[C320-list] Electrical problem

[Warren Updike]

Mike, I replaced with Interstate 3 years ago and am very happy. I would have
preferred the AGMs but the price didn't work for me. AGMs are, yes, lo/no
maintenance; but, the charge rate and number of charge cycles are better
meaning they will last longer.

I found that Interstate had at least 2 different 4D batteries. The one I
bought is the "SRM-4D Marine/RV - 30 months, 1314 cold cranking amps.
Larger plates, more capacity the commercial model.  I bought them through my
marina store for about $170. At the time the SRP was $178.

I called the techs at Interstate. They were very helpful. They told me that
the capacity was 195AH.  They also gave the the Pukart (sp?) value to use
with my battery monitor.

BTW, most battery mfgrs don't quote AH ratings on their batteries. An
estimate can be made by multiplying the Reserve Capacity (RC) by 0.6.

If I don't hit the lottery in the meantime, I'll likely purchase them again.

FYI, Nigel Calder (I think it was,) did a study of the cost per AH of marine
power.  Exotic systems aside, he concluded that the least cost is with wet
cells, shore charger, and a gas generator.  Convenience was not a criteria
for this study, just cost.

Warren & Pattie Updike
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay

-----Original Message-----
From: Martin Raphael [mailto:Rhapsody108 at q.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 9:43 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical problem

I have had really good luck with Interstate batteries, and their prices are
much better than WM.  Check them out and see what you think.  They are the
right size (assuming you have been using 2 4Ds).  An interment search is a
good idea too, as you may find some cheaper sources...but do check the
dimensions to avoid problems with fit in the boxes.
Martin Raphael
Rhapsody #108 (for 1 more day...just sold the boat!)
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mike Paris<mailto:mparis495 at gmail.com> 
  To: C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com> 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 5:48 PM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical problem


  I'm going to buy new batteries. Are there any potential problems with me 
  just replacing the batteries? Mainly, could I damage the new ones if there

  is some unknown problem at the source of my electrical troubles.

  Secondly, wet cell or AGM? The West Marine price for a wet cell is $292
and 
  an AGM is $539. Is the AGM that much better?

  Finally, should I replace the ProMariner with the Xantrex 20 just on 
  principle? It doesn't seem to be giving me problems but many have strong 
  feelings against the ProMariner.

  Thanks,
  Mike
  #734


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Jeff Hare" <catalina at thehares.com<mailto:catalina at thehares.com>>
  To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com>>
  Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 5:24 AM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical problem


  > 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<mailto:allan.field at verizon.net>>
  > Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:30:20
  > To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto: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.catal
ina320.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<mailto: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<mailto: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.catal
ina320.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
  >
  >
  >
  >