[C38] Fwd: Battery Power

Thu Feb 18 10:14:50 EST 2010

I'm also using the blue Seas switch. It works great. I had also problems
with the starter batter (position 1 on the old switch), sometimes it didn't
rev the engine, and whe I replaced the switch, the starting battery problem
was gone. It turned out that this position was not making good contact
inside the switch.
Because I have different battery technologies, instead ofthe blue seas
automatic charging relay(which gives full charge) I used a Xantrex echoe
Charge which gives me 15 amps of charging. The Balmar duo charge was another
option with 30 amps of charge, but   $100 more expensive. I connected the
alternator directly to the battery switch, so when I turn of the switch, no
current will be on the alt.

This system is not expensive and is worth it.

Hope this helps,
Max

2010/2/18 Charles Finn <charles at finn.ws>

> Steve,
> I have two batteries in my port battery box.  One is a "standard" sized
> deep cell and the other is slightly larger.  Yes, I know I said it is good
> to pair your batteries, but one of mine had a cell failure way up in the
> remote areas of Lake Huron and I had to take what I could get.  The new
> battery is a type 27, which required I cut out the lower corner of the
> battery box (not structural).  As I recall, it is a 130 amp hour battery
> (amp hours is a common term used in the discussion of batteries, but it is
> really only an poor estimate of capacity). Each battery has its own isolator
> of course located close to port of the batteries. I also have a "A or B or
> Both" battery switch for the wind charger and solar collectors mounted just
> on the settee wall just forward of the battery box.  The wind charger has
> its own regulator and I have an additional smart regulator/switch for the
> 195 watts of solar panels.  Finally, I have a 2000 watt inverter mounted
> under the galley sink drawer.  I chose that location to reduce voltage drop,
> which can be a problem with the heavy load this inverter can develop. That
> is also why I mounted the wind charger/solar panel switch as close as I
> could to the battery bank.  While I really like what you have done with Blue
> Seas, with central controls all in one place, every foot of heavy cable and
> every switch creates resistance (the math on this is revealing), so I went
> with two control locations.
> By the way, it is interesting that we insist on "marine grade" wiring, but
> when you take apart one of these battery switches we find pure copper on the
> better ones and alloys on others!  This a real problem as these switches
> work under load with "arcing" being a problem (another resistance issue).  I
> try to reduce this issue by first turning off heavy loads before switching
> banks.  This is especially important on the charging circuit side...
>
> Sorry for the long answer to your short question!  As you can see, I am a
> bit over the top about this!  I do all my own maintenance and upgrading,
> figuring it is better to know these systems when they break down in the most
> remote locations at the worst possible time!
>
> Chuck
> Mighty Quinn #114
> Great Lakes
>
>
> Steve Smolinske wrote:
>
>> Bob,
>>  Like Charles I also isolated the start from the house bank, I used the
>> Blue Sea Systems Dual plus circuit switch,
>> http://bluesea.com/category/1/products/6011  Instead of 1, 2 and combine
>> it only has on and combine settings.  In the on mode the house and start are
>> both operable and isolated from each other so no need to worry which battery
>> switch setting is  house and which is start, just turn it on and forget
>> about it.  The combine gives you the ability to combine both banks in an
>> emergency.   I also have a third bank (33 amps) which is my emergency bank
>> it is wired only to the  tricolor, strobe and VHF/GPS/AIS.  It is also
>>  isolated from the other batteries by its own single bank battery switch, in
>> its configuration the DC subpanel and main battery switch have to be turned
>> off before using or else it would equalize with the other batteries when the
>> switch is turned on.  Its located under the quarter berth just forward of
>> the fuel tank, with the switch mounted just above it.      Charles, where do
>> you have your second house bank located?  Im assuming your first is in the
>> battery box under the port sette.   Steve
>> Peregrine #312
>> Seattle
>>
>> ________________________________
>>
>> From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org on behalf of Robert Miller
>> Sent: Wed 2/17/2010 3:54 PM
>> To: 'Catalina 38 Listserve'
>> Subject: Re: [C38] Fwd: Battery Power
>>
>>
>>
