pvb
Well-Known Member
I don't think T180s exist.
Batteries
- Thread starter orangemikey
- Start date
I don't think T180s exist.
pvb
Well-Known Member
The batteries don't have to be the same Ah rating, although they should ideally be the same type (eg wet, maintenance-free, AGM, gel, etc). You're right in thinking that a specific starter battery would be a better idea - it would also be cheaper, say under £50. If I were you, I'd put the other £125 into buying 2 x 100Ah leisure batteries for house use. Having 200Ah capacity will mean that you'll be discharging the batteries less for any given usage, and this will prolong their life considerably.
Zagato
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that. I only have room really have room for 2 batteries and will only be using a light and GPS.
Just called battery megastore who suggested a DC24 £86.75 for house and a XV 24 £56 for starting CCranking 570 - both are deep cycle - thought that was opposite of starting. The ones I took out were 80AH deep cycle and starting - confused as ever
Just called battery megastore who suggested a DC24 £86.75 for house and a XV 24 £56 for starting CCranking 570 - both are deep cycle - thought that was opposite of starting. The ones I took out were 80AH deep cycle and starting - confused as ever
pvb
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that. I only have room really have room for 2 batteries and will only be using a light and GPS.
Just called battery megastore who suggested a DC24 £86.75 for house and a XV 24 £56 for starting CCranking 570 - both are deep cycle - thought that was opposite of starting. The ones I took out were 80AH deep cycle and starting - confused as ever
OK, if you only have room for 2 batteries, at least get the biggest house battery you can fit in. You mentioned the DC24, this is only 88Ah. For only £8 more, you could get a DC31 which is 125Ah - over 40% more capacity. If this will fit, it would be a much better buy.
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-Known Member
Get leisure batteries from Caravan shops, good and cheap. I have 5 batteries, 4 x 110 leisure and 1 x 110 car starting battery; all are charged continuously by a Rutland 913
Zagato
Well-Known Member
The size is only limited by those battery boxes you can buy that have been fitted. I'm going down to the boat next week so will check it out - thanks
alahol2
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that. I only have room really have room for 2 batteries and will only be using a light and GPS.
Just called battery megastore who suggested a DC24 £86.75 for house and a XV 24 £56 for starting CCranking 570 - both are deep cycle - thought that was opposite of starting. The ones I took out were 80AH deep cycle and starting - confused as ever
I'd be inclined to go for a couple of these... http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/leisure-batteries/88-ah-xplorer-leisure-battery/
Plenty of CCA's, quoted at 500 cycles with a 4 year guarantee. I've had three years, so far, with the Lucas equivalent and it's still charging and holding at the same voltage as when new. I've bought from Alpha and their service is excellent. When I bought last time they sent a 10% off voucher. So it could be worth ordering one and see if you get a voucher you can use for the other...
pvb
Well-Known Member
Battery boxes are cheap - you could always get a bigger one. In fact, with maintenance-free batteries, you don't even need a box, just a secure tie-down.
Zagato
Well-Known Member
Good point the ones that came out were wet with overlow tubes, the ones going in will be sealed with loads of space
rustybarge
Well-Known Member
Roughly how many amps do you get each day from the Rytlsnd 913, and what is the lowest wind speed it will operate in?
Mistroma
Well-Known Member
I kept my boat on a mooring in the Clyde, sailed around Ireland and West Coast up to Cape Wrath. My Rutland 913 averaged 10Ah per day over the entire sailing season.
It averaged 8 Ah per day last year cruising from Clyde down to Brittany and over to Spain as far as Galicia.
Rutland claim that it starts generating at 5 knots but you'll only get a tiny amount of current at that speed (0.2-0.3A I think). They claim about 2A at 10 knots.
pvb
Well-Known Member
That's a lot less than I'd have expected. Do you think it's worth having?
Mistroma
Well-Known Member
I meant to add that the 913 is mounted on a pole at the stern. I spoke to someone a few years ago and his was fitted half way up his mizzen mast. He said that it produced enough power to run his fridge all day and night most of the time. However, he couldn't give more detail and was in the process of fitting a new one. His 913 had exploded, driving a blade through the Radome underneath and showering the deck with bits. It had been blowing 80-100 mph and I'd tied my 913 safely (and removed sprayhood etc.). So there's a lot in favour of not mounting it up the mast.
I'm happy to have the 913 as it does produce some power and every little helps. If it is very windy then I can get lots of power. But there's much less wind at sea level and it also speeds up and slows down a lot with gusts and the head turning from side to side. I believe that the vane might be slightly too small or close to the pivot point. This means that it hunts from side to side quite a bit and even goes into 360 degree rotations when heeled and the blades stop. The problem is that the weight ahead of the pivot point overcomes effort from the vane when heeled in light wind. I'm going to try extending the arm holding the vane to see if performance improves.
