[Rhodes22-list] auto pilot/battery

Christine Allison rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org
Tue, 20 Aug 2002 09:43:10 -0400


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These units draw about 550ma/hr when in use. Less when idling.  I use a =
small flex solar panel (produces 350/400ma/hr) to keep the battery =
topped up.   If you have a smallish battery the panel should produce =
enough current to replace what is used by the tiller pilot plus stay =
ahead of the batteries normal inclination to self discharge .=20

On the average I sail once a week for 8-10 hours with the tiller pilot =
powered up.  I actually use the unit for steering about half the time =
(on average) so far I have had no issue with insufficient battery =
capacity.

Richard Smith

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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>These units draw about 550ma/hr when in use. =
Less when=20
idling.&nbsp; I use a small flex solar panel (produces 350/400ma/hr) to =
keep the=20
battery topped up.&nbsp;&nbsp; If you have a smallish battery the panel =
should=20
produce enough current to replace what is used by the tiller pilot plus =
stay=20
ahead of&nbsp;the batteries normal&nbsp;inclination to self discharge=20
.&nbsp;</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>On the average I sail once a week for 8-10 hours =
with the=20
tiller pilot powered up.&nbsp; I actually use the unit for steering =
about half=20
the time (on average) so far I have had no issue with insufficient =
battery=20
capacity.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>Richard Smith</FONT></DIV>
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