"Peter Bennett" wrote in message
news.com...

Although the bow thruster and anchor windlass need significant
currents when they are used, they are normally used for such short
times that the actual energy (amp-hours) used from the batteries is
almost insignificant.

My anchor windlass (31 ft power boat) is fused at 80 amps - say it
draws 60 amps when raising the anchor. It will typically run 2 - 3
minutes to raise the anchor - at 60 amps, this is 120 - 180
amp-minutes, or only 2 - 3 amp-hours. The bow thruster may draw 200
amps, but is only run for a few seconds at a time - normally well
under a minute when docking or un-docking, so that again is only a
couple of amp-hours - hardly worth worrying about when considering
your daily power useage.


--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI Vancouver BC


I agree about the AH load. My problem is not having dedicated power to that
unit; even if you are absolutely sure that your house bank could handle the
load AND start your engine if needed; sending all those amps a long way
needs monster cable by comparison...

The admiral made me pitch the mikey based on the amps it would use; it's the
same argument, other than that it's not going to affect starting the engine
(at least if we've remembered to go to "house" and not "both"!), but it's
gone, none the less.

L8R

Skip, in Vero

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