[C320-list] Re Batteries & Fridge

[Jack McDonough]

Scott:

I'm no help on the subject of solar. Sorry. Running the engine periodically 
on 1 or 2 is the best I can do to keep the batteries healthy.

jack




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Thompson" <surprise at thompson87.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 08, 2009 9:14 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Re Batteries & Fridge


> Hi Jack:  I'm catching up on old emails after some vacation.  I'm on a 
> mooring.  The challenge is keeping the batteries topped off without shore 
> power, plus the love/hate relationship with the dinghy.  I would really 
> like to find a good option for keeping the batteries topped off using 
> solar -- something for my winter "to do" list.
>
> WHO HAS INSTALLED SOLAR PANELS ON A 320???  I would like details.
>
> Scott Thompson
> Surprise, 653
>
> Jack McDonough 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
>>
>
> -- 
> Scott Thompson
> Surprise, #653