>> I just ordered a copy of Calder's book.  Thanks, Chuck.
>>
>> Bob Miller
>> "Bolero" #113
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
>> [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of Charles Finn
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 3:39 PM
>> To: Catalina 38 Listserve
>> Subject: Re: [C38] Fwd: Battery Power
>>
>> Mike,
>> If you are reading 10.7... time to get a new battery! Theoretically,
>> each cell can provide 2.1 volts, which adds up to a max reading of (6
>> cells x 2.1)= 12.6 volts. You might be a bit concerned if you have been
>> using the "ALL" setting on your battery switch as battery voltage
>> differentials will harm you good battery. This is why many folks
>> advocate buying your batteries together.
>>
>> The best way to figure out which battery is the engine starter is to
>> look for the heavy wire going to your starter. Begin at the battery or
>> the starter and trace back. My guess is the smaller battery is your
>> starting battery as 10.7 volts probably wouldn't turn your engine over
>> as that is not the load voltage!
>>
>> I personally like to completely isolate my starter battery from the
>> house bank. I have installed a third battery for starting the boat in
>> what was the shower sump, which is right on top of the keel. A good size
>> battery fits snugly in the box and is easily strapped in. This way, I
>> can use both house batteries without worrying that I have drained too
>> much power to start the engine. I even carry a set of jumper cables in
>> case the starter battery dies and I have to jump from the house bank.
>>
>> I highly recommend a book: Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual,
>> by Nigel Calder. I think he is the best at explaining complicated issues
>> in common "sense" terms. Sometimes, I have to read it a couple of times,
>> but eventually it makes sense even to me! It is always on the boat and I
>> refer to it often.
>>
>> Chuck Finn
>> Mighty Quinn #114
>>
>>
>> Robert Miller wrote:
>>
>>
>>> If one of your batteries shows 10.70 volts with a voltmeter, it is
>>> gone. Put a load on that battery and it will drop lower. Don't know
>>> how you are set up but it looks like you can use either battery or
>>> both to start the engine. I have four AGMs in my 38 with two 1/2/Both
>>> switches. Once I am underway under sail, I set one switch to Both and
>>> the other to 1 leaving one battery isolated to start the engine. That
>>> leaves 3 house batteries and one in reserve to restart the engine.
>>>
>>> Bob
>>>
>>> "Bolero" #113 at Southwestern YC in San Diego
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> *From:* listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
>>> [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] *On Behalf Of *therorl at aol.com
>>> *Sent:* Wednesday, February 17, 2010 2:40 PM
>>> *To:* listserve at catalina38.org
>>> *Subject:* [C38] Fwd: Battery Power
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Charles <chas at finn.ws>
>>> To: therorl at aol.com
>>> Sent: Wed, Feb 17, 2010 2:04 pm
>>> Subject: Re: Battery Power
>>>
>>> therorl at aol.com <mailto:therorl at aol.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> I've had trouble lately with my battery not having a full charge when
>>>> I go to start the engine. I've turned off all the shore power,
>>>>
>>>>
>>> checked > both battery's with a volt meter and the larger off the two
>>> battery's > reads 10.70 volts. Is this enough juice or do I need a new
>>> battery. I > was told at one time that a deep cell battery should read
>>> at 12.5 volts.
>>>
>>>
>>>> Also, I can't distinguish the house battery from the engine battery.
>>>> To me it would stand to to reason that the larger of the two
>>>>
>>>>
>>> battery's > would be the house battery and the smaller for the engine.
>>> But, if I > disconnect the shore power and switch to the number 1
>>> battery my cabin > lights will come on. The same thing happens if I
>>> switch to the number > 2 battery. Can someone help me out!!!!!
>>>
>>>
>>>> Mike
>>>> Catalina 38 #271
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Mike,
>>> I think somehow you are sending to the wrong email address as it came
>>> to my personal account. The correct one is: listserve at catalina38.org
>>> <mailto:listserve at catalina38.org>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
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>>>
>>
>>
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>
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-- 
Max Soto
C38 #198 ESTANCIA
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
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