[C320-list] Electrical Problem

[Barbara Uhlman]

On a similar vein, if you need a 12 volt coffee pot or whatever, go to a truck 
stop and buy a black one much cheaper than a white marine one from WM!
Barb
Whisper, #1158




________________________________
From: Joseph Aberdale <summerwind3 at comcast.net>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Sent: Fri, October 28, 2011 7:44:46 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Electrical Problem

My thanks to all for your helpful comments.

The battery, battery switch connections and starter connections were fine.  A 
battery load test showed that the batteries were fully charged. Still, the 
engine would only weakly turn over, not enough to start it.  I removed the 
starter and had it bench tested.  It was drawing 180 amps.  Taking it apart 
revealed that one of the three brushes was completely destroyed and a second 
brush was almost destroyed. I checked with my Yanmar dealer and learned that a 
new Hitachi starter [original equipment] would cost me $359.  The auto electric 
mechanic who tested my starter sold me the exact same starter for $150 and 
commented that the difference in price was due to the "marine" label put on it 
by the Yanmar dealer. A lesson learned.

Joe Aberdale
#908

On Oct 22, 2011, at 11:23 AM, Robert Seastream wrote:

> Did the mechanic 'load test' your batteries or simply check them with a 
>voltmeter?  Voltmeters can't show current delivering capacity.  Four year old 
>batteries should be OK, unless they were in a chronic 'undercharged' state.  
>This can happen if (like me) you're on a mooring during the season without 
>access to shore power and must rely on the stock alternator to charge the 
>batteries during (usually short) motoring periods.  The stock alternator is 
>rated for 55 amps and delivers about half that once derating for engine heat is 
>considered.  I replaced mine with one rated for 125 amps.  It charges my 
>batteries from 25-50% to full charge in ~2 hours; much faster than the 4+ it 
>used to take.  I also have a Honda EU2000i generator should the need arise.  We 
>bought our 2002 in November 2005; I replaced the batteries in April 2008 to give 
>us a known baseline.
> 
> Bob Seastream
> Intuition # 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
>