Windlass Battery - deep cycle or starting?

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by SeaSon

.

There is no single solution for every installation and numerous factors have to be considered to arrive at the best solution for this instance.

So RamblinRod, for a windlass/thruster powered by a dedicated battery, with a dedicated charger, is it best to use a deep cycle or start battery?

A start battery will work, but a deep cycle is better. A GRP 24 Deep cycle (~85 Ahrs), can handle a 100 A draw for 15 minutes no problem. And don't forget, a 1200W windlass draws 100A when it is near stalled (most times it is drawing a lot less).

[TheThunderbird]

54' boat
400Ah engine bank is amidship
Through a separator, and a 200A fused switch, the line reaches a dedicated electric board, and further on to the utilities (say 30'+30')

Utilities are always operated under engine (80A alternator) and for several seconds only (B-T 400A) or few minutes (windlass 120A)

Yes, it worked for 15years, but I wonder cables are a black untinned mass now...

Spare thoughts:
1. Starting afresh, I would reconsider a 24V system for the whole engine bank (engine starter, windlass, B-T) thus halfing Amperage on all the Heavy Utilities onboard
1.1 yes, I believe that 12V is a PITA.
1.2 electric engines and solar panels will both push the standards to 48V or 70V systems, in the next decades...

2. How to improve the systems now? In order of complexity:
2.1 an AGM deep cycle battery on bow, lined to a 30A eco-charger after the engine bank
2.2 a 60A lithium battery charged by dedicated solar panel ( 40W)
2.3 a DC generator

I think future is made up with:
DC generators+lithium batteries+inverters to AC

VAC to DC chargers are stupidly expensive, inefficient (55%) and will be kept in contempt in the years to come.

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by TheThunderbird

54' boat
400Ah engine bank is amidship
Through a separator, and a 200A fused switch, the line reaches a dedicated electric board, and further on to the utilities (say 30'+30')

Utilities are always operated under engine (80A alternator) and for several seconds only (B-T 400A) or few minutes (windlass 120A)

Yes, it worked for 15years, but I wonder cables are a black untinned mass now...

Spare thoughts:
1. Starting afresh, I would reconsider a 24V system for the whole engine bank (engine starter, windlass, B-T) thus halfing Amperage on all the Heavy Utilities onboard
1.1 yes, I believe that 12V is a PITA.
1.2 electric engines and solar panels will both push the standards to 48V or 70V systems, in the next decades...

2. How to improve the systems now? In order of complexity:
2.1 an AGM deep cycle battery on bow, lined to a 30A eco-charger after the engine bank
2.2 a 60A lithium battery charged by dedicated solar panel ( 40W)
2.3 a DC generator

I think future is made up with:
DC generators+lithium batteries+inverters to AC

VAC to DC chargers are stupidly expensive, inefficient (55%) and will be kept in contempt in the years to come.

Maintaining a generator is a PITA. Currently, they are a necessary evil if one wishes to operate high loads for long periods.

Your suggestion has merit for the near future.

But the distant future solution is Mr. Fusion. ;-)

Ramblin Rod