My intent is to do everything from solar and wind only for the most
part. Our shorepower charger is currently 110A and we generally
use the genset to power it while pulling down the cold plates at anchor.
Alternator on the engine is 160A. I wish it was large frame with 2 belts
but unfortunately I don't have the space to mount the larger unit. 12A
for the autopilot doesn't seem too bad if it only runs when moving
the rudder. Mine has a standby of an amp or two but can peak out
at 22A when moving the rudder quickly or against alot of helm.

Doug

"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 14:07:14 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

I took a similar approach. Breakers that are normally left on all the
time have green pilot LEDs. Things that should not be left on all the
time (running lights, heater, radios, etc are amber, and things that
should only be on when actually used (emergency fuel pump, etc)
have red LEDs. Just a glance at the panel gives me the story.

1/2 amp for a relay for convenience only seems like
a waste to me. I'd use a latching relay that only draws current when
actually switching or to keep it simple, I'd just use a switch.

Doug

The only "capacity" issue aboard Lionheart is we don't have near
enough CHARGER off the AC line, at the moment. That's being
rectified. There's plenty of DC power, mostly over concerns about the
12A drain from the B&G Pilot's hydraulic pump when it's running. But
the twin 700AH battery banks have plenty of reserve for running it
until someone wants a shower or other hot water, giving us an excuse
to start the Perkins and the 120 amp house alternator for some serious
charging power. The engine change has been pushed back to the first
week in December, so the big alternator will have TWO drive belts that
won't squeal under the strain like it has one now.... To charge the
700AH beasts from dead would still require hours at 120A, 60A per
bank. The other power sources like shaft alternator, solar panel,
wind charger are just fluff. They'd take forever to charge the
beasts....and the 10A charger currently on the boat has never caught
up...(c;



Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"