[bobrob]

Or just when you are running your stereo or TV at the dock?

To me I would think it wouldn't be good to have a constant charge going on battery's all the time while your not on the boat. So I turn mine off when I leave but I don't have a fridge or anything either to worry about. Just curious what other people do when they leave there boats for a few days.

 

[PyrateJim]

I leave mine on. I have a pretty much full fridge, not to mention I dont like taking the chance and leving the bildges to work on battery power alone just in case something goes wrong.
I watch my shore power draw guage and unless something is running, ie.. fridge or tv or ac (which isnt working right now and I am looking for help on - hint hint hint) I see no draw on the meter.

 

[beachbum]

I leave mine on all the time also but it's suppose to shut off when it detects that the batteries are fully charged. It's nice to know I'm comming out to fully charged batteries.

Jim, I'm going out to gas up the boat this afternoon for the fireworks I'll grab my manual on my AC to see if it might have anything in there to help you out.

 

[PyrateJim]

QUOTE(beachbum @ Jun 22 2004, 07:55 AM)Jim, I'm going out to gas up the boat this afternoon for the fireworks I'll grab my manual on my AC to see if it might have anything in there to help you out.
I would greatly appreciate it. We'll be anchoring near the LSCN raft but most likely wont be part of the raft. We'll be scanning through 69 as well as a few other channels. Perhaps we can hook up once everyone is in place or someone has a dingy we can use. If not, perhaps we can hook up during the week or weekend on dry land and see.

I am getting the numbers and such of the contraption wednesday and am gong to see what I can find on the interent as well.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[JD]

A floating charger will stop charging battery when your fully charged, I added one to my sailboat I once had so I could have a full charge for a newly installed cd player, and some awesome speakers. That battery wasnt used for much, running lights, anchor light, mast lights,marine radio and a bildge pump. Floating chargers are more expensive and are more for a permanent instalation into your wiring but thats when I use to keep that boat at Jefferson Beach and could'nt run down there everyday just to unplug a charger.
A normal portable charger (trickel charger) with like a 3amp and 6 amp setting does not stop charging and will boil your battery, not good. Plus most boaters like to install the right stuff for our favorite toys.Invertors just bump up your 12 or 24 volt sytem for your 120v outlets.

 

[Karl 67]

I've got a hardmounted charger that is supposed to shut down when the batts are full. It seems to be cooking my batteries though. Can this be tested? Do I have to pull it out of the boat to test?

 

[JD]

Karl 67

Just paged a power shop guy for ya. He said you should have 2.21 volts per cell times six for a 6 cell 12 volt battery. You should be at 13.26 volts, or if its higher you can have a thermal over run. Your going to need a digital meter like a fluke meter to check your voltage. If battery has been discharged (normal conditions)your amp gauge on charger if you have one should show a 4 to 5 amp draw. Otherwise you should be at a trikle charge of a 1/2 amp (his words) I feel the charger should almost back off completely once charged.

 

[ThreeCrabs]

Be sure and check the water cells (if your batteries have them) running the chargers boils the water out. We use distilled water if they are low.

 

[ThreeCrabs]

Might I add that we had batteries that we weren't supposed to add water to...well, they needed water.

 

[Karl 67]

Thanks for the feed back,
I knew how to test the Batteries, It's the charger in the boat (no gage) that I want to test. It does not seem to shut off once the batts are full.

Can this be tested in the boat or do I have to pull it?

 

[JD]

GET THE MAKE AND MODEL, AND CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER.

 

[bestlight48312]

I have same problem .Two new battries ,will not not hold charge ?Thinking charger .....How can I check out charger ?How many years do you get out of them ? 4 seasons don't seem right ?Guest charger 2 bank ?Let me know if same charger..

 

[ThreeCrabs]

Short cycle...long cycle...You get what you pay for. Different batteries for different applications. 3 years and you are lucky w/marine battery. Volt meter will help.

Need 3crabs to chime in on this one....i'll have to send him this thread.