May 28, 2015

I spent the long holiday weekend in L.A., so it was a short work week.  The new Xantrex Echo Charge arrived, and I got it installed.  It works as expected:  directing charging current from the house bank charging sources to the starting battery.  The Echo Charge is the main switcher when unplugged, directing charging current from the solar panels and/or engine alternator. It is a “voltage follower,” so whatever the charge voltage going to the house bank is the voltage going to the starting battery.  (Maximum current is limited to 15 amps.)  The Pro Nautic charger and the Echo Charge both sense the condition of the batteries and the charging voltage, and react accordingly. So everything takes care of itself whether plugged in or not so long as the main battery switches are set to the house bank.  All the wiring is now essentially complete, secured, fused and identified.  No new starting battery yet as there was some miscommunication about the order.  Should be in next Tuesday.

No welding on the watermaker bracket yet either.  MAYBE tomorrow.  I’m also still waiting on the last of the watermaker parts.  Nonetheless, I got started on the installation.  A lot of measuring and head-scratching was needed to determine the best possible locations for the many components.  Considerations included ease of access, installation feasibility and the length of hose required vs. what was included in the kit.  So far the trickiest bit will be the placement of membrane between the high pressure pump and the control panel.  If I am lucky, it can be done with the supplied high pressure hoses, otherwise, I’ll have to get additional hose, which is a a bit pricey.  So far I have mounted two filter modules and the raw water strainer and shut off valve.  I had a few questions along the way, and the support from Rich at Cruise RO is every bit as good as everyone says it is.  Stay tuned to see how it goes….