Banks and Batteries

[wrvond]

My boat does not have a generator, so I have been thinking I'd like to install an inverter large enough to run a coffee pot and television. However, my boat only has two batteries, which I'm sure isn't near enough to do the job. My charger, a ProNautic 1210P is only a 10 amp charger, but it is too new to replace with one with a higher capacity. The manual also says it will only charge two banks of batteries. Now here is where I get confused: the manual says "banks" but only shows one battery per connection (the 1210P only has two connections). My owner's manual for the boat says "banks" and shows two batteries coupled together. So now I'm wondering what constitutes a "bank"? Can I connect four batteries together to make one bank? What if I had one 12v battery for starting and six 6v batteries coupled together for house batteries, would that be two banks with each bank connected to the charger?
When the engine is running, do the batteries still charge through the charger or directly from the alternator? As far as I know, I don't have an isolator, only a Guest 1,2 or Both switch.

 

[bruceb58]

You can have 6 6V batteries connected in a series parallel connection to form one 12V bank.

If you want to charge a house bank, use an ACR to charge it while running. A 1/2/both switch is not a good switch to use if you use a house bank with loads specific to a house bank. This one is better.
https://www.bluesea.com/products/5511e/e-Series_Dual_Circuit_Plus_Battery_Switch

 

[bruceb58]

BTW....running a coffee pot is not a great thing to run through an inverter. Let's say its a 1000W coffee maker. The inverter to drive that will draw over 90A.

 

[MH Hawker]

i sugest one of these https://www.walmart.com/ip/22086464...001278&wl14=colman propain coffie pot&veh=sem

 

[bruceb58]

i sugest one of these https://www.walmart.com/ip/22086464...001278&wl14=colman propain coffie pot&veh=sem

Agreed...You have one of these? I may need to get one.

 

[Silvertip]

Yup -- whatever 110V AC accessory you intend to power with an inverter, look at the power consumption label on the device. If it say 5 amps you multiply that number by 10 to determine how much 12 volt power it takes to create 5 amps of 110 AC. In this example that's 50 amps. Heating appliances are typically very high current draw items and will kill a battery in a very short time. Even if you have a very large battery bank and routinely discharge it deeply, you will also need a substantial charger to recharge that battery bank.

 

[bruceb58]

Actually, it's more than 10 times. It's close to 12 times since an inverter is only 80- 85% efficient at best.

 

[wrvond]

You can have 6 6V batteries connected in a series parallel connection to form one 12V bank.

If you want to charge a house bank, use an ACR to charge it while running. A 1/2/both switch is not a good switch to use if you use a house bank with loads specific to a house bank. This one is better.
https://www.bluesea.com/products/5511e/e-Series_Dual_Circuit_Plus_Battery_Switch

So having two 12v batteries in parallel would constitute a bank, right?

I'll have to think about that propane coffee maker. Don't have a lot of above deck storage in my little boat, and already have an alcohol stove.
I didn't realize just how young my wife is until I learned she didn't know how to operate this:

 

[shaw520]

I have the propane coffee maker shown above,..worth every penny. Inverting from 12vdc to 110ac just isnt efficient,..the price of a good inverted and draw just doesnt work. Ive tried 12v coffee makers, but 25 minutes for 8 ounces just wasnt cutting it either, so propane for coffee and cooking when not plugged into shore power. I have a 3 bank ProMariner 120 with 3 deep cycle(class 27's) Interstates, wired (2) house, (1) starting, and they do everything 12v related. No need for inverters, I personally think an inverter is an easy way to get caught w yer pants down.

 

[sam am I]

Just recently had to drive a 1500'ish mile long trip to drop off one of our work trucks in Tucson and catch a quick flight back. Of course not always near a Starbucks and having a severe coffee addiction, I rigged up a coffee maker in the cab..Beings I was flying back i didn't want to hoof back an inverter, coffee maker, cables and such, So I ran one of these. Works pretty well, not a speed demon by any means, maybe 10 minutes to brew but, when your 300 miles from anything descent coffee, it makes a dang nice cup of hot fresh coffee. No gas obviously needed and no energy loss with a direct to 12V coffee maker..

On the inverter side of life making coffee in my boat, I have ran this for a few years now with this type of inverter. The coffee maker brews a huge cup (two full normal cups about) of coffee in about 2 minutes or so I'd guess then auto/thermals off the brewing element. Or you brew just a normal smaller in less time if you like. The thing is like 300 Watts If i recall right, so running around 90% efficient with a true sine wave, it pulls around 28 amps. It won't serve a party boat full of ppl all day long but, for a few guys fishing with a fresh jar of just ground beans that morning, it has worked perfect for me and my needs.

 

[bruceb58]

So having two 12v batteries in parallel would constitute a bank, right?

Yep!

Last camping trip, we just boiled water and used a french press.

 

[JoLin]

What cooking facilities do you have on the boat? I have an alky/electric 2-burner cooktop and often use the alcohol and a percolator to make coffee. I also carry a single burner propane cooktop stored under one of the seats. I can use that for cookinjg or making coffee with the same percolator (quicker than alcohol) . Lastly, if you look at a single burner butane stove, they are really compact and the canisters are tiny. They work only a little slower than propane.

An non-electric cooktop is much more versatile than a dedicated coffee maker. My Farberware stainless steel percolator cost me about $20. six years ago and it's still going strong. The propane cooktop cost about the same.

My .02

 

[Toyelectroman]

Has anybody tried the coffee makers that are 12volt that plug into a cig lighter? I have seen them at truck stops for like $20, was considering buy one for the boat

 

[proshadetree]

The coffee cups that plug in are awesome. The coffee pot i got was not. Took forever and burnt out in about 2 weeks. I am an addict though 2 hours without coffee and i get a headache.