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Post by lardarse on Nov 15, 2016 21:05:09 GMT
I am about to re-configure the wiring of my batteries to Smileypete's method on the Smartgauge page (method 4). Now it turns out my batts are currently connected in 25mm and the write up, presumably by Gibbo, states this is poor and 35mm should be used. Would it be beneficial to up all the links whilst i am doing this (i think i know that answer) and would this include upping the cable from chargers and to negative from batts also or are they ok left in what i presume is also 25mm (sorry not on boat to check this).
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Post by Telemachus on Nov 15, 2016 22:29:21 GMT
It is all down to what the expected maximum current is. So if you have a tiny alternator, charger and don't drain much current (e.g. no huge inverter) the 25mm is fine. But the higher the current flowing in the system might be (from alternator, charger, inverter etc) the more problems will arise from using thin cable.
So what is your alternator's and charger's max output? Do you have an inverter, if so what power rating?
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Post by larkboy on Nov 15, 2016 23:04:45 GMT
I've just made up new battery interconnects and inverter leads from 95mm2 tinned cable. Probably overkill for the interconnects, but I had access to the cable cheap and my understanding is you can't go too big.....🙂 Was quite impressed with my £20 hydraulic terminal crimper off eBay, it did a proper job.
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Post by phil70 on Nov 16, 2016 8:37:20 GMT
I've just made up new battery interconnects and inverter leads from 95mm2 tinned cable. Probably overkill for the interconnects, but I had access to the cable cheap and my understanding is you can't go too big.....🙂 Was quite impressed with my £20 hydraulic terminal crimper off eBay, it did a proper job. Ah! now I know where to go if I need to borrow some big crimps. ☺ Phil |
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Post by lardarse on Nov 16, 2016 17:33:12 GMT
It is all down to what the expected maximum current is. So if you have a tiny alternator, charger and don't drain much current (e.g. no huge inverter) the 25mm is fine. But the higher the current flowing in the system might be (from alternator, charger, inverter etc) the more problems will arise from using thin cable. So what is your alternator's and charger's max output? Do you have an inverter, if so what power rating? Thanks for the reply Nick. The alternator is a Iskra 11.203.285 which i believe is 95amps www.as-autostarter.ro/en/products/11.203.285?fcat=1The charger, although it is unlikely to be used as i doubt we shall have shore power in the foreseeable future is the Victron12/30 www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/CCH012020000-D-cEN.pdfThe inverter is a Ring 2000w www.ringautomotive.com/uk/products/Cars/In-car+Power/PowerSourcePro+Inverters/RINVM2000 which is used mainly for charging laptops and running one of those small twin tub washing machines for short periods. We keep waiting for this to go tits up but it keeps soldiering on but when it does give up the ghost it will probably be replaced with a 1500w one of better quality. |
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 16, 2016 17:55:18 GMT
Purely because of the inverter I'd suggest 50mm^2 for the interconnects.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2016 17:56:06 GMT
Domestic battery bank you need more like 70mm+ for a 2000w inverter.
Remember, battery interconnects form part of the wiring for the inverter. Cable length from battery to inverter is a factor too.
35mm for alternator cable and starter cables is fine - allows for a bit of volt drop on longer runs.
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 16, 2016 18:00:06 GMT
Domestic battery bank you need more like 70mm+ for a 2000w inverter. Remember, battery interconnects form part of the wiring for the inverter. Cable length from battery to inverter is a factor too. 35mm for alternator cable and starter cables is fine - allows for a bit of volt drop on longer runs. But they don't use 2kW and they'll be changing it for a 1500W one. Yes, 70 would be good but 50 should be fine (and cheaper). |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2016 18:04:06 GMT
Domestic battery bank you need more like 70mm+ for a 2000w inverter. Remember, battery interconnects form part of the wiring for the inverter. Cable length from battery to inverter is a factor too. 35mm for alternator cable and starter cables is fine - allows for a bit of volt drop on longer runs. But they don't use 2kW and they'll be changing it for a 1500W one. Yes, 70 would be good but 50 should be fine (and cheaper). Ah, i didn't read that, just took the headline 2000w into account and didn't read to the end. Hangs head in shame etc  |
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Post by lardarse on Nov 16, 2016 18:12:01 GMT
Thanks all.
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Post by lardarse on Nov 16, 2016 19:15:03 GMT
Just been thinking about this while i had my tea. The boat is as it was on construction from reading the folder which came with the boat so it met with the safety requirements i presume. The only thing added is 1 extra leisure battery. Seems crazy on a professionally fitted out boat that they would fit cable half the size that is needed. Is it just performance that is affected by this under sizing? They probably saved what? 50 or 60 quid in materials on a £60k approx boat when it was built. Barmy!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2016 19:35:36 GMT
Just been thinking about this while i had my tea. The boat is as it was on construction from reading the folder which came with the boat so it met with the safety requirements i presume. The only thing added is 1 extra leisure battery. Seems crazy on a professionally fitted out boat that they would fit cable half the size that is needed. Is it just performance that is affected by this under sizing? They probably saved what? 50 or 60 quid in materials on a £60k approx boat when it was built. Barmy! Sadly boat building is a cottage industry with a fair amount of self taught builders knocking stuff together. Lots of stuff will meet the minimum requirement for an RCD or bss, just like your battery cables. Quaysiders new boat has inadequate fuel filtration, the difference in price from a single filter head to a twin with water separator is sod all. The problem is more the lack of knowledge or care as to why a twin should be fitted. I won't get started on the low standards of fabrication found on many boats. There are some good quality boat's built by skilled and experienced craftsman, but they do seem to be in the minority. |
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 16, 2016 19:51:56 GMT
There are some good quality boat's built by skilled and experienced craftsman, but they do seem to be in the minority. There are some really good steel men out there, and there are some excellent chippies, however it appears that many boats were wired by the same guys... |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2016 19:57:00 GMT
There are some good quality boat's built by skilled and experienced craftsman, but they do seem to be in the minority. There are some really good steel men out there, and there are some excellent chippies, however it appears that many boats were wired by the same guys... I hadn't thought of it like that |
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Post by Ditchcrawler on Nov 16, 2016 20:01:52 GMT
Domestic battery bank you need more like 70mm+ for a 2000w inverter. Remember, battery interconnects form part of the wiring for the inverter. Cable length from battery to inverter is a factor too. 35mm for alternator cable and starter cables is fine - allows for a bit of volt drop on longer runs. But they don't use 2kW and they'll be changing it for a 1500W one. Yes, 70 would be good but 50 should be fine (and cheaper). But they could do, and they will only change to 1500 when the other one dies which could be years. |
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