[C320-list] Electrical Problem

[Amshd2]

Joe

I agree Bob, need to know how mech tested your batteries.  A load test is one way to go.

You may also try charging them all the way up with shore power and then disconnect the terminals. Come back in 3-5 days and test them, if they are still charged then you have something draining them in the system.

If they dont hold a charge then I would look at the batteries. 

Tony   



-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Seastream <robert.seastream at comcast.net>
To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Sat, Oct 22, 2011 11:23 am
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical Problem


Did the mechanic 'load test' your batteries or simply check them with  
 voltmeter?  Voltmeters can't show current delivering capacity.  Four  
ear old batteries should be OK, unless they were in a chronic  
undercharged' state.  This can happen if (like me) you're on a  
ooring during the season without access to shore power and must rely  
n the stock alternator to charge the batteries during (usually short)  
otoring periods.  The stock alternator is rated for 55 amps and  
elivers about half that once derating for engine heat is considered.   
 replaced mine with one rated for 125 amps.  It charges my batteries  
rom 25-50% to full charge in ~2 hours; much faster than the 4+ it  
sed to take.  I also have a Honda EU2000i generator should the need  
rise.  We bought our 2002 in November 2005; I replaced the batteries  
n April 2008 to give us a known baseline.
Bob Seastream
ntuition # 906
On Oct 22, 2011, at 9:51 AM, Joseph Aberdale wrote:
> I have a very perplexing, troubling electrical problem that I would  
 very much appreciate your help with.

 My 2002  320 has two 4D banks of Interstate batteries that are 4  
 years old. For the past month I have been experiencing the  
 following.  If I don't start my engine once every 3 days, there is  
 not enough power in the batteries to turn it over to start. I then  
 have to use shore power to start it. Recently, I motored the boat  
 for 2 hours to get to the marina that hauls it out for the winter.  
 Upon arriving, the mechanic checked the batteries and determined  
 that they were fully charged and did not have any dead cells. I  
 turned the battery switch to "off" and had all of the circuit  
 breakers on the panel off as well. The bilge pump is not hard wired  
 to the batteries. I returned 3 days later and found the batteries  
 had some juice but if the engine did not start immediately, there  
 was not enough juice to try to start the engine a second or third  
 time. I then connected the shore power cord and it would not start  
 the engine. Several hours later with the shore power cord still  
 connected, there was enough juice to turn the engine over just twice.

 Could something be drawing down the batteries even though all of the  
 breakers are off?  Are the batteries bad after 4 years because they  
 cannot maintain a full charge for 3 days? Your thoughts and help are  
 appreciated. Thank you.

 Joe Aberdale
 #908