Adding a third battery

[btrayfors]

One other point, often overlooked.

There are actually fewer jumper cables required when linking 6V batteries together than when linking 12V batteries.

For example, to link two 6V golf-cart batteries together in series to make a 12V 225AH bank, you need: ONE jumper cable.

To link two 12V batteries together in parallel you need TWO jumper cables.

Bill

[sailingdog]

True, but if you're only going to have two house bank batteries, then you're better off with two 12 VDC ones, as if either dies, you still have one to use...if one of the two 6 VDC ones dies, you have bupkus.

Originally Posted by btrayfors

One other point, often overlooked.

There are actually fewer jumper cables required when linking 6V batteries together than when linking 12V batteries.

For example, to link two 6V golf-cart batteries together in series to make a 12V 225AH bank, you need: ONE jumper cable.

To link two 12V batteries together in parallel you need TWO jumper cables.

Bill

[dvuyxx]

This is extremely helpful.

For a 35 footer on a mooring, do you think that I will have more success with a solar panel or a wind gen? Which do you think is more economical in the long run?

[JimsCAL]

Originally Posted by dvuyxx

For a 35 footer on a mooring, do you think that I will have more success with a solar panel or a wind gen? Which do you think is more economical in the long run?

For just keeping the batteries topped up while you're away? If so, a small solar panel is adequate. Or are you going to live aboard? Then go for the wind generator.

[sailingdog]

Do you need full battery charging or maintenance charging? Did you read the POST on my blog that I linked to earlier. In most areas, I'd say solar is better than wind. Wind is higher maintenance and a lot less welcome in many places, since most wind gens are fairly noisy.

Originally Posted by dvuyxx

This is extremely helpful.

For a 35 footer on a mooring, do you think that I will have more success with a solar panel or a wind gen? Which do you think is more economical in the long run?

You can get solar power fairly inexpensively, if you look here.