[C320-list] Starting Battery

[Dave Anderer]

Good point.  I'm thinking about one of the larger ones 
(http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40615).  
Testing the thing before actually needing it is a very good idea.

I seem to recall that some of these units have a safety feature that 
prevent them from supplying current if they don't sense current on their 
connections - that is, they work with pretty-dead batteries, but not 
with 100%-dead-or-not-connected batteries.  Could that have been what 
you saw?

Bill Culbertson wrote:
> Be sure it has enough oompf.  
>    
>   I had been thinking of doing the same thing as you.  Then I finally tested the jumpstarter that I have with the main batteries disconnected.  It wouldn't even turn the Yanmar 3GM30F over let alone start it.  It was probably 80dF outsite as well.
>    
>   The jumpstarter I have does not indicate what its power is and I can't find that data on the web for it.
>    
>    -bill
>   
> Dave Anderer <danderer at udel.edu> wrote:
>   The more I think about it, the more I think this can be a cost-effective 
> solution for a coastal cruiser. Here is how I'd use the thing:
>
> - Charge the jumpstarter every month or so. (I've got AC at the slip, 
> so no problem.) Stick it in a locker. (Will take no more room than a 
> 3rd battery.)
> - Run the house batteries in BOTH. Don't run them below 40-50%. (I'm 
> installing a battery monitor, and like to keep track of such things.)
> - Start the engine using the house batteries. (Should be possible even 
> if they're drained down to 25% or possibly lower.)
> - If I really screw up, use the jumpstarter.
> - If I really, really, really screw up, call Towboat US or someone.
>
> Now sure, the jumpstarter probably won't start the engine at 30 degrees 
> F. And I wouldn't take this approach if I was going to be sailing to 
> Tahiti. But for coastal work in mild weather, seeing how you can buy 
> one of these units for about the cost of a new battery switch, it makes 
> sense. And I can use it for other things during the off-season.
>
> Now likely this is something I'll never use. It is just insurance. And 
> even if I need it, and it fails, it isn't going to sink the boat.
>
> Jeff Church wrote:
>   
>> There has been some discussion on the C36 list about using a portable 
>> jumpstart powerpack instead of a dedicated starter battery. Everstart 
>> and Xantrex make powerpacks, there are probably many others. They seem 
>> like a nice simple solution. Plug them in for a charge every 2 or 3 
>> months and you are set. If the house batteries ever drain too low to 
>> start the engine, jumpstart the engine with the powerpack and you are 
>> back in business. In addition, with the powerpack as a safety you can 
>> use your house batteries in parallel (battery switch set to BOTH) and 
>> you will not subject them to as deep a cycle as if you ran then 
>> individually. Is there a downside to this?
>>     
>
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