R-21 Shore Power

M

markm

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
158
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C (Sterndrive)
Vessel Name
Mark Twain
My R-21 is the original configuration prior to the EC. It has two batteries. We are going to the San Juans for a week this summer and we are docking at the city dock. We do not have power other than the batteries and trickle charger. What do we need to add to be able to have a shore tie and run some small appliances without draning the batteries? Any suggestions?

Thanks

Mark
 
Mark, the easiest way is to get a suitable extension cord (Heavy duty) and run it into the boat to run your things. It will also take care of the trickle charger. The harder, permanant way is to install a shore power recepticle, more batteries, either 12V appliances or a large inverter to run the 110V ones and have some permanant 110V recepticles installed inside. I'd go with the easiest way for now and see how much you're gonna use them, the harder way will be $$$$.

Charlie
 
Just to go along with Charlie's advice... you'd do a lot better using a spare portable 12 volt battery or two (WalMart) and then purchase an inverter with enough wattage to run any 110 appliances while away from shore. The portable batteries come with their own trickle charger and, as Charlie suggested, you could use your 110 appliances by plugging in directly to the shore power while at your slip. You'll have a fairly elegant solution for less than $300 that can give you flexibility while at sea.

I recently purchased an 18 watt solar panel that is supposed to be suitable for recharging one or two 12 volt batteries in hopes that I can restore the batteries when on the hook and away from shore power. It came with the regulator to prevent overcharging. I can use the same panel to recharge my onboard house battery as well. We're going to experiment in the next several weeks to see how that works out on an extended weekend cruise at a local lake. I've decided that the house battery is designed to handle essentials like water pump and bilge operation and that it might be smart to have an alternate source for powering other items, hence the portable 12 volt units.

Sorry to ramble on, but that is my tcw.

Texas Steve
 
Steve,

Can you recommend any brand names or what these would look like? Are they car battery sized?

Thanks

Mark
 
For which/what?

Portable batteries...

Solar Panels.....

Inverters.....

Regulators....

You gotta be a little more specific, some of us are "challenged".... :?

Charlie
 
Mark:

I sailed the San Juan and Gulf Islands for 20 years on 2 x 12 volt batteries and some ice. About the only time I used dock electricity was for heat (Boys Cruises in winter). In this area your beer keeps real cool in the bilge. I strongly suggest that you figure out how to operate without 110 volts for your trip. In Washington State and BC there are lots of Marine Parks, and whether on the dock, on a mooring buoy or at anchor, you don't have access to 110 volts. A BBQ can be your best friend. Carry a regular extension cord for your battery charger -- "just in case". A lot of the Washington State commercial docks don't have 15 amp service (household plugs) so you need a 30 amp adaptor (about $50).

Another thing to be aware of in these waters is CURRENT -- more important I believe, than the tide. We usually have 2 tides a day and currents are in the 2 to 4 knot range in most places. Some passes can get very quick and dangerous and should only be travelled at slack. If you Google "Currents Puget Sound" you'll get some information. As an old sailor, I always want to know about the direction of the current for two reasons: (1) I am cheap and running with a current is like coasting down hill and (2) knowing if the wind is with or against the current determines sea state. "With" is calm, "Against" is rough. Check your GPS and see if it has any current data base (don't confuse with a tide data base). "Flood" and "ebb" flow rates are given, but you need a chart to determine which direction is "flood or ebb".

One other poster metioned "Waggoners" -- and I agree, a very good book for this area.

Dave
"Lobo"
Victoria BC
 
Lobo":vhhgwrhw said:
Mark:


Another thing to be aware of in these waters is CURRENT -- more important I believe, than the tide. We usually have 2 tides a day and currents are in the 2 to 4 knot range in most places. Some passes can get very quick and dangerous and should only be travelled at slack. If you Google "Currents Puget Sound" you'll get some information. As an old sailor, I always want to know about the direction of the current for two reasons: (1) I am cheap and running with a current is like coasting down hill and (2) knowing if the wind is with or against the current determines sea state. "With" is calm, "Against" is rough. Check your GPS and see if it has any current data base (don't confuse with a tide data base). "Flood" and "ebb" flow rates are given, but you need a chart to determine which direction is "flood or ebb".

Dave
"Lobo"
Victoria BC
Click to expand...

Dave, a very good point when max speed through the water is 6-7 or a few more knots. With my TC at 40 knots, I wouldn't think twice but with a R21, it becomes an important factor.

Charlie
 
Mark:

I'll have to look at them this weekend, but I bought them at WalMart in the regular automotive section. The look like a regular car battery, but have a handle and cables on them. Less than $100 each. I'll try to remember to get the brand, but here is something similar I saw on Auto Zone's website... http://www.autozone.com/R,3663503/store ... Detail.htm

Steve
 
Steve,

Thanks for looking, I really appreciate it.

Mark
 
Hi Mark,

I purchased a Black and Decker portable power station last December to use as an auxiliary power source for a Christmas parade. I wound up not needing it for that, but did use it when Oahu lost power overnight when President-Elect Obama was here for his family vacation that month. I keep it at the condo for emergencies, but I intend to use it on the boat when I need a 110 AC outlet for long off shore days or overnights. We also have a 750 watt inverter that clips directly to the one of the batteries. With the engine running, the alternator will easily drive 750 watts of AC power. However, with the battery charger plugged in at the dock, it is easy to draw down the batteries if you exceed 6 amps of charging power (not hard to do).

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGu ... =4033.4034

Here is the model I bought, it cost me about $125.00 on sale at an Ace Hardware store:

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGu ... ctID=16896

There are other brands out there, just Google "portable AC power stations" or something similar and you will see what I mean. What I like about it is the flexibility to run a small (up to 400 watts) AC/DC powered device offshore for a period of time with the engine off or around the dock without being plugged into anything else.

Aloha,

Rick
 
Another question on this subject. Do most marinas have regular electrical outlets or do you have to have a convertor plug?

Mark
 
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