pioneercmt
2011-03-13 00:35:04
I just bought a commercial salmon troller, and am trying to make sure everything is up to code as far as Coast Guard safety regulations go. One thing I see is that 46 CFR 28.375 that says in part (a) and (b),
ยง 28.375 Emergency source of electrical power.
(a) Each vessel must have an emergency source of electrical power which is independent of the main sources of electrical power and which is located outside the main machinery space.
(b) The emergency source of electrical power must be capable of supplying all connected loads continuously for at least 3 hours.
Was wondering how you guys satisfy this requirement for your vessels? I have an alternator on the engine in the engine room. But, the two 8-D batteries are located in a box outside of the engine room, at my feet at the helm (the box doubles as my foot rest). Assuming these batteries can power the SSB and VHF for 3 hours, would these qualify? I'm guessing the "main source" of power in this case would be the engine driven alternator?
Alternatively, I was thinking of getting a 3 output battery charger, and having one of the batteries located outside of the engine room somewhere, dedicated to the radios, maybe isolated by a breaker.
I also have a gas operated honda generator that I use to power the HPS lamps, which I suppose I can use one of the 120 VAC output to plug into the shorepower receptacle to power the battery charger.
Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Frank