Orion Specifications - Electrical Power
October 2010
Orion utilizes both 110-volt and 12-volt power systems. While we are in a marina slip, we can use both systems; however, most other times, we run off the 12-volt battery system. Therefore, it is very important to take good care of the batteries.
We carry two 50' 30-amp power cords to plug into shore power. In addition, we have a 50-amp to 30-amp adapter. Air conditioning, battery charger, heater, microwave, and a trouble light exclusively use the 110-volt system. Orion's hot water system can use either 110-volt power or heat water utilizing the engine's fresh water cooling system.
Orion's batteries power everything else. Given the critical nature of some of these systems, it's imperative that we have sufficient power available for them. Our batteries are separated into three banks. Although we can combine the batteries to run anything, we generally dedicate one bank to starting the engine, one bank for running the “house”, and a spare “house” bank to run our refrigeration when equalizing our other “house” bank or for use in an emergency.
The engine bank consists of a 12-volt group 24 starting battery that is capable of producing 875-cranking amps. This battery is exclusively used to start the engine and is primarily charged by the engine's 55-amp alternator. Alternative charging sources include Orion's Xantrex 20-amp battery charger.
Orion's house “bank” consists of four 6-volt golf cart batteries. Combining the batteries in series forms two 12-volt sets of batteries. These two sets are then connected in parallel thus creating a 440-amp battery bank. This battery bank is charged either through the engine's 55-amp alternator, Xantrex 20-amp battery charger or Iota 55-amp battery charger.
Orion’s emergency “house” bank consists of two 6-volt golf cart batteries. Combining these batteries in series forms a 12-volt battery bank consisting of 220-amps. It is used to power our refrigeration when the other “house” bank is being equalized. Additionally, it can be used to start the boat or run our equipment should either of the other battery banks fail.
Our Xantrex Link 20 battery monitor provides information on each “house” banks' voltage, current amp usage, total amp consumption, and estimated time remaining. Generally, this information isn’t required for a starting battery.
We carry two 50' 30-amp power cords to plug into shore power. In addition, we have a 50-amp to 30-amp adapter. Air conditioning, battery charger, heater, microwave, and a trouble light exclusively use the 110-volt system. Orion's hot water system can use either 110-volt power or heat water utilizing the engine's fresh water cooling system.
Orion's batteries power everything else. Given the critical nature of some of these systems, it's imperative that we have sufficient power available for them. Our batteries are separated into three banks. Although we can combine the batteries to run anything, we generally dedicate one bank to starting the engine, one bank for running the “house”, and a spare “house” bank to run our refrigeration when equalizing our other “house” bank or for use in an emergency.
The engine bank consists of a 12-volt group 24 starting battery that is capable of producing 875-cranking amps. This battery is exclusively used to start the engine and is primarily charged by the engine's 55-amp alternator. Alternative charging sources include Orion's Xantrex 20-amp battery charger.
Orion's house “bank” consists of four 6-volt golf cart batteries. Combining the batteries in series forms two 12-volt sets of batteries. These two sets are then connected in parallel thus creating a 440-amp battery bank. This battery bank is charged either through the engine's 55-amp alternator, Xantrex 20-amp battery charger or Iota 55-amp battery charger.
Orion’s emergency “house” bank consists of two 6-volt golf cart batteries. Combining these batteries in series forms a 12-volt battery bank consisting of 220-amps. It is used to power our refrigeration when the other “house” bank is being equalized. Additionally, it can be used to start the boat or run our equipment should either of the other battery banks fail.
Our Xantrex Link 20 battery monitor provides information on each “house” banks' voltage, current amp usage, total amp consumption, and estimated time remaining. Generally, this information isn’t required for a starting battery.
Although it's nice to always have fully charged batteries, it's not realistic to keep the active “house” battery bank fully charged while anchored. Since it's not good for the batteries to become more than 50% discharged and too inefficient to charge them beyond 85% capacity, we maintain the batteries within these parameters by monitoring them via the Link 20.
We generally use 50 to 75 amps of power a day while anchored. The biggest variables are how often the refrigerator turns on and computer usage. This results in our needing to charge the batteries after 3 days at anchor and every other day thereafter. Our general approach is to use our Honda EU 2000i generator to directly feed the Iota 55-amp battery charger. By running the charger at full capacity for about 2 hours, our batteries are back to 85% capacity.
When we were cruising full time on Orion, we had 4 Uni-Solar 32 watt flexible solar panels. (These have now been moved to Orion Jr.) Depending on the amount of sunlight, they will met our daytime energy needs plus an additional 10 amps. They were mounted on top of the bimini.
It’s unclear as to how often the “house” bank batteries need to be equalized, but they perform much better if fully charged at least once a month. In general, we have heard that they should be equalized anywhere from monthly to semi-annually. Only more time will help us determine the right frequency for Orion.
We generally use 50 to 75 amps of power a day while anchored. The biggest variables are how often the refrigerator turns on and computer usage. This results in our needing to charge the batteries after 3 days at anchor and every other day thereafter. Our general approach is to use our Honda EU 2000i generator to directly feed the Iota 55-amp battery charger. By running the charger at full capacity for about 2 hours, our batteries are back to 85% capacity.
When we were cruising full time on Orion, we had 4 Uni-Solar 32 watt flexible solar panels. (These have now been moved to Orion Jr.) Depending on the amount of sunlight, they will met our daytime energy needs plus an additional 10 amps. They were mounted on top of the bimini.
It’s unclear as to how often the “house” bank batteries need to be equalized, but they perform much better if fully charged at least once a month. In general, we have heard that they should be equalized anywhere from monthly to semi-annually. Only more time will help us determine the right frequency for Orion.
