I recently purchased a 1984 Hunter 34. If I sit out on the hook rockin' to the BeeGees all night until the batteries run down will I be able to start the engine in the morning? Is there anything to protect against that? If not, what can I do?
What's the deal with the batteries on a Hunter 34?
- Thread starter markwbird
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Boat should have 2 batteries and an A/B/Both switch. Rock out on one and save the other for starting. Don't use "both" except when charging.
Probably wired with a simple 1-both-2 switch on the engine cover, to starboard. Put it on "1" when you stop the engine.You can use up that battery now because it will be isolated from the other. If the batteries are both good and charged 100%, You should be able to listen to music .. then switch to the other one to start the engine.. then switch to "both" to charge up the low one. The stock alternator is only 35 amperes so it will struggle to refill the battery that you used for the night .. A good shore powered charger can finish the job later. Make sure you at least have good 100 ampere hour deep cycle batteries. Key is to use only one battery overnight and start the engine on the fresh one. There are otehr ways to do this but a simple 1-both-2 is pretty easy to understand. Good Luck..
Ay to above.
Not to get off topic but everyone should know that sometimes if the batteries are too weak to crank, you can get the engine spinning by releasing the compression on the engine, then re apply compression and if you are lucky it will start.
Not to get off topic but everyone should know that sometimes if the batteries are too weak to crank, you can get the engine spinning by releasing the compression on the engine, then re apply compression and if you are lucky it will start.
Are the batteries deep cycle? They might be Group 24 which is very small and they might be old so there is not much capacity left. You could retain the starting battery on switch position 2 and put two 6 Volt Golf Cart batteries wired in series (available at Costco) down in the hole. That would pretty much double your current house capacity for about $160 plus a wire to hook them together. They would be on your position 1. Pretty easy upgrade.
What you REALLY need to learn about, in addition to this good advice, is called "Boat Electrical Systems."
Really.
You could start here:
Electrical Systems 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5977.0.html
Energy Budget: What is your daily load?
Batteries: Deep cycle, how many? how big?
Good luck, happy reading.
Really.
You could start here:
Electrical Systems 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5977.0.html
Energy Budget: What is your daily load?
Batteries: Deep cycle, how many? how big?
Good luck, happy reading.
John: That is a good point. The only issue is with some of the newer model engines they have removed the decompession levers. I always thought that they all had them.
All good advice
Thanks all, for the tips. I have no idea how good the batteries are as I have never tested them. The advice from Stu to learn about boat electrical systems is well taken. I would like to upgrade. I like the golf cart battery idea.
Thanks all, for the tips. I have no idea how good the batteries are as I have never tested them. The advice from Stu to learn about boat electrical systems is well taken. I would like to upgrade. I like the golf cart battery idea.
markwbird:
Congrats on your new boat.
Regarding your post, I do suggest that you follow Stu Jackson's recommendation to learn about your boat's DC system -- starting with the link he has provided. Not having the background understanding will eventually lead to a spot of trouble at some point.
There are just too many variables to answer your question and which you need to know about. For example, if your batteries (presume you have two installed that can be separated or connected together with the a/b/both or 1/2/both switch) are in good overall condition and are reasonably fully charged, and if your drain overnight is really only the stereo for a few hours at low volume, then likely you can start your engine the next morning. But if the batteries are already somewhat drained and/or they are old, then it won't take much power usage overnight to render them dead as far as engine starting is concerned. Not really different than with a car. If the battery is new and you sit in a parking lot listening to the radio and charging your Ipad for a few hours, then likely the car will start. If the battery has been in your car for five years, maybe it won't start the engine. Or if you mistakenly also left on the parking lights while you are sitting in your car, then the even new battery might not start the engine after even an hour or so.
On my boat, I position the switch to only one battery for "house" use. And even then I won't feel comfortable about draining it very much just in case I've done something wrong and the other battery has been unintentionally drained or not re-charged.
You have to have an appreciation for all the dynamics of your DC system to avoid trouble and to keep your batteries in good condition of the years.
Congrats on your new boat.
Regarding your post, I do suggest that you follow Stu Jackson's recommendation to learn about your boat's DC system -- starting with the link he has provided. Not having the background understanding will eventually lead to a spot of trouble at some point.
There are just too many variables to answer your question and which you need to know about. For example, if your batteries (presume you have two installed that can be separated or connected together with the a/b/both or 1/2/both switch) are in good overall condition and are reasonably fully charged, and if your drain overnight is really only the stereo for a few hours at low volume, then likely you can start your engine the next morning. But if the batteries are already somewhat drained and/or they are old, then it won't take much power usage overnight to render them dead as far as engine starting is concerned. Not really different than with a car. If the battery is new and you sit in a parking lot listening to the radio and charging your Ipad for a few hours, then likely the car will start. If the battery has been in your car for five years, maybe it won't start the engine. Or if you mistakenly also left on the parking lights while you are sitting in your car, then the even new battery might not start the engine after even an hour or so.
On my boat, I position the switch to only one battery for "house" use. And even then I won't feel comfortable about draining it very much just in case I've done something wrong and the other battery has been unintentionally drained or not re-charged.
You have to have an appreciation for all the dynamics of your DC system to avoid trouble and to keep your batteries in good condition of the years.
One night playing the radio should not be a problem but the possibility of you waking up to dead batteries is a real concern. There is a couple of alternatives to prepare for that eventuality. 1) have more than one battery and just use one leaving the other in reserve. Its an easy concept but every day mistakes are made. 2) Get a tow boat membership and coverage. Call the and they will come to your boat and give it a jump. 3) Purchase and keep a charged battery pack aboard. 4) a diesel engine can be hand cranked if fitted to accept a cranck handle. I highly recommend option #1 or a combination of it with any of the others.
double up
My Hunter 34 came with 3 batteries. One for starting and the other 2, wired together, for house.
I have found it useful to make sure that the house batteries and the starting battery are fully charged before leaving the dock, and once out to simply use house batteries for all circuits other than engine starting while keeping the starting battery only for starting the engine. This not only preserves the starting battery for starting but insures that you will always be able to recharge the house batteries.
That's good advice. One often ignored issue for boaters: so many (perhaps incorrectly) assume that they will always start off a cruise with FULL batteries. For those who do more than marina hopping, the REAL issue is how to replenish the house bank after a night at anchor. For those with fridges, the reality is that the average daily load amounts to around 100 ah.
How you replace that energy becomes critical, & requires system and charging planning. Many of the answers are included in the link I provided earlier, as well as rules-of-thumb system component sizing options based on not having to reinvent the wheel.
How you replace that energy becomes critical, & requires system and charging planning. Many of the answers are included in the link I provided earlier, as well as rules-of-thumb system component sizing options based on not having to reinvent the wheel.
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