[C320-list] Electrical problem

[Mike Paris]

Bruce,
I'm in Long Beach.

Mike
#734


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <bruceheyman at cox.net>
To: "Catalina List" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 4:35 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical problem


> 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
>>
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