Charging batteries

Regeneration:

Place the throttle in neutral with the keyswitch "on" and the propeller will rotate while under sail. This will regenerate power, causing the batteries to charge. Typically, an afternoon of sailing can replace the power used to motor in and out of the marina. Most boats will start regenerating at 3.5 – 4 knots boat speed. When at, or near hull speed, the charging current should be around 4A – 6A.

Solar/Wind Power:

Solar panels or a wind generator can be added to supplement regeneration and shore power charging. This is especially useful for moored boats. Solar, wind and/or regenerative charging can allow the boat owner to be completely free of the power grid and fossil fuel power.

Shore Power Charging:

We highly recommend modern “smart” shore power chargers. Typically, these are microprocessor controlled chargers that sense the charge level of a battery and step down the charging current as full charge is approached. When the batteries are fully charged, they will turn off. This prevents over charging. If AGM or Gel batteries are used, a good quality charger designed for the specific type is a must.