Battery Issues - Ideas ?

[bobgelb@gmail.com]

Two weeks ago, my engine would not start...I checked the level of fluid,in the batteries, and added about 2-3 quarts of water, and waited, then all was well. Rarely do I need water so I was surprised. Today, same thing, I went to boat and engine starter would not turn over, again checked my batteries and the seat was hot above the batteries, opened the battery hatch, it was warm....two of the cells were particularly hot. I added about a quart of water and all is well. Someone said that since I leave the Alternating current on, and the switch labeled battery charger on..that the "battery charger" is supposed to keep the battery trickled, and on topped, and obviously my "battery charger" is sending too much current to the batteries and they are overheating. I do not even know where the battery charger is in the boat, maybe in the stern end? Does this sound correct, and that the cure is a new battery charger? I hope I have not ruined the batteries...what should I do?
Thanks for any suggestions
Bob

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

It could be either a faulty charger or a bad cell/cells in one or more batteries which fool the charger into overcharging them.
In either case, it sounds like your battery/ies are toast and need to be replaced and perhaps the charger as well.

Before doing anything else, measure the charger output current at the battery terminals (which hopefully are clean) when they are fully charged as well as when undergoing bulk charge. Also, measure the static charge (voltage level) and test each cell with a hydrometer when fully charged. Finally, measure voltage at the terminals under load.

If you don't know how to do the above or have the equipment to do these measurements, it's a wild guess where the problem(s) are.

It could be as simple as a poorly maintained connection which caused your problem which often leads to expensive and avoidable replacements -an expensive lesson you only want to learn once.

 

[Tom J]

Your battery charger should be under the corner seat, port side in the cockpit.

 

[rpwillia]

Don is spot on

Make sure your batteries are filled, charge them up and use a hygrometer to check all the cells. You can find a hygrometer at Wal Mart of any auto store in the automotive section. You just suck up a little battery fluid and it tells you if the cells are charged up.

You should also check the brand of charger to see if there is any information about them, there may be some issues.

Don's advice was spot on. You probably have one or both batteries bad at this point, but the charger could be causing the problem. Best to decide which. Tom J was correct as you will find the charger mounted in the port corner cockpit locker mounted on the bulkhead.

 

[bobgelb@gmail.com]

Re: Don is spot on

Guys, thank you, will be down on boat today and see where I stand...first stop to check battery levels, get hydrometer, and check on location of battery charger. Maybe first step is test the battery charger.....will keep you informed.
Bob..

 

[bobgelb@gmail.com]

So, I got a hydrometer and one bank of batteries (still warm) mostly failed on specific gravity levels...the 2nd bank also failed or was fair...SO, need two new deep batteries...The boat yard thinks the orgional Charles Marine Battery Charger (20 amp) failed and kept 'feeding the batteries'....it was a model 93-12205E....the batteries were 3-4 yrs old and even if they didn't fail, their useful life was minimal, maybe another year....SO two new batteries 4D @ about $300 each, a nerw Mastercraft Battery Charger 20 amp @ about $300 and then 4 hrs of labor..bill should be around $1200 give or take....should be installed in next few days...
Thanks for all the suggestions and help
Bob

 

[Long Story]

Stealing the thread - did I happen to get lucky or what. In my original manuals and on my boat is the Professional Mariner 20 AMP 3 bank charger. It has seemed to work just fine. I was surprised to see that it was a three bank, and I had a set of outputs I was not even taking advantage of.

Anyone else seeing this as OEM on the early C-310 (mine is 2001)

 

[rpwillia]

Battery Prices????

So, I got a hydrometer and one bank of batteries (still warm) mostly failed on specific gravity levels...the 2nd bank also failed or was fair...SO, need two new deep batteries...The boat yard thinks the orgional Charles Marine Battery Charger (20 amp) failed and kept 'feeding the batteries'....it was a model 93-12205E....the batteries were 3-4 yrs old and even if they didn't fail, their useful life was minimal, maybe another year....SO two new batteries 4D @ about $300 each, a nerw Mastercraft Battery Charger 20 amp @ about $300 and then 4 hrs of labor..bill should be around $1200 give or take....should be installed in next few days...
Thanks for all the suggestions and help
Bob

Whoa! $300 for a 4D battery sounds like a lot. I replaced mine (Interstate) about 2 years ago and they were about $140 each.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Bob,

Older Charles chargers are very, very questionable. Your best bet is to get a newer Sterling Ultra pro or ProMariner per Maine Sail's tutorial. No need to ruin new batteries.

4D batteries are NOT true deep cycle batteries, as also reported by Maine Sail. Do your back and your pocketbook a favor and get 2 6V batteries or four or just go with deep cycle Group 31s which can do 130 ah each.

Your boat, your back, your choice.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Stealing the thread - did I happen to get lucky or what. In my original manuals and on my boat is the Professional Mariner 20 AMP 3 bank charger. It has seemed to work just fine. I was surprised to see that it was a three bank, and I had a set of outputs I was not even taking advantage of.

Anyone else seeing this as OEM on the early C-310 (mine is 2001)

Either your PO's dealer or the PO did it. Catalina and their dealers did NOT and still do not use quality chargers.

Be careful with that "extra" output, you may not need it if you have two banks. You do NOT charge individual batteries in a BANK separately.

Read Maine Sail's tutorial on installing a battery charger, he covers this quite clearly.

 

[Long Story]

Either your PO's dealer or the PO did it. Catalina and their dealers did NOT and still do not use quality chargers.

Be careful with that "extra" output, you may not need it if you have two banks. You do NOT charge individual batteries in a BANK separately.

Read Maine Sail's tutorial on installing a battery charger, he covers this quite clearly.

I understand and thank you for the reminder. Right now each battery is a "bank" and I had planned to add a starter battery so I could charge it also. Thing is I would then make the existing set (plan to replace see below) the house bank and still only need two outputs on the charger. Is nice as each output can be set for battery type with this charger. I just wish it was an inverter / charger but at least it is a a good charger.

On the battery change, as was said above - save the back. I plan to replace the 4D units with two deep cycle group 31 units for the same amp capacity as a 4D. Here is the interesting part. If you turn the group 31 battery 90 degrees from how the 4D is installed, you have room in the existing pan for both Group 31 units and a Group 24 or 27 starter battery. Also all three weigh less than the two 4D's. Now that being said I wonder if that will make the C310 tilt to starboard even worst than it is now....