100 amp altanater

[blackz3]

1988 5.7L <br />just added a third battery and a 1500 watt inverter (want to brew coffee ) so should i upgrade my altanater to 100 amps or more to recharge the batteries quicker.<br />i have a 700watt that runs the tv/dvd and the 1500 just to brew coffee. so heres the situation....watch tv before bed..get up and brew coffee dont want to wake the wife starting the moter so im hopeing that ill have enough battery left to start it when its time to go<br />cant test it right now its winterized.

 

[Don S]

Re: 100 amp altanater

A 1500 Watt inverter is probably rated at 1500 W for starting motors, but will not put out 1500W long enough to make coffee.<br />This might be a cheaper alterative. Plus it won't run your batteries down.<br /><br /> Stove

 

[blackz3]

Re: 100 amp altanater

im not haveing a problem brewing the coffee but im recharging the batteries with a battery charger after brewing. meter is reading 11.4 amps after brewing and not under starting load <br />hopeing when i turn the key it will start. and i believe i have a 60amp alt at present ...will it charge the batteries back up or would a 100 amp be a better choice

 

[Don S]

Re: 100 amp altanater

Sounds like you need to install a battery switch system so you have one set of house batteries, and a seperate battery for starting the engine if the house batteries are low.<br />How many of what size batteries do you have. You could end up with an alternator that is too big for your battery system. A 65A alternator should keep up with 3 size 27 batteries.

 

[jlinder]

Re: 100 amp altanater

i'm confused. You brew coffee from an inverter running off 12v, but have a battery charger to recharge the batteries.<br /><br />Doesn't this mean you have 120v to power the battery charger? Why not run the coffee maker off of 120v direct?<br /><br />Think of this - if the coffee maker is 1200 watts, that is 100 amps at 12 volts. If you run for 30 minutes that is 50 amp-hours off the battery. And that does not take losses into account.<br /><br />If you are running 3 batteries I suspect you have a big draw recharging them all after you start your engines. 60 amp alternator sounds like it might take 1.5 hours or more to recharge running full out. Not something I would like to do. (I'm just guessing since I don't have a lot of real numbers on current draw, time the coffee pot is on, etc.)<br /><br />100 amp sounds a lot better.

 

[blackz3]

Re: 100 amp altanater

yea that was the first problem i ran into .....2 batteries would brew the coffee but drained them to nothing..and left the main battery alone. when i stwitch to (ALL) it brews the coffee and doesnt drain them (3) nearly as much was just wondering about recharging 3 batteries in as short a time as posible (never know when she might want another pot brewed LOL...what we realy need is a starbucks or a WAWA in the damn bay !!! hmmm i think ill give them a call

 

[blackz3]

Re: 100 amp altanater

i tried a 12V coffee maker takes FOREEVER!! thats why i went to an inverter ...right now the boats in the driveway winterized so i cant test it to see if it will start after brewing or how long it takes to recharge 3 batteries

 

[Don S]

Re: 100 amp altanater

Have a look at some of the articles under "Electrical" regarding battery systems, charging, and alternators.<br /><br /> Electrical Info

 

[blackz3]

Re: 100 amp altanater

http://www.4alterstart.com/marine/ <br />cheapest one iv found

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: 100 amp altanater

You have a BIG battery load. And you need a Big battery. What type and size batteries are you using now ? How many of each type ?

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: 100 amp altanater

Here are a couple of batteries for the coffee pot.----------------Exide model GC-5 6V----reserve capacity at 25 amps is 480 minutes. At 100 amps about 70 to 80 minutes. You will need 2 as they are 6 volt golf cart batteries. 60# each--$80.00 each from Boater's World page 427. Piece of cake. Warning ! you are using a lot of power to recharge these. MAKE SURE you have plenty of air movement around these as a lot of HYDROGEN ( explosive ) is going to be given off during recharging.

 

[trog100]

Re: 100 amp altanater

1500 watt inverters are for the birds.. dons stove idea makes a lot more sense..<br /><br />trog100<br /><br />ps... imagine 30 car headlights all going at once... just to boil your coffee..

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: 100 amp altanater

Ditto the stove idea. <br /><br />Also, ever thought about solar? I run an 18 amp panel (monocrystalline), even on cloudy days she is giving me 3 or 4 amps per hr 8 to 10 hrs a day. On sunny days it'll easily put back in what a couple of DVD movies take out. <br /><br />Are you unplugging the inverter when you go to bed, they still draw in standby mode.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[jlinder]

Re: 100 amp altanater

I know ambulances or firetrucks have similar problems since they draw a lot of power. I think there are some of them where they have mounted an additional alternator to help with the load.<br /><br />You might want to check around - maybe the local fire department may point you in the right direction. Wonder if they might have some ideas for you.

 

[trog100]

Re: 100 amp altanater

i have several little camping stoves.. they fit in a nice little plastic case with a nice little handle on it.. they cost me about 5 quid each.. magic for making cups of tea when picnicing.. magic for making cups of tea on road trips.. i have one in my boat.. that one is magic for making cups of tea when boating..<br /><br />1500 watt inverters... or how to wreck your batteries in one easy lesson.. he he he.. in truth i cannot think of one valid reason for having one..<br /><br />am i missing something here.. ????<br /><br /><br />trog100<br /><br />ps.. ahhh forgot something i also have a little 1000 watt portable generator for when i really do need mains power..

 

[Boatist]

Re: 100 amp altanater

I would get a small stove and also a 12 volt TV. <br /><br />With a 1500 and a 700 watt inverter you do not need a electric coffee pot. Just coil up your battery cable under a standard stove coffee pot, With 183 amps running thru your battery cables it will perk in no time at all.<br /><br />The way you tell if you need a bigger alternator is to do your thing then start your motor and run about 1000 RPMS. Take a good Volt meter and after 5 minutes check the voltage on your batteries. If the Voltage is 13.8 to 14.4 volts them a bigger alternator will do nothing to help. Even with a 200 amp alternator your regulator will Regulate the voltage at 13.8 to 14.4 volts. If when you check the voltage it is at 12.8 volts then a bigger alternator will help.<br /><br />All in all that is going to be one expensive cup of coffee. Cost of the inverter and extra batteries. Batteries abused that way will not last long. Then there is the gas to run the engine and the wear and tear on the engine. On the other hand you could buy a small alcohol stove and a gallon of alcohol and be all set for 6 months.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 100 amp altanater

Sounds like your existing system could use just a little help from an on-board generator like a small Honda. Brew your coffee, watch TV, and if the battery doesn't have enough oomph to get you going, fire the Honda for a few minutes.

 

[trog100]

Re: 100 amp altanater

"With a 1500 and a 700 watt inverter you do not need a electric coffee pot. Just coil up your battery cable under a standard stove coffee pot, With 183 amps running thru your battery cables it will perk in no time at all."<br /><br />love that one.. he he he he..<br /><br />trog100

 

[trog100]

Re: 100 amp altanater

let u into a little secret.. there is a chinese battery factory banging out cheapo batteries.. to drum up a little extra business.. they have got their mates the chinese inverter factory to flood the western markets with cheapo 1500 watt inverters..<br /><br />honest <br /><br />trog100

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: 100 amp altanater

Trogg, every country and business is doing the same thing with their product. E BAY can sell them all in a week.