removehtml]I recently purchased a Hunter 29.5 after moving up from a 21', much simpler sailboat. My question is this. How can I charge the onboard batteries from shore power? Of course, the cord gets plugged into shore power. Then the "AC Main" switch gets turned on. On the AC switch board there is also a switch marked "Charge Battery" so I assume this also gets turned on. There is a battery selector in the starboard quarter storage area in the cockpit. Do I also have to turn this from "off" to "both" to charge both batteries or do the batteries charge without turning this to "both"? Can this be left in the "off" position? Can I leave this connected all the time without risk of overcharging the batteries? If I want to use lights, etc. while on shore power, does this affect charging? Thank you in advance for any help you can provide. I read through the manual that came with the boat, while it had instructions on how to connect to shore power, there wasn't anything that answered my question. I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes by and I stumble my way through. koolaukidError: Error: expected [/URL], but found [/removehtml] instead[/removehtml]
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a few things....
What kind of battery charger do you have? Is it a single-bank or a muitl-bank charger? Is it a dedicated automatic marine charger? Is it also an inverter? These are a few questions that need answers before advice and answers can be given. Good luck on the new boat.
What kind of battery charger do you have? Is it a single-bank or a muitl-bank charger? Is it a dedicated automatic marine charger? Is it also an inverter? These are a few questions that need answers before advice and answers can be given. Good luck on the new boat.
what kind of charger
The battery charger appears on the original factory wiring schematic, so must be original equipment. I don't know more that that, sorry. koolaukid
The battery charger appears on the original factory wiring schematic, so must be original equipment. I don't know more that that, sorry. koolaukid
You must poke around in all the compartments until
you locate the charger and batteries. They probably won't be in the same compartment. When you find the charger, note the manufacturer and model number, post it here and maybe we can help. It is pretty common for the charger to be connected directly to the battery(s) so the position of the battery switch 1-Both-2-OFF does not matter. You should not materially affect the charging proces by using "normal" cabin stuff like lights and fans. I'd also suggest you get make friends with some local sailors with boats kinda-sorta like yours to help with the familiarization process.
you locate the charger and batteries. They probably won't be in the same compartment. When you find the charger, note the manufacturer and model number, post it here and maybe we can help. It is pretty common for the charger to be connected directly to the battery(s) so the position of the battery switch 1-Both-2-OFF does not matter. You should not materially affect the charging proces by using "normal" cabin stuff like lights and fans. I'd also suggest you get make friends with some local sailors with boats kinda-sorta like yours to help with the familiarization process.
The battery switch performs a few functions;
perhaps the best way to describe it is to list those functions. 1)By selecting 1 or 2 you assign which battery will supply the current to meet the draw of a component. 2) By selecting ALL or BOTH means that both 1 and 2 are being combined to supply the current to meet the draw. 3) By setting the swith to OFF means you are separating both 1 and 2 from any circuits or draw from components. Usually shutoff when leaving boat unattended. Insure bilge pump is wired directly to batteries. 4) When running the engine the alternator will only charge the battery selected by the switch. 1,2 or BOTH. 5) A shorepower battery charger usually has its output leads connected directly to the batteries so it does not matter the position of the switch. 6) The most common use for a battery switch is to combine both batteries when a boost is needed to start the engine. 7) A common practice is to use either 1 or 2 and maintain the other in reserve. 8) Disconection of a battery while running the engine may damage alternator. The majority of the switches nowdays, not all, allow for the switching from 1 to 2 and to ALL while the engine is running. The switch action itself engages the second bank before releasing the first. This protects the alternator. As far as using power while charging it can be done simulatenausly; as the draw drains power out of the battery the alternator or shorepower charger can replace it. Ckeck the specifics of your battery charger like others have recommended. Also check the archives for "batteries" and learn about them and how they are connected.
perhaps the best way to describe it is to list those functions. 1)By selecting 1 or 2 you assign which battery will supply the current to meet the draw of a component. 2) By selecting ALL or BOTH means that both 1 and 2 are being combined to supply the current to meet the draw. 3) By setting the swith to OFF means you are separating both 1 and 2 from any circuits or draw from components. Usually shutoff when leaving boat unattended. Insure bilge pump is wired directly to batteries. 4) When running the engine the alternator will only charge the battery selected by the switch. 1,2 or BOTH. 5) A shorepower battery charger usually has its output leads connected directly to the batteries so it does not matter the position of the switch. 6) The most common use for a battery switch is to combine both batteries when a boost is needed to start the engine. 7) A common practice is to use either 1 or 2 and maintain the other in reserve. 8) Disconection of a battery while running the engine may damage alternator. The majority of the switches nowdays, not all, allow for the switching from 1 to 2 and to ALL while the engine is running. The switch action itself engages the second bank before releasing the first. This protects the alternator. As far as using power while charging it can be done simulatenausly; as the draw drains power out of the battery the alternator or shorepower charger can replace it. Ckeck the specifics of your battery charger like others have recommended. Also check the archives for "batteries" and learn about them and how they are connected.
