[C320-list] Electrical problem

[Jeff Hare]

Mike, 

A couple notes.  When you disconnect the batteries to measure them you be sure to wait an hour of so to get their true voltage.  The 13.6v was likely still showing the effects of just being on the charger.   More likely, the voltage should be 12.5 or so after standing for a while.  

I'm not suspecting the charger here as much as just old batteries.  They show the classic signs of dying batteries.  They charge fine but have no CAPACITY.  

-Jeff 


-----Original Message-----
From: "Allan S. Field" <allan.field at verizon.net>
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:30:20 
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical problem

Warren - it is Mike that I am thinking still has the stock ProMariner.  If
so, that probably is the culprit for his problems. - 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: Sunday, January 10, 2010 5:19 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical problem

Allan, I don't have a ProMariner. Mine is a 50A LewMar that was on the boat
when I bought it.  According to the manual, it will float the batteries at
14.1V, although I don't leave it on when there is no DC load. The charger
relay for the starting battery kicks in at 13.7V.  Apparently, a constant
voltage around 14V will not hurt the batteries.  The previous set of
batteries lasted 7 years so I expect my charger works OK. ---Warren

-----Original Message-----
From: Allan S. Field [mailto:allan.field at verizon.net] 
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 6:50 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
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