shut off everything or no?

V

Valerio

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Feb 10, 2017
305
Hunter 41 Progreso
When i leave my h41 for at last one week, i shut off everything. even the solar panel. the only thing connected are the bilge pump that are connected directly to the house bank.
Do you shut down the solar panel ? what is best? my solar panel is big 72 cells, i am afraid something can go wrong with the controller and to burn the battery bank. (4 lp 16 trojan).
What do you do?
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,489
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
On one hand, if you have nothing drawing on the batteries such as refrigeration, you don’t need to keep the batteries charging. On the other hand, I can’t understand people who dont shut off everything in your house including the water when they leave it yet worry only about doing so on a boat. Strictly from a risk perspective, the potential $$$ damage in most homes can be far higher.
 
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Likes: Benny17441 and Ward H
sail sfbay

sail sfbay

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Feb 21, 2013
4,638
Hunter 46 Point Richmond, CA
I shutdown all the power consumers, except automatic bilge pump, for 2 reasons: 1) shore power pigtail inadvertently disconnects, which has happened on several occasions, drained the battery and spoils what ever is in the refrigerator, and 2) my marina requires berth renters to turn off ALL on-board consumers.
 
B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,179
CC 30 South Florida
I find keeping the refrigerator On is more necessary that the bilge pump. If your circuits are properly fused and you have insurance what is the issue. Like Don says people don't shut everything off when they leave home and their homes are usually worth 10 times more than their boats. Turning the battery charger Off generally leads to partially charged batteries and sulfation.
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,642
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I think electrically generated fires are the issue for marinas.
On my H356 I left mine on so the refrig could run. Otherwise I would have to empty it after each outing - which would be like going back to ice. The bilge pump was wired direct. Not that I would count on that to keep the boat afloat. But in boating season I was on the boat 3-4 times a week. It's different if you leave the boat for periods of time.
On my Slickcraft, which had a lot of dodgy wiring by that PO guy, I would shut the electric off if I was going to the car.
I did see a Valiant 40 which was burned very badly - totaled - by a fire said to be started by electrical problem. It was in bristol condition. So fire danger is real.
 
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Gary Ballentine

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Feb 8, 2017
11
Hunter 40.5 Browns Point
I leave my power on. The only thing running is a dehumidifier. Although the dehumidifier is turned down, it still keeps the boat dry. Everything else is turned off. I go down to the boat a few days before leaving the slip and turn the refrigeration on. We only live a few miles from the marina. I turn off the DC side, as the bilge pump is wired direct....
 
splax

splax

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Nov 12, 2012
694
Hunter 34 Portsmouth
I don't leave my boat plugged in to avoid electrolytic corrosion. I do leave my solar panel connected to maintain the batteries.
 
D

Don Lucas

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Jan 12, 2011
930
Hunter 410 full time cruiser
I leave most things on, especially the solar as that powers it all.

When you leave your house do you open the electrical disconnect, shut off the main gas valve, and shut off the water?
 
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