[Rhodes22-list] Solar Cells, Batteries, and GPS

[Russell Miller]

We also have a Lowarance.  Antenna is mounted on the stern rail cable runs
into a hole in the stern covered by a "clam shell" through the lazarettes to
the starboard bulkhead.  The unit is mounted an a"custom bracket" from stan
and the cable ron through the compaion way allowing the unit to be removed
and stwed inside when not in use.

Russ
----- Original Message -----
From: "daniel snyder" <danielsnyder at adelphia.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 5:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cells, Batteries, and GPS


> Mark, I have exactly the same question on the GPS antenna.  I'm purchasing
> the Lowrance 337 which is out just this month with an internal
> antenna....same price for the external antenna model.  I don't know which
> one to get for the same reasons you mentioned.  I was leaning towards the
> external antenna so that I might have a bit more flexibility in where to
> mount the unit itself.  Hope someone on the list can help.
>
> Dan Snyder
> New London, NH
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <mputnam1 at aol.com>
> To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 4:07 PM
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cells, Batteries, and GPS
>
>
> > As I've mentioned before, I'll be receiving my recycled R22 from Stan in
> > the next month or so ... and I have a question about battery power and
> > solar cells.
> >
> > As some background: The 1990 R22 that I'm purchasing has one solar cell
> > and one battery (although Stan is checking to be sure there's not
another
> > battery hidden somewhere on board).
> >
> > After much agonizing over cost, I went ahead and purchased a GPS system
> > and a separate depth sounder.  I mainly want the GPS in the event of an
> > emergency, if I'm sailing in unfamiliar waters in the Chesapeake, and in
> > the event I anchor overnight.  I understand the GPS alarm can
(hopefully)
> > wake me up if my boat drifts from its anchorage overnight.
> >
> > I mainly got the depth sounder for anchoring.  I'm not thrilled with
> > cutting another hole in the side of the cockpit, but I didn't want to
have
> > the GPS screen be split between the GPS display and the depth sounder
> > display.
> >
> > Anyway, here are my two questions:
> >
> > 1) Will one solar cell be enough if its to power the GPS overnight, in
> > addition to other power drains on the battery?  Should I spend the money
> > to have Stan put on another solar cell (and another battery, assuming
> > there's only one on board) in order to have a dedicated battery for the
> > GPS (with the other battery dedicated to the radio, depth sounder, and
any
> > other electrical needs)?  I have no idea if a GPS can drain a battery
> > overnight.
> >
> > 2) I purchased a GPS with an internal antenna.  My plan was to mount it
on
> > a bracket that could swing into the opening of the cabin and, thus, have
a
> > clear view of the sky.  I didn't want to mount yet another instrument on
> > the cockpit wall (there's already a compass mounted there).  But now
that
> > I think about it, if I want to rely on the GPS while anchoring
overnight,
> > should I have gotten a GPS with a separate antenna so that it could be
> > mounted somewhere on the roof of the cabin?  That way, I can close the
> > cabin door at night and not worry about obstructing the GPS's view of
the
> > sky.  If so, where would you mount the GPS antenna?
> >
> > This is all new to me, so I appreciate any and all advice on these two
> > points.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > -Mark
> > __________________________________________________
> > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
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