Never worth the worry

[PhilF]

Went to the Boat yesterday after 4 weeks of enforced absence. What was I gonna find,engine heaters off and pipes frozen solid, cabin dripping with rot and mildew, canopy blown off and flybridge sodden, or will the boat even still be there, will the rib be gone or flooded and is this all worth the agro.

Reality
Engine room warm and engines started first time, Cabin snug and dry, all ship shape and apart from a flat battery on the rib, had a nice day allthough a bit chilly during my compulsory race up and down the solent.

Ah the wonders of imagination
PhilF

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[sailorman]

how ever do you cope with only one battery on the Rib.
surely 2 x batteries, splitter diode solar panel, change-over / isolator switch.

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[PhilF]

is there enough sol around to keep it charged in the winter?
Only takes 5 minues with the battery charger to start

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[adarcy]

Re: Grandma + eggs

sorry but in case it's not obvious/been made clear

a 5 min boost on a battery charger and a run will not put a useful charge in the battery as I expect you have an alternator. (It's to do with the field strength in the rotor)
You need to charge the battery on a real charger until it's > 40-50% then the alternator will top it up.

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[PhilF]

Re: Grandma + eggs

I know that, but will a solar panel keep the battery charged in the winter?
2 batteries go flat as quickly as 1
PhilF

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[adarcy]

Re: Grandma + eggs

Should do unless

a) one or both has an internal leak
b) external "leak" ie bilge pump working > solar can supply

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[Dave_Snelson]

I sure hope I find that to be the case when I turn up at mine this weekend. The forecast looks OK with F2/3 Southerlies. Have you heard any different??

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