I have a 1993 28.I have 2 batteries that are connected in parallel.They are identical batteries,deep cycle Marine,120 amps each.I also have a Guest 2 bank charger 10 amps 5/5 connected at all times.Last weekend,everything was fine.I went down last night to boat and noticed that the DC Main light was off even though switch was on.I traced back and removed both batteries.One had no volts on multimeter,the other had 5 volts on multimeter.I have never had this happen before.Can anyone hazard a theory how I could have lost both batteries like this.I dont know how old they were and yes,I didnt do good maintenance and fill them with distilled water in the last year.Is it possible to lose them both(boiled out) or should I be looking for some other problem on board. Thanks
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You must have a significant load or short
somewhere in order to discharge both batteries that far in such a short period of time. Common problem loads or shorts are: (1) a bilge pump float switch (stuck or broken); (2) a faulty bilge pump; (3) a faulty battery charger; (4) forgotten lights or fans; and (5) everything else. If none of these appears to have been left on (first check the position of the bilge pump float switch) or is obviously fried you can just connect an ohmmeter to both battery connecting cables -- with the shorepower disconnected -- and measure the summed resistance over the entire circuit. If it is less than a few hundred Ohms, with all known loads shut off, you clearly have a short somewhere. In case that short proves hard to find but the open circuit resistance is at least several Ohms you should borrow a good clamp-on DC ammeter, connect a fully charged battery and start tracing where the current is flowing. I once was able to trace a dead battery to the forgotten current draw of the propane sensors (nearly 200 mA!). However, that was after 8 months; your current loss has to be much bigger than that. Success! Flying Dutchman
somewhere in order to discharge both batteries that far in such a short period of time. Common problem loads or shorts are: (1) a bilge pump float switch (stuck or broken); (2) a faulty bilge pump; (3) a faulty battery charger; (4) forgotten lights or fans; and (5) everything else. If none of these appears to have been left on (first check the position of the bilge pump float switch) or is obviously fried you can just connect an ohmmeter to both battery connecting cables -- with the shorepower disconnected -- and measure the summed resistance over the entire circuit. If it is less than a few hundred Ohms, with all known loads shut off, you clearly have a short somewhere. In case that short proves hard to find but the open circuit resistance is at least several Ohms you should borrow a good clamp-on DC ammeter, connect a fully charged battery and start tracing where the current is flowing. I once was able to trace a dead battery to the forgotten current draw of the propane sensors (nearly 200 mA!). However, that was after 8 months; your current loss has to be much bigger than that. Success! Flying Dutchman
Boiled out
It's possible by leaving the 110 yellow cord on 24/7 that the batteries overcharged and boiled off the water, which will kill them. My marine electrician insists every time I bump into him that 95% of all boat fires are electrical. He advises against shore power unless you're there to appreciate it (and put out the fire).
It's possible by leaving the 110 yellow cord on 24/7 that the batteries overcharged and boiled off the water, which will kill them. My marine electrician insists every time I bump into him that 95% of all boat fires are electrical. He advises against shore power unless you're there to appreciate it (and put out the fire).
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