If I didn't have the 913 then I'd almost certainly buy more solar panels first and only install a wind-gen when I ran out of space. Solar is much cheaper (I use rigid panels) and you don't have to worry about strong winds. I don't think I'm saying anything that isn't common knowledge and I'm happy to keep the 913 and maintain it.
I hope that gives the information you were asking for.
I'm happy to have the 913 as it does produce some power and every little helps. If it is very windy then I can get lots of power. But there's much less wind at sea level and it also speeds up and slows down a lot with gusts and the head turning from side to side. I believe that the vane might be slightly too small or close to the pivot point. This means that it hunts from side to side quite a bit and even goes into 360 degree rotations when heeled and the blades stop. The problem is that the weight ahead of the pivot point overcomes effort from the vane when heeled in light wind. I'm going to try extending the arm holding the vane to see if performance improves.
If I didn't have the 913 then I'd almost certainly buy more solar panels first and only install a wind-gen when I ran out of space. Solar is much cheaper (I use rigid panels) and you don't have to worry about strong winds. I don't think I'm saying anything that isn't common knowledge and I'm happy to keep the 913 and maintain it.
I hope that gives the information you were asking for.
Last edited:
rustybarge
Well-Known Member
When you think a petrol Honda 1 kw genny will give you 50 amps in one hour, equivalent to five days charge from a wind charger.
Glad I asked, a wind charger makes good sense to keep your battery topped up when you're away. Full stop.
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-Known Member
Approx 5 amps at 17 knots and 2 amps at 5 knots. Keeps the batteries always topped up. My concern is that the Rutland was installed 6 years ago and has never been taken down for maintenance or repair. It is only a matter of time before something happens to it.
Mistroma
Well-Known Member
2A at 5 knots is a lot more than I get, did you mean 0.2A?
I've already replaced the bearings on mine but that was due to me being silly one winter. Not a difficult job if you have the tools and correct grade of loc-tite.
pvb
Well-Known Member
I think he probably did, Rutland themselves say it doesn't even start to generate until 5 knots, and to get 2A needs around 12 knots of wind.
rustybarge
Well-Known Member
I was interested how have electricity self sufficiency onboard. Starting from scratch, with modern low wattage tech equipment it should be possible to reduce amperage down to a reasonable amount.
Fuel cells: catalyst only lasts 2000 hrs, very expensive to replace, £3000 . Methanol very expensive.
Wind generator: low daily output.
Solar cells : need big surface area to get decent output, won't work in cloudy weather.
Small petrol genny: noisy, petrol is expensive
Diesel genny: quiet, but very heavy.
Sounds a bit like life.....a big compromise! No easy choices.
Fuel cells: catalyst only lasts 2000 hrs, very expensive to replace, £3000 . Methanol very expensive.
Wind generator: low daily output.
Solar cells : need big surface area to get decent output, won't work in cloudy weather.
Small petrol genny: noisy, petrol is expensive
Diesel genny: quiet, but very heavy.
Sounds a bit like life.....a big compromise! No easy choices.
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-Known Member
Yes, my mistake; 0.2 amps at 5 knots and near 5 amps at 17 knots. The rutland has been located on an extra long pole at the stern.
Little Sam
Well-Known Member
Hi.
I am also fitting out the batteries and electrics side of my little boat. I already have an engine starter battery but no liesure batteries.
I have 2 good quality 20 W solar panels and a Rutland 504 with a dual solar wind charger regulator from Merlec rutland.
I was wondering what would be the best battery set up for when i get the leisure batteries and how to wire them up considering i'll be spending long periods on the boat.
Hers the equipment that will be sucking on the battery's.
Standard Horizon fixed VHF AIS reciever radio GX2100
"" "" CPN 700i plotter that will also be music player internet access play the odd movie.
Nav lights
Internal Leds lights etc.
The odd use of a hair dryer for the Missus with an inverter.
Recommendations please ....
I am also fitting out the batteries and electrics side of my little boat. I already have an engine starter battery but no liesure batteries.
I have 2 good quality 20 W solar panels and a Rutland 504 with a dual solar wind charger regulator from Merlec rutland.
I was wondering what would be the best battery set up for when i get the leisure batteries and how to wire them up considering i'll be spending long periods on the boat.
Hers the equipment that will be sucking on the battery's.
Standard Horizon fixed VHF AIS reciever radio GX2100
"" "" CPN 700i plotter that will also be music player internet access play the odd movie.
Nav lights
Internal Leds lights etc.
The odd use of a hair dryer for the Missus with an inverter.
Recommendations please ....
Last edited: