Sorry in advanced if this post is too long.
I am under contract for a 1999 58" Navigator pilothouse that has been on Lake Michigan for most of it's life and not cruised long distance at all.
I am looking at making this into my home and do the loop in her. Lot's more time on the hook and traveling.
I need to upgrade the house electrical system as it is currently in the same state as it was manufactured in.
Navigator makes a great hull that is all fiberglass and no coring is used in any of the the hull or topside, but they seem to have skimped a little on the electrical system.
I have not found a single fuse on any of the 7 8D batteries in the engine room.
The Volvo engines are 24V and the Thruster is 24v. There are two series 8D batteries for the engines start and two 8d Batteries in series for the thruster, one 8d for the Generator and two 8d batteries in parallel for the house. There are two original chargers and no inverter. They also have a GE profile AC refrigerator in the galley and I am told they just ran the generator when out on the lake.
Shore power is 50A 12/240v.
I have been doing as much research on adding an inverter and probably a transformer (there seem to be two galvanic isolators ) as well as lifepo4 battery bank and have some early questions that I can't seem to get good information on.
Question 1) Should I make a 24v house bank of 12v house bank? Thinking 4) 300AH lifepo4 batteries, 2s2p.
Here is my DC panel:
Most of the electrical upgrades I am making from a chart-plotter,radar perspective are 12v or 24v. The Vesper Cortex I just purchased is also 12v or 24v.
I also read that bildge pumps can take the 24v and not blink, but only one source in a thread mentioned thatand and most of the new dc breakers are 12V or 24V, .
I can put a dc to dc converter at each helm to handle small things like back-up VHF and some of the current instruments that i won't switch out immediately.
Question 2) Will the current panel handle 24v dc current as well as the 12v?
I see multiple answers in many forums and most say it is the amps and not the voltage that is the key, but I will be living on this boat and will not take any unnecessary chances.
Currently budgeting the Victron MultiPlus-II 2x120V 24/3000/70-50 and the Autotransformer 120/240 100A as well as needed dc-dc converters for the 2 helms.
I have 6) 100w 18v flexible solar panels that I am going to start researching next and then look to the engine alternators for upgrades and external regulating and battery isolators.
Any and all comments/ constructive criticisms welcome please.
Thansk,
Mike
I am under contract for a 1999 58" Navigator pilothouse that has been on Lake Michigan for most of it's life and not cruised long distance at all.
I am looking at making this into my home and do the loop in her. Lot's more time on the hook and traveling.
I need to upgrade the house electrical system as it is currently in the same state as it was manufactured in.
Navigator makes a great hull that is all fiberglass and no coring is used in any of the the hull or topside, but they seem to have skimped a little on the electrical system.
I have not found a single fuse on any of the 7 8D batteries in the engine room.
The Volvo engines are 24V and the Thruster is 24v. There are two series 8D batteries for the engines start and two 8d Batteries in series for the thruster, one 8d for the Generator and two 8d batteries in parallel for the house. There are two original chargers and no inverter. They also have a GE profile AC refrigerator in the galley and I am told they just ran the generator when out on the lake.
Shore power is 50A 12/240v.
I have been doing as much research on adding an inverter and probably a transformer (there seem to be two galvanic isolators ) as well as lifepo4 battery bank and have some early questions that I can't seem to get good information on.
Question 1) Should I make a 24v house bank of 12v house bank? Thinking 4) 300AH lifepo4 batteries, 2s2p.
Here is my DC panel:
Most of the electrical upgrades I am making from a chart-plotter,radar perspective are 12v or 24v. The Vesper Cortex I just purchased is also 12v or 24v.
I also read that bildge pumps can take the 24v and not blink, but only one source in a thread mentioned thatand and most of the new dc breakers are 12V or 24V, .
I can put a dc to dc converter at each helm to handle small things like back-up VHF and some of the current instruments that i won't switch out immediately.
Question 2) Will the current panel handle 24v dc current as well as the 12v?
I see multiple answers in many forums and most say it is the amps and not the voltage that is the key, but I will be living on this boat and will not take any unnecessary chances.
Currently budgeting the Victron MultiPlus-II 2x120V 24/3000/70-50 and the Autotransformer 120/240 100A as well as needed dc-dc converters for the 2 helms.
I have 6) 100w 18v flexible solar panels that I am going to start researching next and then look to the engine alternators for upgrades and external regulating and battery isolators.
Any and all comments/ constructive criticisms welcome please.
Thansk,
Mike