Battery Challenges on CW28

[cutwater4me]

I have made several 3-day trips to Catalina Island on my new CW 28 and each time, I have had low battery issues on the house batteries. I think I have figured out the crux of the problem. My refrigerator, which draws about 5 amps is taking out way more juice out of the battery than my meager 20 amp charger, which is powered by my 3.5 KW Nexgen generator, can put back in the battery. I was running the generator and charger for about 2 hours a day but that does not come close to putting back the amperage I have taken out of the batteries. It seems like the only way to prevent having to run the generator 5 hours per day, is to shut off the refrigerator for several hours a day.

Have any of you had similar challenges? A couple owners have mentioned they can go for a few days without running the generator. That seems impossible unless the fridge is shut off?

The group's advice on this will be most helpful.

Kurt
CW2819

 

[Dorman]

We have also had battery problems. I changed house batteries replacing them with 2 new size 31 AGM batteries with 220 reserve minutes each. On our first trip with the new batteries I noticed a definite improvement, but I am still not sure we can set three days in one spot. We do not have a generator but we do have a solar panel which will generate 5+ amps at mid day in summer. If you do decide to switch batteries I recommend Batteries Plus. I purchased two batteries for less then $300 each, I got 10% off for buying more than one battery plus I got a $30 dollar rebait for each battery. Batteries Plus also has marine LED bulbs for a decent price. I don't know how low you have your refer set? We keep our refer set at 3 and put items that really need to be frozen the in back of the freezer compartment.
Good Luck
Dorman

 

[Crewdog]

We supplement and sometimes replace our onboard refrigeration needs with a small Dometic Cooler/Freezer;

This only draws about 4 amps, and will use less power than the built-in fridge.

Last few times we've overnighted without shore power, I've just turned off the built-in and left the portable going for things that may spoil. Turned on the built-in in the morning when solar starts working again and anticipate engine start to recharge batteries.

Won't need the Chardonnay or canned drinks till a little later in the day.

 

[hughesdave123]

I added a 3rd house battery to my 25 , in the starboard locker . I had balancing issues wife and kids on port side and only me on the starboard side boat always leans port . Now it doesn't .

I also added 2 solar panels to the roof rack.

My battery problems were the fridge , and the wife and kids charging their electronics all the time .

I also TURN OFF the radar. that sucker with all the other electronics chew through some electric.

 

[HRowland]

With the 20A charger running for 2 hours you are getting less than 40 AH back into the house bank. I added a second charger, a 45A unit from Iota (DLS-45 IQ4 version), that I run in parallel with the factory 20A charger when running the genset. The Mase also has a small internal charger meant for a genset starting battery. With the three chargers I initially get well over 65A until absorption charge phase, but it still stays well over 20A for a long time. When on shore power I do not use the 45A auxiliary charger.

http://www.iotaengineering.com/dls45.htm

You can also add a solar panel.

Howard

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Adding to this discussion, putting in a switch to parallel your thruster battery with your house battery gives you an immediate 50% boost in amp hours. I added an additional thruster battery, doubling my amp hours when all four are in parallel. This, along with the solar panel, really helps when you are on the hook. Doesn't solve your low generator capacity, but reduces the need to rely on it.

 

[hughesdave123]

By the way , the 140w solar panel from the factory only yields like 11amps in return . and that's on a perfect angle sunny ass day . most I ever see is like 7 amps return . So I added a second solar panel on my roof rack.

P = V x I
140 watts = 12 Volts x 11.6 Amps