It appears as though there is no built in battery carger in my '81 Hunter 33.. When plugged into shore power it will not charge my battery. Did a built in charger come standard or will I need to retrofit a trickle charger to use while it is at the dock. It is truly a drag to drive an hour to the boat to go sailing only to find a dead battery. I'm tired of pulling the battery out of my car to jump start it.. Any advice would be appreciated..
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automatic charger
As far as I know a charger is not included on a 33. I bought mine a 1980 last year. It was as near to a factory boat as you could find. I have added many small items to update it some. One of the first was to put in 2 group 27 batteries replacing the 24's that were almost dead. The deep cycle 27's are larger and required a push out of the pannel where the compaion way is. Long story short, I also purchased an automatic deep cycle charger from Wal-Mart for about $30. It automaticly charges the batteries without overcharging. I have set it on top of the batteries and run the cord to the outlet in the head. I will take a picture or two when I am next at the boat. You have choosen a well built boat that is very fun to sail.
As far as I know a charger is not included on a 33. I bought mine a 1980 last year. It was as near to a factory boat as you could find. I have added many small items to update it some. One of the first was to put in 2 group 27 batteries replacing the 24's that were almost dead. The deep cycle 27's are larger and required a push out of the pannel where the compaion way is. Long story short, I also purchased an automatic deep cycle charger from Wal-Mart for about $30. It automaticly charges the batteries without overcharging. I have set it on top of the batteries and run the cord to the outlet in the head. I will take a picture or two when I am next at the boat. You have choosen a well built boat that is very fun to sail.
Battery Upgrade
I agree with the dual size 27 battery upgrade and assume you would run them through a selector switch as well. I set up my 28.5 several years ago and tied them through a 'Smart Switch' which has led indicators for the state of charge and state of the charging circuit when the alternator is running. I also use an automatic but portable charger, with 50 amp starting capacity; 10 amp typical automatic charging and a manual 2 amp trickle charge. If you were to leave the charger hooked up to a battery circuit, I would be concerned that the battery could discharge. I make it a practice to check both batteries on the Smart Switch, then turn it to 'Off' when I leave the boat. If either battery is discharged when not used for a week or two, the batteries should be fully charged, tested with a hydrometer and replaced if necessary, I'm presently going into my 5th season with a pair of Exide Natulus Gold size 27 Deep Cycle batteries. Previously. I got 4 seasons out of two Die-Hard size 27 Deep Cycle batteries. I do make a practice of using the portable battery charger on automatic charge at 10 amps and top off at 2 amps every 30 days in the off seasons. During the season I switch batteries every hour when motoring to keep them equally charged.
I agree with the dual size 27 battery upgrade and assume you would run them through a selector switch as well. I set up my 28.5 several years ago and tied them through a 'Smart Switch' which has led indicators for the state of charge and state of the charging circuit when the alternator is running. I also use an automatic but portable charger, with 50 amp starting capacity; 10 amp typical automatic charging and a manual 2 amp trickle charge. If you were to leave the charger hooked up to a battery circuit, I would be concerned that the battery could discharge. I make it a practice to check both batteries on the Smart Switch, then turn it to 'Off' when I leave the boat. If either battery is discharged when not used for a week or two, the batteries should be fully charged, tested with a hydrometer and replaced if necessary, I'm presently going into my 5th season with a pair of Exide Natulus Gold size 27 Deep Cycle batteries. Previously. I got 4 seasons out of two Die-Hard size 27 Deep Cycle batteries. I do make a practice of using the portable battery charger on automatic charge at 10 amps and top off at 2 amps every 30 days in the off seasons. During the season I switch batteries every hour when motoring to keep them equally charged.
solar panel?