Charger in aft starboard with battery
Koolaukid, on our 29.5 the battery charger was in the aft starboard locker with the batteries. Contrary to what others may say, Hunter has a habit of wiring charger through the battery switch. You will have to trace the wires to be sure. Get a volt meter and check to make sure that your charger is putting some volts into either battery with AC main on, Charger on, and battery switch on both. Then work your way down from there. Chargers don't last forever. When I replaced mine, I choose to wire as per the charger manufactures recommedation and wire directly to the battery.
Koolaukid, on our 29.5 the battery charger was in the aft starboard locker with the batteries. Contrary to what others may say, Hunter has a habit of wiring charger through the battery switch. You will have to trace the wires to be sure. Get a volt meter and check to make sure that your charger is putting some volts into either battery with AC main on, Charger on, and battery switch on both. Then work your way down from there. Chargers don't last forever. When I replaced mine, I choose to wire as per the charger manufactures recommedation and wire directly to the battery.
Battery Charger Installs
When I replaced my battery charger I discoverd that Hunter had installed a two bank Guest charger but then wired both outputs to the "A" post on the switch. Only one battery was charging unless it was set to both. Check it closely for proper instalation by checking charge voltage on each battery separately with the switch in each of the positions 1-Both-2-Off. Dennis W. S/V FullSailed
When I replaced my battery charger I discoverd that Hunter had installed a two bank Guest charger but then wired both outputs to the "A" post on the switch. Only one battery was charging unless it was set to both. Check it closely for proper instalation by checking charge voltage on each battery separately with the switch in each of the positions 1-Both-2-Off. Dennis W. S/V FullSailed
On my old 29.5
I don't think you said what year, but I had a 1995 29.5 a couple of years ago. If it is like mine, you should have a white charger located in the starboard aft locker right next to the batteries. Mine originally had two group 24 batteries. I think the original charger was a martek (sp??) charger. This charger is ok for recharging batteries but is not one of the newer smart chargers, so it will cook (overcharge) your batteries if left on all the time. Like others said, Hunter originally wired these so that you did need to select which battery you wanted to charge. after this charger cooked my originally batteries, I replaced the charger with a xantrex truecharge 20 with two new group 27 AGMs. Never worried about battery charging again. The truecharge will cycle down to a float charge, keeping the batteries at 100% and not over charging them. Hope this helped....t
I don't think you said what year, but I had a 1995 29.5 a couple of years ago. If it is like mine, you should have a white charger located in the starboard aft locker right next to the batteries. Mine originally had two group 24 batteries. I think the original charger was a martek (sp??) charger. This charger is ok for recharging batteries but is not one of the newer smart chargers, so it will cook (overcharge) your batteries if left on all the time. Like others said, Hunter originally wired these so that you did need to select which battery you wanted to charge. after this charger cooked my originally batteries, I replaced the charger with a xantrex truecharge 20 with two new group 27 AGMs. Never worried about battery charging again. The truecharge will cycle down to a float charge, keeping the batteries at 100% and not over charging them. Hope this helped....t
battery charger
Gentlemen, I thank you all for your helpful input. Subsequent to reading the responses, I looked but couldn't find the charger. I also checked the batteries with a voltmeter, in case I just was unable to locate the charger, the values didn't change when the battery switch was flipped on or off. So I guess I need to install a battery charger. Another project. Again, thank you for your help, you guys filled in the gap the manual left. koolaukid
Gentlemen, I thank you all for your helpful input. Subsequent to reading the responses, I looked but couldn't find the charger. I also checked the batteries with a voltmeter, in case I just was unable to locate the charger, the values didn't change when the battery switch was flipped on or off. So I guess I need to install a battery charger. Another project. Again, thank you for your help, you guys filled in the gap the manual left. koolaukid
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