[C320-list] Re Batteries & Fridge

[Jack McDonough]

Irv:

Yes, I'm sure you're right about all that. The first time we used shore 
power, I had to enlist the expertise of our daughter, the engineer, to read 
the wiring schematic and advise me what to do. So you see where I'm coming 
from.


jack
2003  #947




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Irving Grunes" <igrunes at gmail.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 8:03 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Re Batteries & Fridge


> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- 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
>>>
>>
>>