[C320-list] Batteries Off or All

[Bill Culbertson]

My routine is similar to Allan's except for his clever odd/even month approach.
   
  I also leave the charger and fridge on 24/7.  When I arrive at the boat, I switch the battery from whatever it is on to the other one.  I never use All at the dock.  Each morning that I'm aboard, I switch to the other battery as part of the making coffee routine.
   
  When I leave the boat (almost always @ end of day), I switch it to the other battery from what it has been on all day basically pre-switching for the following morning.  In the rare case that I need to leave the boat in the morning, I leave it be.
   
  The theory is that they get equal use time and equal resting time same as Allan's.  With the fridge on 24/7, you only want it on one battery just as he described. All would kill them both in the event of charger malfunction or extended power outage at the marina.  In the very start of my season before fridge and at the tail end of the season after fridge, I turn to Off when I leave the boat.  I still leave the charger on 24/7.
   
  For winter hauled out ashore, I leave to Off and drive down to charge once a month or so.  Some folks disconnect - I've never bothered.  Allan's scheme is nice because you always know what it is supposed to be set to.  I have a Link20 so I can tell from the readings whether I've remembered to switch it or not.  Same idea - different implementation.

  And yes, all you starting battery guys are feeling like you are glad you left all that bother behind while you get you extra life out of your combined battery bank :)
   
   -bill culbertson
    Harmony #859
  
Allan Field <Allan.Field at comcast.net> wrote:
  John - The fridge on Sea Shadow runs from the end of March to the end of
November with one defrosting in between. At the dock, I keep the battery
switch on #1 for the odd number months and #2 for the even number months and
the charger on 24/7. When I had the stock charger and it failed, it took
both batteries down to the point they would not recharge and needed to be
replaced. Now if the replacement Xantrex charger goes down or the power
goes off at the dock, I still have a battery when I come down next.

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808
Columbia, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of jsail320 at cox.net
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 6:31 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Batteries Off or All

For years I have left my batteries set to ALL when at the dock with the
shore power connected. Today I was told by a guy I respect as knowing his
stuff, that the batteries should be set to OFF while at the dock.

What does the list do??

John
s/v Lady K



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