Boat Cabin Lighting

I have heard of a marine deep cycle battery,
but I do not know how to connect them all up?
any help here please?
Thanks

Its not difficult but there are a few things you need to know - size of cables, fusing, switches, etc.
You can find a host of books at Amazon and a good enough one is 'The 12 volt Bible for boats' - it is about £12 and tells you all you need to know in a fairly simple form. Do get it as fire is a big hazard on boats especially if you have bottled gas as well.

2010-07-22 09:12:46 by Jo

I am trying to hook up rope lights in my boat. I took out the old lights in the cutty cabin and have access to the original 2 power wires. Can I run the new rope lights (designed for plug-in 110volts) to these wires after taking off the plug which originally came attached to the rope lights or do I need an inverter.

I use 12 volt L.E.D. rope lamps for the ambiance, I use a variable slide resistor switch to control brightness. I have replace all of my energy draining lamps with L.E.D. Even my mast head lights.

2010-09-16 20:21:01 by Dave

Price: $9.95 $2.75

12 volt DC, very low (under 40mA current draw) power use, with color coded wiring (requires installation)
Just 1 1/2" long with 2 mounting holes
Compact black ABS plastic housing with 4 very bright White color LEDs

I have a 19.5' boat with a cuddy cabin that I would like to air condition when we 'camp' overnight in the boat. I would prefer a unit that runs on Direct Current (DC), but I can use an inverter to run an A/C model if need-be.

The problem that I have been having is that all of the models I have found so far are WAY to big for my small space application we are talking about. The total volume of the cuddy cabin is only about 144 cubic feet (4.07 cubic meters), so something in the 500-1,000 BTU range would be more than sufficient. Most of the marine air units that I'm finding are 5-8,000 BTUs and are designed for a boat with a full cabin. I do not not need a heater function on the unit, but if it has one, its not a deal breaker.

Other specs... there is an overhead 12" x 12" square hatch (with rounded corners) on the ceiling of the cuddy, and a vertical bi-fold door approximately 2' wide by 3' tall. Ideally a unit would fit in one of those, but I'm willing to construct some ductwork or baffles if need be. I can do any wiring needed, and can add extra batteries if need be. I'm even willing to some light modification on the unit if it is otherwise acceptable.

So, does anyone know where I can get such an air conditioning unit? I have been searching online for nearly a month and have not found anything that comes close to what I'm looking for. With all of the cuddy cabin's out there I'm astonished that I'm the only who seems to want an A/C on board.
I'm actually going to have to respectfully disagree with you about it being impossible. In the last 24 hours I posted this question in another place and several people have pointed me towards several 250W 1000BTU units a 250W unit should run for at least 6 hours continuously on the 160Amp gel-cell we use for house power. That's more than ample to cool the cuddy overnight for sleeping. before charging the battery back up with the motor. I've recently found some DC solutions designed by people wanting to run solar-only. I'll post what I've personally found after the question expires.

You are certainly not the only one that wants A/C on board.

The problem is not so much the A/C unit, but the electricity requirement to run it. And, in a vessel under about 26' it becomes an issue of space, weight, and economics, as well as electrical demands - and even for a small cuddy cabin, it is a quite different and more complex issue then (say) the air-conditioning for your car.

For example: The problem with spending "cool & comfortable" tropical weather nights in your boat anchored out with no shore power... is of course, having enough electricity to run the A/C unit.

My vessel has 2 banks of 6 x 12v batteries, plus to 2 "house" batteries for a total of 14 batteries (which weigh over 2,200 lbs. (162 lbs ea). In addition I have a roof-top 10' x 20' array of solar panels and a 6 kw generator for back up. My 2 banks of 6 batteries are wired in a series to produce 144 VDC power source which is converted to 110ac. Anchored out at night running the A/C, my generator will kick on every 4 hours and run for about an hour.

Now granted, I live full-time and cruise aboard my boat. And while you can do with a smaller A/C unit, you still need to produce and store the same amount of electricity - which means, either your generator is running all the time your A/C unit is running (which is not good for either fuel or noise) or you need the space and weight capacity for a ton (literally) of batteries.

This is why so many vessels under 40 feet can only operate their A/C with shore power or while their generator (if they have one) is running. And why you are having such an impossible time of finding a suitable A/C unit for your vessel.

So for overnight camping on your boat with air-conditioning, you will need a generator as well as the A/C unit. Your 20' cuddy will not have the capacity to carry 12 x 12v deep cell marine batteries. And the fact is, there just is no economical way to do this on a recreational weekend use vessel, and that's why these small boat manufacturers don't do it.

Good luck,
John

2010-07-25 22:36:05 by Brian G

Price: $9.95 $3.22

Just 1 1/2" long with 2 mounting holes
12 volt DC, very low (under 40mA current draw) power use, with color coded wiring (requires installation)
A compact and convenient LED Light housing for use in Autos, Boats, RVs, Trucks and Aircraft

I want to build an aluminium planing boat for three occupants, length about 5 to 6 metres, with a light and low, but fully enclosed, aluminium cabin.
It's supposed to be a commuter boat for use on the Otago Harbour in southern New Zealand.
I want to be able to plane, but the speed limit is 25 knots - which I hope to reach, give or take about 8 knots. I like the idea of using a Yanmar Diesel outboard motor. They come with up to 39 horsepower. Would I need that much?
Thanks.

I would say you have a hope in hell. For a boat that size, and this would be the min I would say 90hp, if your goping out in swell or rough condistions etc then a min of 115, what is the boat rated for that will give you an idea.

2007-02-06 22:55:12 by Chaco-Yekke Downyonder

I'm thinking about buying a used boat. I'm looking at these manufacturers. Are there any on here that I should avoid? Which are regarded as the more high quality lines?
In no order:
Renken
Chaparral
Four Wins
Crownline
Chris Craft
Wellcraft

Information that may be relevant to your answers:
I'm looking at either a runabout, or possibly a cuddy cabin. primarily it would be used for skiing/tubing, cruising, and some light fishing. the biggest i'd be looking at would be 24', but probably more likely 18-21'. I'm leaning towards a stern drive.
Thanks in advance!
The boat will also be used in fresh water only.

You stated you were buying a used boat, therefore high quality lines doesn't matter as much as how the boat was stored, used and abused.

for 10 year old 19' cuddies

A bayliner (considered low end) plywood core chop sprayed fiberglass sells for $10k to $20k brand new. If stored indoors washed and dried after every outing, and maintenance done to the motor. Low hours on the engine due to an adult couple only taking it out a few weekend during the summer on the freshwater lake by their house.

compares with:

a four winns (considered mid range) foam core woven glass layup costing $30K to $40k new. left outside with boat cover on, spent more time on the water due to family outing and pulling the kids on the tubes.

compares with a

cobalt (considered high end) solid injection molded fiberglass costing $80-90K new. Left outside in sun and rain, ran with anything from low grade gas to stolen camp fuel. Hauled by coast to coast by group of early twenties wake boarder trying to impress the ladies. Beached in the surf, carpet molded from beer and pizza stains. engine still has original oil from the manufacture even though it turned to crude about 1000 hours ago.

2007-06-05 13:38:12 by Toast