Generator, Starter/House or other?

[Northbound]

Hi Everyone- Just looking for some opinions based on experience and such- We have a 220DA that I am "optimizing" right now, and could use some advice. Keep in mind every pound counts onboard a "Week-long-trip-two-kids&dog+paddleboards+140Cooler+Legos&10-stuffed animals+allmybeertogetthroughit" 220 Sundancer. We do some island overnights, maximum 2-3 before back on shore power. We run a small TV, battery chargers for phones, tablets, etc- lights are mostly rechargeable or LED. The loads are very light.

Currently Setup is:

2 brand new 105ah AGM batteries, 70lbs each, split separate on 1/2 battery switch

Looking to get a starter AGM (55lbs) and putting the 105's in parallel - or a 2000w Generator (39lbs) and keeping the 105's split

From experience, which is the better option? Is a Genny absolutely necessary if i have 210ah? I grew up on a 300Da, and we had a Genny, but I feel battery tech has changed alot in that time (1990's). We make coffee on a french press with the butane stove, so that's not an issue

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[northern]

Pretend you are in a tent. What do you need. We have a 21 foot jetboat we cook, sleep on and shower on (6 gallon hot water tank we heat with engine cooling system). It has 2 group 24 deep cycle batteries and we cook on a gas stove. Boat has a 350 Vortex goes 40 MPH. Boat dry weight is 3400 pounds with us, 190 gallons of fuel. food for 30 days and 15 gallons of water boat works well without any source of power except the 2 batteries. Longest river we have done is the McKenzie in Canada 1000 miles. A portable generator would just be extra space used we do not have.
With the engine you have you will probably sink the boat with gear before it will not plane.

 

[dmorris800]

Hi Everyone- Just looking for some opinions based on experience and such- We have a 220DA that I am "optimizing" right now, and could use some advice. Keep in mind every pound counts onboard a "Week-long-trip-two-kids&dog+paddleboards+140Cooler+Legos&10-stuffed animals+allmybeertogetthroughit" 220 Sundancer. We do some island overnights, maximum 2-3 before back on shore power. We run a small TV, battery chargers for phones, tablets, etc- lights are mostly rechargeable or LED. The loads are very light.

Currently Setup is:

2 brand new 105ah AGM batteries, 70lbs each, split separate on 1/2 battery switch

Looking to get a starter AGM (55lbs) and putting the 105's in parallel - or a 2000w Generator (39lbs) and keeping the 105's split

From experience, which is the better option? Is a Genny absolutely necessary if i have 210ah? I grew up on a 300Da, and we had a Genny, but I feel battery tech has changed alot in that time (1990's). We make coffee on a french press with the butane stove, so that's not an issue

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I doubt you would have space for a marine genny with the pickup and water muffler / discharge. A small Honda portable would give you some extra juice but I would not run it on the boat due to CO concerns, but on your island you certainly could. Most likely cheaper than lithium battery bank which would be an alternative.

 

[Northbound]

Whoops yes to be clear- the generator would be a small 2000w external unit, no room for a built in, and never running on the boat, on the shore (We always have docks where we overnight) Maybe a Honda 1000eu just to charge the batteries should they go flat

 

[Northbound]

Pretend you are in a tent. What do you need. We have a 21 foot jetboat we cook, sleep on and shower on (6 gallon hot water tank we heat with engine cooling system). It has 2 group 24 deep cycle batteries and we cook on a gas stove. Boat has a 350 Vortex goes 40 MPH. Boat dry weight is 3400 pounds with us, 190 gallons of fuel. food for 30 days and 15 gallons of water boat works well without any source of power except the 2 batteries. Longest river we have done is the McKenzie in Canada 1000 miles. A portable generator would just be extra space used we do not have.
With the engine you have you will probably sink the boat with gear before it will not plane.

Great thoughts- maybe I am thinking we draw more power then we do. I have purchased 2 bluetooth battery monitors for next year but will not be able to test until then. Space is a premium on the tiny dancer.

Your statement makes me think that I should chuck an AGM starter battery in there for piece of mind and just run on the bank always, and keep the starter for emergencies. AGM has very little self discharge. The bank has 1000cca so it can be used as a starter no issue.

 

[dmorris800]

Whoops yes to be clear- the generator would be a small 2000w external unit, no room for a built in, and never running on the boat, on the shore (We always have docks where we overnight) Maybe a Honda 1000eu just to charge the batteries should they go flat

Agreed, do you have shore charger for the battery bank? If so the genny could charge everything in an hour or so.

 

[Northbound]

I do- I have a promariner dual bank - I think as long as I watch my battery switch, the three battery setup should be all we need. The generator would require a little gas can, and storage on deck. Leaning toward getting a starter battery and being careful with the switching