[C320-list] Battery Selector Switch

[stevelgross]

If your batteries are Lead acid cells and more than 5 or (with luck} 6 years
old, they are at the end of their life. Lead acid cells tend to die a rapid
death at that age.  The plates become coated with sulfate and won't hold a
charge.  
We had a similar experience on the eave of a 100 mile boat move.  We turned
off the shore powered battery charger the prior evening and woke in the
departure day AM, finding batteries would not turn over the engine.  We were
fortunate that the marina crew was able to install replacements prior to our
departure.   


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Vpweikel at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 3:44 PM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Battery Selector Switch

We had what I call a strange and unexpected occurrence while anchored out  
this weekend.
 
Before retiring for the night, I was careful to put the selector switch on  
battery #2 only so that in case the battery bank was drawn down, I'd have  
battery #1 for a back-up to start the engine.
 
As I expected, the anchor light and a few other small miscellaneous uses  
drew the battery down low enough that the engine would not crank ( I
purposely  
turned the reefer circuit off ).  Feeling good about the back-up plan, I  
switched over to battery #1 and turned the key.  Nothing !  Both  batteries
were 
down.
 
I know for a fact that the batteries are at least 5 years old since I  have 
not replaced them.  The boat is a 1996 and for all I know the  batteries
could 
be 10 years old which is well beyond the normal expected life  span.  But
that 
doesn't explain to me satisfactorily why both banks were  discharged with
the 
selector switch set to #2 only.  Surely, even a tired,  old battery would 
hold charge for 14 hours - but maybe I'm wrong.
 
Has anyone experienced this ?
 
I'm beginning to think that something must be wired wrong or the selector  
switch failed.  This was the first real "test" of the system that we  have
done. 
 Any suggestions on how to make the proper checks of the system  both switch

and house wiring ?
 
I am planning on replacing the batteries soon.  At the moment, I  just think

this should not have happened given the precautions that were  taken.
 
 
The good news is that, the new portable 1200 Watt generator was on-board
and 
in 30 minutes running time the batteries were topped up enough to start the

engine and get us underway. 
 
 
Paul Weikel
Second Chance
#361
Georgetown, MD
 



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