[C320-list] Electrical problem

[Jeanne DeLaCruz]

Shoreline or Alamitos Bay?

#846 - Shoreline
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mike Paris<mailto:mparis495 at gmail.com> 
  To: C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com> 
  Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 9:55 AM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical problem


  Bruce,
  I'm in Long Beach.

  Mike
  #734


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: <bruceheyman at cox.net<mailto:bruceheyman at cox.net>>
  To: "Catalina List" <C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto: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<mailto:mparis495 at gmail.com>>
  > Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 16:09:15
  > To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto: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<mailto:allan.field at verizon.net>>
  > To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto: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>
  >> [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<mailto: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> [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<mailto:bruceheyman at cox.net>
  >> Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 12:51:37
  >> To: Catalina List<C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto: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<mailto:mparis495 at gmail.com>>
  >> Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2010 18:01:57
  >> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto: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
  >>
  >
  >