[C320-list] Battery Logic

[John Meyers]

A couple years back I replaced my battery charger that WAS in the port
locker and placed the new one under the chart table. That way I can see the
charger lights and readings. I cut a slot in the fiberglass about 1 inch by
3 inches for the wires that go from the charger to the batteries. It was a
PITA to get the wires pulled from the port locker to where the new charger
in now located.

Related to that subject as where the new charger (ProMariner) is now
located. My plan is to cut a much larger opening there under the chart
table so that I can access the area to the port side of the water heater.
Then put a nice panel over that hole and attach the charger to that panel.
The reason for the opening is to assist in replacing the water heater,
hoses from the engine to the water heater, and water pump. Also to find
some small tools that have fallen behind the hot water tank.

John Meyers
#406 Wind Chime
Muskegon, MI

On Tue, Sep 22, 2015 at 9:29 AM, Dean Vermeire <dean at vermeire.us> wrote:

> Thanks, Bill.  I won't be able to get out there until next weekend.
>
> I'm getting by on the one battery.  I think I will wait until the
> off-season to do some upgrades.  I think a new charger with a remote
> display is in my future.  :)
>
> Dean
>
> On 9/22/2015 8:18 AM, Bill Lowe wrote:
>
>>   Dean, I pretty sure my charger is connected to both batteries. If you
>> would like to take a look/pictures how they are wired you are welcome to
>> come by and poke around. I'll be at the Lake today/tomorrow (9/22) and
>> again Fri/Sat.
>>
>>
>> Bill Lowe
>> Papillon #1146
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Dean Vermeire <dean at vermeire.us>
>> To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>> Sent: Mon, Sep 21, 2015 4:54 pm
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Logic
>>
>>       Hi Jeff,
>>   Thanks for the response.  It hasn't ever made sense to me why both
>> batteries aren't connected to the charger.  I guess someone saved a
>> little money on wiring.
>>   Dean
>>   On 9/21/2015 4:28 PM, Jeff Hare wrote:
>> > Hi Dean,
>> >
>> > There's really no good reason why you would have a multi-bank
>> battery charger
>> with only 1 output connected.  If the second output is still wired from
>> the
>> charger compartment to the battery compartment, I'd hook it up.  EVEN if
>> you put
>> the batteries in parallel (Both position), it's perfectly fine to have to
>> charger legs hooked up to each of the house batteries.  The charger does
>> not
>> care.
>> >
>> > The one positive part of using a Starting battery (vs dual purpose
>> or deep
>> cycle) for engine starting is that you can get away with a smaller
>> starting
>> battery that will be better at starting the engine.  Starting batteries
>> supply
>> more current at a given voltage than dual purpose or deep cycle
>> batteries, so
>> they'll often be able to start the engine when the dual purpose battery
>> won't.
>> Deep cycle/dual purpose batteries are ok to be drawn down but are damaged
>> by
>> high current loads.  Starting batteries are fine with high current loads
>> (like a
>> starter), but don't like to be drawn down low.  So, if your second 4d
>> battery is
>> always used for starting and not always topped back up, it will probably
>> have
>> more plate damage than the one that is used for lights and instruments.
>> >
>> > So... If the wires are there, hook one charger leg up to each 4D
>> battery.
>> This will not cause the batteries to be in parallel and when the charger
>> isn't
>> running, they will remain isolated.
>> >
>> > -Jeff.
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On
>> Behalf Of
>> Dean Vermeire
>> > Sent: Monday, September 21, 2015 2:04 PM
>> > To: Catalina 320 List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>> > Subject: [C320-list] Battery Logic
>> >
>> > As any battery discussion, this one starts with a dead battery.  One
>> of the
>> two batteries has gone bad.  I've tested both and identified the bad one.
>> >
>> > Our boat is a 2001 model (#847), with the original ProMariner
>> Protech 1220i
>> charger and two #4D 12V batteries, neither of which is a deep cycle
>> battery.
>> Only battery #1 is connected to the charger, which means that battery #2
>> only
>> gets charged when the selector switch is on "Both".  This is how the boat
>> was
>> when I bought it.
>> >
>> > We sail on a lake in Kansas, so it is not like I will be out
>> cruising for a
>> week.  I really don't need to have two #4d deep cycle batteries and put
>> in a
>> separate starting battery, change the alternator, etc.
>> > However, I am inclined to replace the dead battery with a deep cycle
>> battery.
>> >
>> > So, here are my questions for you battery-minded people...
>> >
>> > 1.  Why was the boat wired with only one battery connected to the
>> charger, and
>> would it be better with both connected to the charger?
>> > 2.  Can you think of any reason why I couldn't have a deep cycle and
>> a
>> starting battery on the same charger, as long as they are of the same
>> battery
>> type (e.g. lead acid, maintenance free)?
>> >
>> > Thanks in advance,
>> > Dean Vermeire
>> > Moonstruck II (#847)
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>