[C320-list] Re Batteries & Fridge

[Irving Grunes]

Jack,
I'm not sure but I think that the engine alternator only charges the battery
that it is connected to.
So if you use both batteries to start, leave it there until you shut it
down, then you will be putting charge into both batteries.
One thing that I am sure of is that if you have both batteries connected in
parallel, the higher charged battery will send current to the lower charged
battery until both are at equilibrium.  So you lose the advantage of having
at least one battery with a higher charge.

Irv Grunes
2001 #851


On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 10:52 AM, Jack McDonough <mcdonough5 at verizon.net>wrote:

> Irv:
>
> I always start the engine on Both (or ALL), to make certain I have enough
> juice to get it  going. Then I switch to either 1 or 2. I don't understand
> what you mean when you say to switch to 1 or 2 after you STOP  the engine.
> Why not switch while it's running? Once it's stopped, what difference does
> it make which battery setting you're on unless you're running refrigeration
> or lights or something else?
>
> I have discussed this battery subject over the years with any number of
> boat owners and yacht yard personnel. I have learned that
> (1) it's OK to run it on All; (2) It's not wise to run it on All; (3) It's
> OK to switch batteries while the engine is running (but, of course, don't
> turn it to Off.); (4) Everything in 1, 2 and 3 is right. (5) Everything in
> 1,2 and 3 is wrong. In other words, ask 10 people and you'll get 10
> different answers.
>
> On a totally different subject, am I the only 320 owner on the planet whose
> boat is on a mooring? Everyone else on this 320 website seems to be at a
> slip.
>
> jack
> #947
>
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> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Irving Grunes" <igrunes at gmail.com>
> To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 6:42 AM
> Subject: [C320-list] Re Batteries & Fridge
>
>
>
>  Brad,
>> No sense FREAKING
>>
>> It is not advisable to ever have the batteries on both because then the
>> higher battery will try to charge toe lower battery with the end result
>> two
>> lower batteries.
>> If you try to start the engine and either of the batteries won't do it
>> independently, then connect to both to get a little more power. Keep them
>> on
>> both until you stop the engine and go back to 1 or 2
>> If you are out and know you will be running the engine for a while, then
>> put
>> the batteries to both so the engine generator will be charging both. As
>> soon
>> as you stop the engine go back to 1 or 2
>>
>> Re the fridge. When in the slip, with the charger on, the charger is
>> connected to each battery independently.so there is no advantage to having
>> them on both. So leave the switch on one or two
>> If you leave the fridge on and for some reason you lose dock power, the
>> charger turns off and the fridge will just knock down the one battery and
>> not both. Thats why you only want one battery on.
>>
>> At our slip on Sue Creek, the dock power is very sensitive to lightening
>> and
>> so we just don't leave the fridge on.  And since the fridge cools off
>> quickly, and  by the time we want a beer, its cold.
>>
>> Hope this helps the question on the battery switch position
>>
>> Irv Grunes
>> 2001 #851
>>
>
>