How timely. Got to the boat Friday night. Only thing I leave running is refrigerator. Plugged into shore power and I typically leave my battery charger to charge both. I have brand new AGM batteries (2 as a house, 1 as a starter). Well, fridge is kinda warm and the battery charger switch is off on the panel. Reset - no. In the light of morning, I open up engine compartment and spot the problem right away - a battery cable had somehow fallen over the engine and a spot had been burned into the cable. Thank goodness for circuit breakers! My question is...when leaving the boat for the week and while plugged into shore power, should I switch the battery to "off" so that anything is just being run from shore power? Guess I need to buy Nigel Calders book,huh?
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Never turn them off.
Debbie: We never turn off our battery charger for the exact reason you are explaining. We leave items on-board from week to week. It makes the reason for a refrigeration unit somewhat useless if you need to cool it down for each time you come aboard. I suggest that you get your wiring secured and cleaned up to prevent this type of thing happening in the future and then you can continue to use your boat as you have in the past.
Debbie: We never turn off our battery charger for the exact reason you are explaining. We leave items on-board from week to week. It makes the reason for a refrigeration unit somewhat useless if you need to cool it down for each time you come aboard. I suggest that you get your wiring secured and cleaned up to prevent this type of thing happening in the future and then you can continue to use your boat as you have in the past.
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Debbie
Good advice
Thanks! That's what I was hoping I had to do. After the mechanic is done replacing the cable, I'll give it a once over myself. I also will plan on checking the engine compartment after the sail as well as before!
Thanks! That's what I was hoping I had to do. After the mechanic is done replacing the cable, I'll give it a once over myself. I also will plan on checking the engine compartment after the sail as well as before!
I agree with Steve
Hi Debbie - Everyone has their own opinions on things, but I'm inclined to leave the charger and refrigerator on when away from the boat. That being said, take the time to examine your battery terminals and wiring at the panel frequently to make sure all is clean and secure. Best, Trevor
Hi Debbie - Everyone has their own opinions on things, but I'm inclined to leave the charger and refrigerator on when away from the boat. That being said, take the time to examine your battery terminals and wiring at the panel frequently to make sure all is clean and secure. Best, Trevor
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Andy
But what if...power goes out
If you leave the charger on and the frig running and the dock breaker pops..nobody resets it until Friday night..don't you end up with either a) cold beer and almost dead battery bank (and slightly chilled steaks) b) warm beer and a really dead battery bank (along with rotten food-yuck) c) luke warm beer, questionable batteries, and food that you're really not so sure about.
If you leave the charger on and the frig running and the dock breaker pops..nobody resets it until Friday night..don't you end up with either a) cold beer and almost dead battery bank (and slightly chilled steaks) b) warm beer and a really dead battery bank (along with rotten food-yuck) c) luke warm beer, questionable batteries, and food that you're really not so sure about.
..and how often does the power go out?
Andy: Just because we have a power outage (not very often), does not mean that the charger breaker is going to trip. If it goes out for a few hours or even a day, I will still have plenty of 12vdc to keep the reefer running. Once the power comes on again, the batteries will recharge (also assuming the the breaker is NOT tripped).
Andy: Just because we have a power outage (not very often), does not mean that the charger breaker is going to trip. If it goes out for a few hours or even a day, I will still have plenty of 12vdc to keep the reefer running. Once the power comes on again, the batteries will recharge (also assuming the the breaker is NOT tripped).
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Andy
Ca Steve-you got the power
Steve, our current dock is "under amped" and the breaker trips regularly. Rumor has it that more amps and better wiring are on the way. Until then, I'll assume that there is not dock power unless I'm there to monitor it! Makes a good excuse to stay on board and maybe get a solar charger!
Steve, our current dock is "under amped" and the breaker trips regularly. Rumor has it that more amps and better wiring are on the way. Until then, I'll assume that there is not dock power unless I'm there to monitor it! Makes a good excuse to stay on board and maybe get a solar charger!
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