Conference unifix::sailing

1503.0. ""PropCharger"" by SWAM3::MILLMAN_JA (I'd rather be cruising......) Wed May 09 1990 17:41

    I have reciently added a Scott Industries "PropCharger" and had a
    chance this past week end to try it out.  The unit consists of a 10"
    pully that fits aft of the transmission (it will only work with a Hurt,
    B/W and Yanmar transmission) and between it aqnd the prop flange.  The
    pully is about 1/4" thick.  The charger is an very large case low PRM
    unit that mounts on the transmission.
    
    I have a HanChristian 38 with a 3 blade prop.  6 knots seems to be the
    dividing line from trickle charge to 20 amps at 6.1 knots and 40 amps
    at 6.4/.5 knots.  Sorry, but I have a 32,000 plus pound boat and don't
    get much past this.  However I left the unit connected when I run the
    engin and when in gear it was giving 90 plus amps.
    
    I had first herad about this charger when I was in the South Pacific. 
    There was another boat on his way to Hawaii that had lost the use of
    his engine that I heard on one of the Ham Nets.  When asked about his
    electrical concerns the guy replyed that he had pulley arrangment on
    his prop and was getting all the electricity he needed.
    
    My feeling was that with anything over 15 amps I would have no problem
    running my auto pilot, Radar (if needed all night) and anything else
    without bringing my batteries down.
    
    During the South Pacific trip I lost the use of my engine 8 days from
    landfall on the way from Hawaii to California.  Luckely I had a Honda
    portable generator and enough gas to run it every day so I had no
    electrical problems.  This "PropCharger" seems to fit my need for long
    didtance cruising.