[Rhodes22-list] Link 10

[Bill Effros]

Rob,

Need?  Nah.  But if you had one now you might discover you can run that blender as soon as you hook up the Tohatsu.

Here's my reply to Rummy on the same subject a couple of years ago:

Rummy,

I've got the Heart 10/Link 10 also and I love it.  It gives the exact
information you really want.  For example, your meter tells you you have 100
amp hours in your battery.  Your meter tells you your lights are drawing 10
amps.  How long can you run the lights before your battery is dead.
(Hint--the answer is not 10 hours.)  The meter will tell you how long you
can run the lights.  The manual explains why the answer is not 10 hours.

I read about Rhodes owners creating floating electric sub-stations with
another battery in every available space.  If they knew how many amps they
actually used and how fast they replaced them they would know they simply
don't need all the extra batteries.

My boat is on a mooring.  I have 2 solar panels.  My electric starting
Tohatsu puts more power back than it uses.  I use as much electricity as I
want.  I have never had to recharge the batteries outside the system.  The
Link 10 instantly and continuously tells me the voltage, amperage, amount of
power currently being used, and a pretty good estimate of how much longer I
can continue to use the amount of power currently being used.

I never have electrical anxiety.

It's a good system.  My meter is located above the breaker panel--a logical
location--the sensor must be located near the battery.

Bill Effros


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Rob Lowe 
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list 
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 8:54 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Motors with electric start


Bill,
Thanks so much!  This was exactly what information I was looking for.  Our
boat has a single battery, no solar panels, and just a voltage meter for
monitoring battery charge.  It sounds like hooking up the Tohatsu 8 to that
battery will work.  No need for separate starting battery and the motor will
keep the battery charged (assuming you run it enough, and if it does go
dead, use the pull starter).

Down the road (once I pay for a new @#$#$% motor), perhaps add second
battery (to run the blender) and a solar panel to keep up the charge on
both.

Do you really need the Link 10?  They're a bit pricey.  Thanks!

Rob
S/V Getaway


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2003 8:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Motors with electric start


Rob,

I have the electric start Tohatsu 8.  Love it.

I have 2 batteries, linked, on board.  One would be sufficient.  Don't waste
time or money on a separate "starter" battery.  There is this rope "thingy"
on top of the electric start Tohatsu.  You'll never need to use it, but I
tried it once--you pull on it, and the motor starts.  Ask Rummy.  Then your
motor will put electricity back into the battery and you'll be able to run
lights and things even if your battery goes "dead".

The motor starts so easily you almost always put more electricity back into
the battery than you withdrew by starting.

I have 2 batteries, the Tohatsu, and 2 solar panels installed by GB.  No
regulator.  No problem.  My boat sits on a mooring all summer, in a yard all
winter.  (I'm in Greenwich, CT.)  I never remove the batteries.  I have
never used shore power to recharge them.  The batteries lasted for 5 years
without a single problem.  I will replace them this year.

I have, and recommend, a Link 10 meter.  It lets me know the exact condition
of the batteries at all times.  I use it every time I come on board.  It has
saved me a fortune in unneeded extra batteries, regulators, special
circuits, etc.  Also I don't yell at people who are using what turns out to
be insignificant amounts of electricity, of which I have more than enough.

Bill Effros




----- Original Message ----- 
From: Rob Lowe
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2003 11:33 AM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Motors with electric start


I'm getting to the point where a new motor might have to be purchased.  Took
the drains out of the gearbox of the old one and a nice, grey material oozed
out (homogenized oil and water, I assume).  That plus the inoperative
reverse and the failure to start problem is pushing me towards a new one.  I
was quoted $450 to extend a short shaft into a long shaft.  I've looked at
the used ones on the various web sites but didn't see anything I really
cared for.


I'm looking at the 8Hp Tohatsu/Nissan.  Question, I'm thinking about the
electric start feature.  Not so much for starting the motor, but I have no
charging system on the boat as it is.  I was looking at adding a flexible
mount solar charger, but the cost of those is about what the electric start
additional would be.  Any one have an electric start option?  How about
batteries, wiring, over charge protection, etc.  I've got a battery on board
now, but it has to be charged though an external charger.  I would also like
to add more electrical devices in the future (like inverter for a blender,
got to keep up with Rummy).  Any advice is appreciated!

Rob
S/V Getaway
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