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adi-n-chez
United Kingdom
1980 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Aug 2020 : 21:05:09
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A new thing for us (After 15 yrs of 12v) is 240v shore hookup.
Yes its great, but the majority of the system (Fridge mainly) is on the 12v system off 2x 120Ah batterys.
If (As this weekend) we have spent time afloat on the moorings with the fridge running for 3 days - Weather has not been great so the input from the solar panel has not been that beneficial.
I see various options to aid power input whilst on the moorings;
1) Larger Solar Panel - We have a large area on the rear cabin which can take a much higher wattage panel - Suspect the current one is 40w max.
2) Bigger Batteries - Limited space but could be an option.
3) Charging 12v system via smart charger / float charger whilst on shore power.
I will probably upgrade the solar at some time as there is plenty of space for a large panel.
Preferred option is a charger powered from the shore power that will run the 12v system whilst aboard on the mooring.
Any advice on a smart charger that will provide power to the batteries whilst hooked up? Seems daft to run batteries flat whilst not moving when we have 240v available.
Answers on a postcard............
Adi-n-Chez
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
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df
United Kingdom
5991 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2020 : 21:46:41
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Go for a decent multi output battery charger that will charge both engine and domestic batteries without connecting the two together, try sterling on victron for good quality.
There is a box for about £50 the you connect into the fridge that will switch from 12v to 240v when available but with a decent output charger you can run more 12v stuff while the batteries charge, my victron is a 30amp 3 output and does fine.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
 Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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adi-n-chez
United Kingdom
1980 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2020 : 21:59:28
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Dave,
Do you have a link for your charger?
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
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df
United Kingdom
5991 Posts |
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adi-n-chez
United Kingdom
1980 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2020 : 12:45:31
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Cheers Dave - Got one on order.
Have to say, forgotten how draining on the wallet this boating lark is ! 
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
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adi-n-chez
United Kingdom
1980 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2020 : 13:26:47
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Dave,
As I only currently have 1 battery bank (2x 120Ah) connected in parallel I should only need 1 of the outputs.
This should not effect the solar (Also connected via smart controller)? Presume the smart charger will regulate supply based on what is going in / out?
Did you wire to the battery bank with 10mm cable?
Cheers
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
Edited by - adi-n-chez on 24 Aug 2020 17:48:14 |
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df
United Kingdom
5991 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2020 : 21:20:56
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Any smart regulator should back off if the volts are too high, never tried mixing battery chargers with solar so not sure of any issues.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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adi-n-chez
United Kingdom
1980 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2020 : 21:35:13
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DOH!
Watch this space for a Viking 32 on fire............
At least the beer will be cold 
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
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philihun
United Kingdom
283 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2020 : 19:47:48
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Hi mate, ive bin offline a while so missed your post re charging. Ive now got a Viking 32 with a 12v fridge, tv lights etc. They also run off 240 v via hook up and a Waeco charger /inverter. I also have a 100 watt solar panel which helps on sunny days only. My batteries are 3 x 110 amp leisure batteries. Problem comes on the canal off 240 v hook up.If you only do short journeys the the engine wont replenish the batteries. You might get 3 days before the fridge and tv start to run down the batteries. Result defrosted fridge , no Strictly lol and worst case no engine start. Best solution i found is buy a small inverter gen set,and run it through the 240 hook up for a few hrs every couple of days. Since june iv'e been off grid for 5 weeks on 3 cruises and its worked out fine. Unless youv'e got a tumble dryer a 1000 w set for £200 will suffice.
pr hunt |
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Shore Power
