So listees,
We're off cruising Island Eagle this summer, and as opposed to the past few
years this year we are doing things in a more leisurely fashion. Cruise a few
hours... anchor a few days... repeat.
So it's all very nice, but I realize that my charging system needs a bit of
beefing up. In the past, the 150 amp Ample Power alternator on the main had
no problem keeping the batteries (800 Ah of AGM @ 24 volts) topped up when we
were spending 6 to 8 hours underway. However, using the genset to charge the
batteries I am relying on the Xantrex SW4024 charger, which has a max output
of 150 amps. This translates to about 4 hours per day of genset run time,
which I'd like to lower.
I have about 3000 additional watts of genset capacity at my disposal, so I'm
thinking of adding a big (say 100 A) 24 volt charger. However, they seem to
be pretty thin on the ground, in fact I can find any. So my other thought is
a pair of 50 A 12 volt chargers, one for each half of the 24 volt bank. I was
looking at a pair of Xantrex XC5012
(http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/180/p/1/pt/24/product.asp). I also have
experience with Analytic Systems
(http://www.analyticsystems.com/products/bca1000.htm) so that's a possibility.
So, I'll throw the door open: any suggestions?
Scott Welch
FirstClass Product Manager
www.firstclass.com
Those who make no mistakes rarely make anything.
So listees,
We're off cruising Island Eagle this summer, and as opposed to the past few
years this year we are doing things in a more leisurely fashion. Cruise a few
hours... anchor a few days... repeat.
So it's all very nice, but I realize that my charging system needs a bit of
beefing up. In the past, the 150 amp Ample Power alternator on the main had
no problem keeping the batteries (800 Ah of AGM @ 24 volts) topped up when we
were spending 6 to 8 hours underway. However, using the genset to charge the
batteries I am relying on the Xantrex SW4024 charger, which has a max output
of 150 amps. This translates to about 4 hours per day of genset run time,
which I'd like to lower.
I have about 3000 additional watts of genset capacity at my disposal, so I'm
thinking of adding a big (say 100 A) 24 volt charger. However, they seem to
be pretty thin on the ground, in fact I can find any. So my other thought is
a pair of 50 A 12 volt chargers, one for each half of the 24 volt bank. I was
looking at a pair of Xantrex XC5012
(http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/180/p/1/pt/24/product.asp). I also have
experience with Analytic Systems
(http://www.analyticsystems.com/products/bca1000.htm) so that's a possibility.
So, I'll throw the door open: any suggestions?
Scott Welch
FirstClass Product Manager
www.firstclass.com
Those who make no mistakes rarely make anything.
