Suggestions for overnight power

[Brian S]

When I take my 2520 out on an extended trip, I usually leave the bait tank on overnight to keep bait alive and not need to get more in the morning. On my last trip, each night the bait tank drained my battery when I woke up and I used the 2nd battery to start the boat. I want to keep the tank on all night, I have a yamaha 1000 generator as well. Can anyone make a suggestion on a way I can use the generator to run my bait tank overnight? Do I need a charger?

Brian

 

[Brian S]

That's a brilliant and simple idea, thanks.

 

[WhalinDave]

I've used a floating bait pen before but found that the bait gets pretty beat up from the transfer between the tank and bait pen. The other problem is the marauding sea lions that will go after your set up at Catalina. I normally run my Honda 2000 generator for several hours at night and in the morning. It's very handy for microwaving popcorn, breakfast burritos, etc. The generator runs my on board battery charger as well. The hondas have a 12volt DC output so you could run it directly to the battery.

 

[Megabyte]

How about something like this?
http://www.classicparker.com/phpBB2/vie ... php?t=4662

Plug your generator into it and your batteries should be fine in the morning.

 

[Brian S]

OK, now that's what I was really looking for. Looks to be a simple and fairly inexpensive project.

 

[Brian S]

Megabyte- last question I have for you, my generator is rated at 8 amps dc output. If I went with the guest charger, should I go with the 4/4? I only run the two batteries, but will that be enough?

 

[Megabyte]

Megabyte- last question I have for you, my generator is rated at 8 amps dc output. If I went with the guest charger, should I go with the 4/4? I only run the two batteries, but will that be enough?

I believe so, but we have some really smart electrical types here on CP that I would need to defer to on that question.
Hopefully one of our folks (smarter than me) will chime in once they come in from fishing. :wink:

 

[jeffnick]

Most 120 VAC generators have a DC output. I'm thinking that 8 amp is about the max for a flywheel output and some brands say don't use both the 120vac and the 12vdc at the same time.

Anyway, if I were you, I'd see if I could get the DC output (usually a special cord) and just connect the cables to the battery that's running the bait tank thingy (we don't fish so I'm not familiar with what that is, but I'd bet it doesn't use more than 8 amps).

BTW, my 1000 honda will run any of these things one at a time.