Just wondering - I may have my Islandia in a slip for a month or so this summer. Ideally I would like to have the Perko battery switch on so that the emergency bilge pump can run if necessary. However , where the slip is I'm not guaranteed of getting a power hook-up. Would I have a problem with the battery draining?
Islandia - battery draw when turned on?
- Thread starter bobbob911
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slaizer2000
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Install a dual battery setup so you can leave just 1 battery on. I also use a solar charger on my batteries while the boat is parked in my driveway.
I have been looking at solar charger, that might be the better way to go. The added complication with power hook-ups is that they are 30A only where I would be docking, so to plug in a trickle charger would need a 30A to 15A converter. I have heard these devices can be a little flakey.
I just actually read in the manual the automatic bilge function is working even when the Perko switch is OFF. I guess that's preferable, probably less continuous current draw in that state.
I just actually read in the manual the automatic bilge function is working even when the Perko switch is OFF. I guess that's preferable, probably less continuous current draw in that state.
slaizer2000
Active Member
I do believe the bilge does bypass the off switch. You can test to make sure it's working by turning off the switch and putting water in the engine compartment to see if it engages. I had to do this as mine would not turn on when I sprung a small leak (silicone seals had a small leak). Turns out when the boat service shop winterized my boat they removed the float switch from the bilge pump and set it on top of the pump and never told me
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I've been using this one for 2 years and my batteries seem to not be drained and seem to hover around 13 to 13.5 volts. And I sometimes go weeks without using the boat. I keep my battery switch on vs off. IF you have 1 battery you can leave your switch off. I have 2 batteries so I leave my switch set to "both" so the charger charges both batteries (although from what i've read a lot people say not to do this with dual batteries.). I mount it to my trailer so not sure how you would mount it to your boat. I have seen some other ones on amazon that have suction cups on them but I'd be concerned it would lose suction due to the waves and fall off in to the water. I also hardwired a plug in so i can just easily plug the charger in without having to manually connect it to the battery. I don't really know if its the best option but works for me.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q83TGO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tend...rd_wg=EyBvO&psc=1&refRID=WBDRJA0C4VPXFGM82MDP
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tend...rd_wg=gJr4r&psc=1&refRID=99JYVR6CDS0TMHSCKX7B
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N57XLNS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I attached a pic of the sae1 plug/port I put in so I can connect the solar charger without having to access the engine compartment. I also have a sae1 to usb adapter that I can plug in to this port for charging electronic devices.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072JM3NWG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
.I've been using this one for 2 years and my batteries seem to not be drained and seem to hover around 13 to 13.5 volts. And I sometimes go weeks without using the boat. I keep my battery switch on vs off. IF you have 1 battery you can leave your switch off. I have 2 batteries so I leave my switch set to "both" so the charger charges both batteries (although from what i've read a lot people say not to do this with dual batteries.). I mount it to my trailer so not sure how you would mount it to your boat. I have seen some other ones on amazon that have suction cups on them but I'd be concerned it would lose suction due to the waves and fall off in to the water. I also hardwired a plug in so i can just easily plug the charger in without having to manually connect it to the battery. I don't really know if its the best option but works for me.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q83TGO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tend...rd_wg=EyBvO&psc=1&refRID=WBDRJA0C4VPXFGM82MDP
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tend...rd_wg=gJr4r&psc=1&refRID=99JYVR6CDS0TMHSCKX7B
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N57XLNS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I attached a pic of the sae1 plug/port I put in so I can connect the solar charger without having to access the engine compartment. I also have a sae1 to usb adapter that I can plug in to this port for charging electronic devices.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072JM3NWG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Very cool, thanks! For now I was thinking of just running the wires through the engine fire extinguisher port but that looks like a very clean install. Do you recommend the 5W panel vs the 10W or 15W?
Also, have you been able to determine where the "float" is for the automatic bilge to trigger? Or how much water needs to be in there to trigger?
Cheers!
Also, have you been able to determine where the "float" is for the automatic bilge to trigger? Or how much water needs to be in there to trigger?
Cheers!
slaizer2000
Active Member
I run a power cord and regular charger thru the fire extinguisher port during winter. Too much snow and not wanting have to clean off the solar panel in the winter. Also didn’t want cold and ice ruinIng the panel.
I went cheap with the 5 watt panel due to cost and smaller footprint. It works fine but if I were to do it again I might opt for the 15 watt depending on where I want to mount it.
I also plan on plugging the solar panel in when I’m out on the boat and floating (no engine) and possibly somehow mounting it so it can sit on top of the Bimini or some bracket off the bikini posts. Just haven’t gotten to do that yet.
Also note I did run in to one quirk. Spent several hours trying to find out why I couldn’t start the boat. Fuses, wirIng, etc only to find out it Turned out it was because they charger was connected. Lol.
I went cheap with the 5 watt panel due to cost and smaller footprint. It works fine but if I were to do it again I might opt for the 15 watt depending on where I want to mount it.
I also plan on plugging the solar panel in when I’m out on the boat and floating (no engine) and possibly somehow mounting it so it can sit on top of the Bimini or some bracket off the bikini posts. Just haven’t gotten to do that yet.
Also note I did run in to one quirk. Spent several hours trying to find out why I couldn’t start the boat. Fuses, wirIng, etc only to find out it Turned out it was because they charger was connected. Lol.
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