[Rhodes22-list] Solar Cells, Batteries, and GPS

[Arthur H. Czerwonky]

Dan,
Why not try the simplest option?  If you get a unit at Bass Pro, West, or a normal shop, you can return it for any reason. I don't think I would want the external antenna or associated wiring if not necessary, and I can't imagine it would be.
Art

-----Original Message-----
>From: daniel snyder <danielsnyder at adelphia.net>
>Sent: Feb 9, 2006 5:06 PM
>To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cells, Batteries, and GPS
>
>Mark, I have exactly the same question on the GPS antenna.  I'm purchasing 
>the Lowrance 337 which is out just this month with an internal 
>antenna....same price for the external antenna model.  I don't know which 
>one to get for the same reasons you mentioned.  I was leaning towards the 
>external antenna so that I might have a bit more flexibility in where to 
>mount the unit itself.  Hope someone on the list can help.
>
>Dan Snyder
>New London, NH
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: <mputnam1 at aol.com>
>To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 4:07 PM
>Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cells, Batteries, and GPS
>
>
>> As I've mentioned before, I'll be receiving my recycled R22 from Stan in 
>> the next month or so ... and I have a question about battery power and 
>> solar cells.
>>
>> As some background: The 1990 R22 that I'm purchasing has one solar cell 
>> and one battery (although Stan is checking to be sure there's not another 
>> battery hidden somewhere on board).
>>
>> After much agonizing over cost, I went ahead and purchased a GPS system 
>> and a separate depth sounder.  I mainly want the GPS in the event of an 
>> emergency, if I'm sailing in unfamiliar waters in the Chesapeake, and in 
>> the event I anchor overnight.  I understand the GPS alarm can (hopefully) 
>> wake me up if my boat drifts from its anchorage overnight.
>>
>> I mainly got the depth sounder for anchoring.  I'm not thrilled with 
>> cutting another hole in the side of the cockpit, but I didn't want to have 
>> the GPS screen be split between the GPS display and the depth sounder 
>> display.
>>
>> Anyway, here are my two questions:
>>
>> 1) Will one solar cell be enough if its to power the GPS overnight, in 
>> addition to other power drains on the battery?  Should I spend the money 
>> to have Stan put on another solar cell (and another battery, assuming 
>> there's only one on board) in order to have a dedicated battery for the 
>> GPS (with the other battery dedicated to the radio, depth sounder, and any 
>> other electrical needs)?  I have no idea if a GPS can drain a battery 
>> overnight.
>>
>> 2) I purchased a GPS with an internal antenna.  My plan was to mount it on 
>> a bracket that could swing into the opening of the cabin and, thus, have a 
>> clear view of the sky.  I didn't want to mount yet another instrument on 
>> the cockpit wall (there's already a compass mounted there).  But now that 
>> I think about it, if I want to rely on the GPS while anchoring overnight, 
>> should I have gotten a GPS with a separate antenna so that it could be 
>> mounted somewhere on the roof of the cabin?  That way, I can close the 
>> cabin door at night and not worry about obstructing the GPS's view of the 
>> sky.  If so, where would you mount the GPS antenna?
>>
>> This is all new to me, so I appreciate any and all advice on these two 
>> points.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> -Mark
>> __________________________________________________
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>> 
>
>
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