[C320-list] Electrical problem

[bruceheyman at cox.net]

Mike,
Happy sailing and chock it up to Gremlins!  BTW which harbor are you in, we are in Dana Point.
Bruce
Somerset 671 SoCal
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

-----Original Message-----
From: "Mike Paris" <mparis495 at gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 16:09:15 
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical problem

I went down to the boat today to check the electrical system (75 degrees 
today in So Cal so batteries today and on the water tomorrow!). The water 
level of both batteries was fine. Though there was no obvious corrison, I 
cleaned all connections and terminals. With the batteries disconnected, they 
tested at 13.6 volts. With the charger on, they tested at 14.45 volts. With 
the charger off and the engine running at 2000 rpms, they tested at 14.3 
volts. I was able to start the engine numerous times using each battery. I 
had a load test run on them and they checked out okay. They did say they are 
showing their age and will probably need replacing in about 6 months.

It seems like it may have been something with a connection I suppose. Thanks 
to all for all of the input!

Mike P
#734
So. Cal.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Allan S. Field" <allan.field at verizon.net>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 3:50 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical problem


> Warren - Does the ProMariner reach and maintain float?  I thought that was
> the problem with it - it just kept on cooking and is not a true 3-stage
> charger.  But I could be wrong...  Where is Jeff Hare on this?! - Allan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren 
> Updike
> Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 6:39 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical problem
>
> Mike, according to the experts (not me,) the only way to assess the health
> of a wet cell deep cycle battery is to perform a load test on it.  All
> previous advice is useful.
>
> Water the batteries, clean all connections, and recharge. Monitor the
> charging voltage to be sure the charger is working correctly. When the
> charger enters float stage, disconnect and let the batteries sit for a 
> day.
> After at least 24 hrs. test the voltage again on each battery. If still
> high, they're good.  If dropped by more than a tenth or two of a volt, you
> may have a problem. Have a load test done.
>
> As Karl suggests, you can test each cell with a hygrometer (compensate for
> temp.) to determine if one cell is weaker than others.  I recall that if 
> the
> cell to cell difference is more than .20, the cell is likely weak.
>
> Four years is on the near side of lifetime for deep cell batteries
> constantly charged.  Consider that your charger could be the problem.
>
> If the tops of the plates inside the cells have been left high and dry for
> any length of time, chances are your battery is done and can't be 
> recovered.
>
> Warren & Pattie Updike
> Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bruceheyman at cox.net [mailto:bruceheyman at cox.net]
> Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 9:20 AM
> To: Catalina List
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical problem
>
> Mike,
> Also check the connections and the cables.  Several times I've come across 
> a
> situation where a dodgey cable end or connection would handle the low
> current demands of the fridge and GPS but balk at the couple of hundred 
> amps
> required by the starter motor.
> Bruce
> Somerset 671 SoCal
> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bruceheyman at cox.net
> Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 12:51:37
> To: Catalina List<C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical problem
>
> Mike,
> Check fluid level and add distilled water as required. Charge over night 
> and
> then check each cell with a hydrometer.
> Bruce
> Somerset 671 SoCal
> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Mike Paris" <mparis495 at gmail.com>
> Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2010 18:01:57
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Subject: [C320-list] Electrical problem
>
> Last weekend I went out for a day-sail. I usually put the battery sith on
> "both" but I forgot and left it on "2" for the trip. The engine started
> normally, I motored for about 30 minutes and then sailed for about 2 1/2
> hours. When I went to restart the engine it was dead (no sound when 
> pushing
> the start button). I changed the battery switch to "both" and the the 
> engine
> started right up. The electrical draw during the sail was a fully cooled
> refrigerator, the chartplotter and ST60 gauges. My boat is always plugged 
> in
> to shorepower with charger on when in the slip. I have two wet-cell
> batteries that I believe are about four years old (I've owned the boat for 
> 2
> 1/2 years). I'm not knowledable about electrical systems so I'm looking 
> for
> advice as to steps to take to find possible problems when I head down 
> there
> this weekend.
>
> Thanks to all,
> Mike P
> #734
>