[C320-list] Various Battery Cable Functions

[Jeff Hare]

I don't know for a fact, that's why I qualified it meaning that my list of connections only applied when batteries were on stbd side from the factory. 

I thought someone somewhere with a really low hull number said they had their batteries on the port side.  Found that surprising. I know the battery switch is on the stbd side for many older hulls.  It could have been a comment when I was talking with the guy who had hull #1 in Newport at one point.  I have CRS, so who knows what I really heard.  :)

-Jeff 

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of John Meyers
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2016 9:52 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Various Battery Cable Functions

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
>
>
>
>