[...]
-> They also suck battery power in devistatingly high amounts well beyon
-> the item they are driving.  If you are running a laptop off of one,
-> expect several hours from a normal Deep Cycle batt..  If you run anyt
-> over 300 watts, best leave the motor running, anything over 500 watts
-> best check the size of the alternator on your engine.
->
-> Most I/O's of the past several years have alt's much smaller then the
-> auto counter parts for reasons unknown to me..  In my case, I have an
-> 1978 Camaro in storage.  It comes with an 80 amp alternator.  My 1985
-> Regal with 2 GM engined I/O's totals 70 amp between the 2! (35 amps e
-> engine)..
Hi Greg,
This is my first time on in this echo, but when I saw your post I just
had to reply.
I too have steep electrical needs while on the water.  My wife has M/S
and requires air conditioning in order to stay on the water down here in
Florida.
I am looking into a Monterery 296 (a beautiful boat!!).  I think I am
getting a good price at around $73k for it (new).  The problem is that
when I add in the 4.5kw generator the price goes up by $5k.
The dealer is telling me that I can't put my brandnew 5kw generator
onboard because it is air cooled.  I suspect that there are $$$ reasons
involved.  :)
The 296 (at that price) comes with a 9,000 btu air conditioner which
keeps the cabin very cool.  I had thought (for a moment anyways) to try
to rig something up with inverters.  We use inverters in our van for my
wife's hospital bed and alternating air matteress with no harm to the
battery.
Btw, the 296 comes with twin 250 merc's with 80 amp alternators (on
each) and three batteries as standard equipment. I was thinking that I
could put up to ten more batteries in there with inverters and then
charge them back when the engine was running.... but even if this is
possible, ten marine batteries will run around $700 and then the
inverters themselves will bring the cost up.... maybe I'm better off
just putting out the additional $5,000 for the factory installed 4.5kw
generator and be done with.  What really gets me is that the sales tax
on the 296 is almost as much as the generator.
As for your coffee problem.... down here on the Gulf of Mexico, warming
things up isn't the problem :).  I used to have a poonton boat that I
rigged up to make coffee.  Basicly I just had a box that directed the
sun's rays to a glass flask (the water would actually *boil*, on some
days) and then run the hot water through an unplugged Mr. Coffee.  The
power of the sun is unbelievable... but consider that the water temp in
the Gulf goes to around 90F in July and Aug.
Steve
Pensacola, Fl.
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