[C320-list] Various Battery Cable Functions

[John Meyers]

Can you imagine the list to port if the batteries were on the port side?

John Meyers

On Tue, Jun 14, 2016 at 9:47 PM, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:

> Whaaa? Our hull is certainly one of the older ones. Our batteries are on
> the stbd side. I found the wiring diagram in the user's manual was accurate.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeff Hare [mailto:Catalina at thehares.com]
> Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2016 7:55 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Various Battery Cable Functions
>
> Dave,
>
> Q: There are three negative cables and two positive cables to each
> battery. What is the purpose of the each of these cables?
>
> This is typically how they are wired for MK1 hull models with the Yanmar
> 3gm engine.
> For older hulls where the batteries are on the port side, this doesn't
> necessarily apply, (Ask Warren for that info.)
>
> The Black Negative Cables.
> 1 - Fat Black jumper cable that just connects between the negative
> terminals
>      of the 2 4D batteries.  Provides common ground.
> 1 - Fat Black cable from the Aft 4D battery goes to the Engine Starter
> Ground.
> 1 - ~4awg cable from the forward Negative battery to the Windlass Ground.
> 1 - ~4awg cable from the aft 4D goes to the DC side of the Electrical
> panel.
> 1 - ~4awg cable from (one of the batteries) goes to the Shore Power
> charger.
>
> The Red Positive Cables.
> 1 - Fat Red cable from Each 4D goes to the 1-2-Both switch.  From this
> switch,
>      one Fat red goes to the starter, and a ~4awg goes to the house
> electrical panel.
> 1 - ~4awg Red cable from each 4D is fused and goes to the shore power
> charger.
>       On our boat, these wires were encased in black flex tube.
> 1 - ~4awg Red cable from the forward 4D goes to the Windlass on/off
> breaker.
> 1 - 12awg wire should go directly to the bilge pump switch on the panel.
>       Bilge pump power should always bypass the house power on/off switch.
>
> That should get you going...
> -Jeff
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On
> Behalf Of Dave and Ev
> Sent: Wednesday, June 8, 2016 10:53 PM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Various Battery Cable Functions
>
> I have a 1999 model #628. I just installed two brand new SRM-4D, which
> were replacing ones that were at least four seasons old. The old ones were
> functional but one battery had a bad cell. I have original factory wiring.
> There are three negative cables and two positive cables to each battery.
> What is the purpose of the each of these cables? I believe one of the two
> larger black cables connects the two battery negatives together and the
> other black goes to the ground bus, but I don't know the function of the
> smallest cables. While I had no problems at all for the last three seasons
> other than the bad cell, after the forward battery cabling was completely
> connected, I noticed that when I connect the thinner black cable to the
> battery post on the aft battery it appeared that current was flowing (saw
> an small arc.) The main battery 1-2-both switch was in the full off
> position. While I had no issues with the batteries prior, I never saw this
> when I connected these cables at the start of the season. What is the
> smaller cables function and should there be anything happening when that
> smaller cable is connected to the negative battery terminal as it did. I
> looked a the Catalina manual and electrical diagram and never found a good
> detail of the original factory wiring for the two batteries. I hesitated to
> leave that thinner negative cable connected to the negative terminal until
> I have figured this out.
> I am on a mooring with no shore power connected. I charge with the
> original alternator on the Yanmar 3GM30F which puts out 13.9 volts at the
> batteries while charging. No new battery charging equipment added by either
> me or prior owner. All factory original equipment.  Any comments or
> thoughts?
> Dave Cushman
> It TIps #628
>
>
>
>