Alright guys and gals, I'm askin' for it. where can I get the low-down on shore power. More specifically: Does shore power bypass the batteries? If not, does it charge the batteries? Can you charge via the shore power connection? Also, my 26 has 2 batts, both deep cycle marine. One is in the transom behind the rear berth, the other is in the cabinet under the Galley stove. Does this mean the first is the starter and the second is the house? How can I tell if they're connected? The selector has 1, 2, all, and off positions, when do I use which? I have spent a good portion of my day today trying to track wires in the boat, looking in the archives here and emailing the PO. Any help would be appreciated, even directions to sites where I can learn this stuff on my own. Thanks for your patience. Dave
shore power????
- Thread starter Dave D 94 H26
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You need a charger
In order for shorepower to charge your batteries you have to have a charger. Mine makes a noticable humming noise and has a breaker to issolate it. When you think you have all the switch combinations figured out, you can prove your assertion by disconnecting the battery that you think is currently selected and verifying your DC lights stop working.
In order for shorepower to charge your batteries you have to have a charger. Mine makes a noticable humming noise and has a breaker to issolate it. When you think you have all the switch combinations figured out, you can prove your assertion by disconnecting the battery that you think is currently selected and verifying your DC lights stop working.
Answers
In response to your first three questions, No Yes Yes This concludes what I know about electricity.
In response to your first three questions, No Yes Yes This concludes what I know about electricity.
Wire tracing.
I am sure a fellow H26er can steer you right. Meanwhile see if you can follow the wire from the back of the shore power connection. It will be three wire white romac, just like in the house but hopefully marine grade. It might go to a little black box, a polarity warning device. It should also go to a charger, a much larger shoebox size device. If it only goes to the 110v AC outlets then you have no charger. I was on an old H27 once. The owner kept checking the battery but it was low. Shorepower was plugged in. Sure enough, there was no charger on the boat. This boat could only be charged from the alternator with the diesel running. Your boat may have as it's only charging source the outboard motor.
I am sure a fellow H26er can steer you right. Meanwhile see if you can follow the wire from the back of the shore power connection. It will be three wire white romac, just like in the house but hopefully marine grade. It might go to a little black box, a polarity warning device. It should also go to a charger, a much larger shoebox size device. If it only goes to the 110v AC outlets then you have no charger. I was on an old H27 once. The owner kept checking the battery but it was low. Shorepower was plugged in. Sure enough, there was no charger on the boat. This boat could only be charged from the alternator with the diesel running. Your boat may have as it's only charging source the outboard motor.
Shore power
If you buy a charger be sure you get a 2-bank charger and one that has three levels of charge. It will give a fast high amp charge, then reduce to a second level and finally drop to a maintenance charge so the batteries don't cook (overcharge)themselves.
If you buy a charger be sure you get a 2-bank charger and one that has three levels of charge. It will give a fast high amp charge, then reduce to a second level and finally drop to a maintenance charge so the batteries don't cook (overcharge)themselves.
Answers are: maybe, maybe, maybe.
It all depends on how the boat is wired. I assume you are not the original owner. The previous owner(s) could've made a bunch of changes, and the answers to all 3 of your questions could be yes, no, maybe. No one would know except the previous owner(s). Now, normally, when a boat is wired, the ideal way is have the shore power go to a battery charger, which charges the batteries, and the batteries supplies all of the 12v power components on the boat, including the engine's starter. If you also have 120v outlets on the boat, then the power is supplied from the shore power, or from an electrical inverter that converts 12v to 120v. So, it all depends. I would suggest that you follow all of the wiring starting from the shore power connection. Write down every connection, switches, black boxes, etc. And write down every bit of info from these black boxes. Afterwards, draw it on a piece of paper, and then you will have a good idea what you have on the boat, and how they are wired. Good luck.
It all depends on how the boat is wired. I assume you are not the original owner. The previous owner(s) could've made a bunch of changes, and the answers to all 3 of your questions could be yes, no, maybe. No one would know except the previous owner(s). Now, normally, when a boat is wired, the ideal way is have the shore power go to a battery charger, which charges the batteries, and the batteries supplies all of the 12v power components on the boat, including the engine's starter. If you also have 120v outlets on the boat, then the power is supplied from the shore power, or from an electrical inverter that converts 12v to 120v. So, it all depends. I would suggest that you follow all of the wiring starting from the shore power connection. Write down every connection, switches, black boxes, etc. And write down every bit of info from these black boxes. Afterwards, draw it on a piece of paper, and then you will have a good idea what you have on the boat, and how they are wired. Good luck.
Clearly you have asked for it!
Clearly you are interested in "discovering the joys of boat electricity and wiring". I'd recommend a trip to the libuary to bone up on basic electricity and them boat maintance. Most boat electric work is as simple as: battery + to switch to load to battery - Nothing real hard here you just need to know the basics. Most boat maintance books have a basic wiring diagram that can help you figure out how your boat is actually wired. Do yourself a favor, make your own wiring diagram (with bat sizes and such) and put it in your boat data book.
Clearly you are interested in "discovering the joys of boat electricity and wiring". I'd recommend a trip to the libuary to bone up on basic electricity and them boat maintance. Most boat electric work is as simple as: battery + to switch to load to battery - Nothing real hard here you just need to know the basics. Most boat maintance books have a basic wiring diagram that can help you figure out how your boat is actually wired. Do yourself a favor, make your own wiring diagram (with bat sizes and such) and put it in your boat data book.
Shore Power
You are clearly at a disadvantage if the PO did not leave you with a wiring diagram. All good advice above but I'd start with Don Casey's "Sailboat Electrics" as a primer. After reading this slim volume you'll get an idea if the shorepower installation you have is to code or at least safe. I've done a shorepower installation in my H260. You might want to take a look. Go to: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/electric1/electrical1_narrative.html http://kobernus.com/hunter260/electric1/electric1.html
You are clearly at a disadvantage if the PO did not leave you with a wiring diagram. All good advice above but I'd start with Don Casey's "Sailboat Electrics" as a primer. After reading this slim volume you'll get an idea if the shorepower installation you have is to code or at least safe. I've done a shorepower installation in my H260. You might want to take a look. Go to: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/electric1/electrical1_narrative.html http://kobernus.com/hunter260/electric1/electric1.html
obligatory statement of appreciation
So as not to get blasted by the string a few months ago about newbies not ever showing any appreciation: Thanks for all the help folks. I've got lots of lernin' to do! Dave
So as not to get blasted by the string a few months ago about newbies not ever showing any appreciation: Thanks for all the help folks. I've got lots of lernin' to do! Dave
Get yourself a book.
The fact that you have two batteries in completely different places is an indication that the electrical system has been modified. If you have the inclination get a couple of books and educate yourself about electricity, boat systems and components and then figure out what you have and don't have and what does what in your boat. It is a learning process. Good Luck.
The fact that you have two batteries in completely different places is an indication that the electrical system has been modified. If you have the inclination get a couple of books and educate yourself about electricity, boat systems and components and then figure out what you have and don't have and what does what in your boat. It is a learning process. Good Luck.
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