O C Diver
Guru
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2010
- Messages
- 13,270
- Location
- Fort Myers, Florida
- Vessel Name
- End Of The Line
- Vessel Make
- Trinka 10 Dinghy
Ok, so you're Crusader 454s are gas motors? Wouldn't know if these alternators were approved for gas engines.NOt a problem! First, I have no desire to run a Crusader or a pair of Crusader 454's to charge my batteries. Next has to do with using a physically large alternator/s required to produce large a output current in a confined bilge for hours without self destructing due to copper's positive temperature coefficient. And of course we do have an old Kohler 4.5KW generator that I have managed to ready on demand..........it gets very little use.
And best of all, I have about 1200 watts (4 each 290 watt) solar panels that for the last year or so when I installed them successfully keep my 860 amp hr battery bank charged. Charged even with our 8.3cuft refrigerator featuring self defrost, two tv's and what nots consuming power at leisure.
Soooo----IF one has space for solar, I suggest they consider it over an alternator of any kind.
Have no idea what you're talking about with " copper's positive temperature coefficient". There are literally tens of thousands of commercial boats over the last hundred years with large high output alternator. Don't know if you are referring to gas powered boats. If the engine room temperature is kept within the engine manufacturer's specifications, these alternators will work continuously where the Balmars require load limiting based on alternator temperature.
The purpose of the large alternator is to recharge your bank and supply 12 VDC while you're underway, not in place of a generator while sitting at anchor.
Nothing wrong with solar. I find that being underway every other or third day completely recharges my battery bank without the need for generator time or solar.
Ted