[C320-list] Battery Logic

[Tharrison]

John just a thought. I like the idea of having an access door under the chart table. It would mean easy access to the water heater. 

I am not sure if I would put the charger next to a water source like the hot water tank. Or the sink drain pipes and all the connections. 

I think I saw a picture on the web site of a door. Perhaps it was Jeff's. 

Ted hull 424 
Whitby Ontario 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 22, 2015, at 9:44 AM, John Meyers <jcmeyers7 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 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)
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>