stus-List Batteries all charged up? Does anyone out there charge a pair of Group 31 batteries using the lower output alternator? Chuck Gilchrest Half Magic 1983 LF 35 Padanaram, MA
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