[C320-list] Fwd: Re: Top off charge for batteries

[Karl Mielenhausen _/)]

Rick,

OK... that's much more energy and probably will crank OK.
However, it's not a bad idea to use the multistage charger before you  
launch as the alternator never will quite take the batteries to full  
charge.
I'd water them first in any event.
Turn your main AC breaker ON in the rear port quarter lazarette (opposite  
to where the shorepower plug is).
On the electrical panel, turn on the AC breaker and the charger/inverter  
switch ON.
Make sure the water heater is OFF.
Then when they plug you in, the batteries should charge. Battery position  
switch is unimportant as the charger leads are led right to the batteries.

Karl


------- Forwarded message -------
From: "Rick Evans" <ericstillwellevans at gmail.com>
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Cc:
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Top off charge for batteries
Date: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:41:26 -0400

Karl,

On the on board battery volt meter on the electrical panel I mean first
yellow after the green. They are barely out of the green.

As for onboard charger Im always on a mooring so I have no experience with
the onboard charger etc, and have no idea how to use it etc.

If you could give me some instructions that would be great this way I will
have them drop the boat in and plug in at the dock.

Thanks for the info
Rick

On Mon, Jun 1, 2009 at 1:08 PM, Karl Mielenhausen _/)
<c320 at suddenlink.net>wrote:

> Rick,
>
> By "first yellow" do you mean 11.2 - 11.8 vDC? If so, you may have  
> trouble.
> That's pretty well discharged. I sure hope they didn't freeze over the
> winter. Have you checked acid levels?
>
> I would crank for 10 seconds with the 3 decompression levers in the
> "decompressed" position to exercise the engine. Then return to the  
> "normal"
> positions and try to start. Probably want to be on "Both" unless the
> batteries have significantly different charge states.
>
> If you are talking about using a trickle charger, why don't you run a
> 120vAC extension cord to the boat and use the onboard (shorepower)  
> battery
> charger? You should be able to borrow the necessary pigtail connector, if
> you don't have one.
>
> Karl
>
>
>
> On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:42:17 -0400, Rick Evans <
> ericstillwellevans at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>  My boat is not in the water yet probably be in this week. I checked the
>> battery levels yesterday and they are in the first yellow section.
>>
>> Here's my two questions;
>> 1 suppose that's enough to crank the engine and get it started?
>> 2 what is the proper way to top off a charge? Can I simply use a trickle
>> charger like a car battery etc?
>>
>> Thanks
>> Rick
>> A Careful Wish 724
>> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Karl Mielenhausen
> Catalina 320 Hull 690
> New Bern, NC
>
> Join us August 7-9, 2009 at Marina Del Rey, CA for our annual Catalina
> 320IA Regatta and Annual Meeting.
>



-- 
Karl Mielenhausen
Catalina 320 Hull 690
New Bern, NC

Join us August 7-9, 2009 at Marina Del Rey, CA for our annual Catalina  
320IA Regatta and Annual Meeting.