Boat battery/charging question?
Submitted by spook on Wed, 2012-08-08 20:20
I have a dual battery setup on my boat. Do you have to disconnect the batteries before charging them? I have just been leaving the back of the boat open for heaps of ventilation and switching both batteries to the off position.
I also happened to notice that I was getting a shock from the prop while on charge, I cant understand why. I'm not that clued up on boat electronics so some advice would be gold... thanks
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carnarvonite
Posts: 8673
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Charge
Why are you charging the batteries for?
If they need charging each trip then they shouldn't be there. Once you've started the boat switch to both batteries to bring them up then swap to one when you turn the engine off so that you always have one fully charged as a spare
scottland
Posts: 3039
Date Joined: 10/05/10
if you do charge them
disconect the earth (-)
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spook
Posts: 325
Date Joined: 15/02/10
I just like to make sure they
I just like to make sure they are fully charged carnarvonite. I thought you should trickle charge if they are left for a bit to keep them in good condition,though I do say I "heard" so I'm not sure. wouldn't want to find out they are holding half a charge 30km's out. Do you switch your batteries everytime you turn your engine off? I try but usually forget while changing spots etc
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carnarvonite
Posts: 8673
Date Joined: 24/07/07
One
I've only got the one battery for a 60 Etec and each stop I turn the motor off but always keep the sounder, Gps and both Vhf and 27 meg radios turned on. After 2 years regardless of its condition the battery is replaced with a new one, the next one is nearly due and will be a step up to an N70 from the size thats in it now.
I give the engine a start the day before to make sure because sometimes its a couple of months between trips out.
spook
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Date Joined: 15/02/10
Cheers scottland
Cheers scottland
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kempy
Posts: 810
Date Joined: 28/05/09
Always good to charge up the
Always good to charge up the batterys to keep them in the best state and there is no need to disconnect the batterys.
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fishy fingers
Posts: 1719
Date Joined: 28/04/07
1 at a time
most charging systems on outboards are not capable of charging 2 batteries at the same time so dont try
switch from one to the other or better still install a bep VSR to charge them automaticaly so you dont need to
remember to switch.
spook
Posts: 325
Date Joined: 15/02/10
Yeah might look into one of
Yeah might look into one of the VSR's, i do have 2 battery chargers and charge them both seperately though
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sea-kem
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Date Joined: 30/11/09
I run out on one and switch
I run out on one and switch to the other on the way back. Never have a charge problem been doing that for four years on the same batteries. but will give them a top up before the summer season or trips up north.
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joycey
Posts: 251
Date Joined: 28/05/11
My mechanic advised you
My mechanic advised you shouldn't run both batteries at once as charges each battery inefficiently.
I run the engine on the drive every 2-3 weeks if boat not been used, this generally keeps the charge up.
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Shouldnt be lickin the prop
Shouldnt be lickin the prop spook! Getn any more pinkies lately? Can leave leads connected to charge batteries, isolating them as you do is fine for charging. Can use one as your primary start battery and the other as the one to drain if you sit for a while, switching to both when the engine is running will charge both. Wierd that u geta boot from the prop tho?????
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Gotcha (not verified)
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 01/01/70
Check your RCD protection..
If you get a shock from your prop, the battery charger, extension lead, or the plugpoint you have used is not connected to the RCD protection in the house distribution board, or one of the three do not have an earth wire... - some older houses do not have RCD's so just open the board and check - It is a good idea to install them if you have kids or charge your batteries and the floor/grass gets wet.... you could be in for a shocking experience...
Get a sparky in to just test the points and have it fixed, or chuck the charger away if it has no earth, or just stop licking the prop...
The shock is normally just the first warning of a problem about to happen mate...
I saw a callback from Bunnings on certain moulded extension leads that had the neutral and earth wire mixed up in the moulded plug - that would do it too... change the lead out and lick the prop again to check if it is the lead?
Cheers...
spook
Posts: 325
Date Joined: 15/02/10
Haha, so now I'm a friggin
Haha, so now I'm a friggin prop licker! Ha. Cheers guys, ill check the RCD's I reckon your right on. l have got a couple more pinks timo, hopefully some more this weekend if the weather holds.
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