I would think that s five watt solar panel would keep your battery topped up in your part of the world, if your power use is starting and nightlights for 48-72 hours. Regards, Jim
I would think that s five watt solar panel would keep your battery topped up in your part of the world, if your power use is starting and nightlights for 48-72 hours. Regards, Jim
Check out Dave's Marine
This guy has great prices on Statpower chargers. They are probably the best units on the market for the money. http://www.brokenlegdave.com/index.html
This guy has great prices on Statpower chargers. They are probably the best units on the market for the money. http://www.brokenlegdave.com/index.html
Batteries and Automatic Charger
This is a picture of my set up. It has evolved over the year and is likely more complex than it needs to be. From reading posts here every boater has his own solution to the battery storage problem. The engine compartment was extended to hold group 27 batteries. Likely four batteries could be stored in this space. A combiner was added to enable charging both batteries safely. Also, a switch to connect the alternator directly to the batteries was added bypassing the "outflow" switch between the starter and house batteries. This, of course, is not needed but may prevent accidental disconnection of the alternator while running.
This is a picture of my set up. It has evolved over the year and is likely more complex than it needs to be. From reading posts here every boater has his own solution to the battery storage problem. The engine compartment was extended to hold group 27 batteries. Likely four batteries could be stored in this space. A combiner was added to enable charging both batteries safely. Also, a switch to connect the alternator directly to the batteries was added bypassing the "outflow" switch between the starter and house batteries. This, of course, is not needed but may prevent accidental disconnection of the alternator while running.
Attachments
get a good charger
If you use your boat a great deal and have invested three or four hundred dollars in batteries you had better invest in a good, smart battery charger with automatic shut offs and the ability to equalize your batteries. Your batteries will last double the time if treated properly with a good charger. A good charger will keep your batteries in top condition but also you will not have to worry about explosions when disconecting portable units.
If you use your boat a great deal and have invested three or four hundred dollars in batteries you had better invest in a good, smart battery charger with automatic shut offs and the ability to equalize your batteries. Your batteries will last double the time if treated properly with a good charger. A good charger will keep your batteries in top condition but also you will not have to worry about explosions when disconecting portable units.
My take on charger set-up
My battery compliment consists of two banks of two batteries each. The starting bank is a pair of group 24's paralelled side by side on a shelf set a bit lower than the original mount point. The house bank is a pair of paralelled group 27's. One is mounted on a shelf set just above the engine bank, the other on a shelf set just above the reverse gear and shaft log. My boat came with a recreational vehicle transformer based voltage converter. It was supposed to supply 12 volt to the electrical system and had a small charger built in. It was mounted by the previous owner on a vertical face of the liner that forms the quarter berth. Aside from the fact that it weighed a ton and was badly installed it appeared not to be working. OFF WITH IT'S HEAD! Out it went, to be replaced with a "Guest Charge Pro SmartLeg waterproof Charger for Bluewater Cruising/Fishing Boats" as described in West Marine, page 625. I paid $175.for the 15 amp. It works as advertised and seems to be adequate, although I don't run the batteries down very far. Read the specs in West's catalog. It's not bad for the price. Then find a local guy to sell it to you for less than West.
My battery compliment consists of two banks of two batteries each. The starting bank is a pair of group 24's paralelled side by side on a shelf set a bit lower than the original mount point. The house bank is a pair of paralelled group 27's. One is mounted on a shelf set just above the engine bank, the other on a shelf set just above the reverse gear and shaft log. My boat came with a recreational vehicle transformer based voltage converter. It was supposed to supply 12 volt to the electrical system and had a small charger built in. It was mounted by the previous owner on a vertical face of the liner that forms the quarter berth. Aside from the fact that it weighed a ton and was badly installed it appeared not to be working. OFF WITH IT'S HEAD! Out it went, to be replaced with a "Guest Charge Pro SmartLeg waterproof Charger for Bluewater Cruising/Fishing Boats" as described in West Marine, page 625. I paid $175.for the 15 amp. It works as advertised and seems to be adequate, although I don't run the batteries down very far. Read the specs in West's catalog. It's not bad for the price. Then find a local guy to sell it to you for less than West.
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