RUN DOWN BATTERIES

cmeperform · Post by **cmeperform** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:29 pm

I left the 527c lowrance on,not a good idea.All 3 lights also.About 5 hours later all was dead.

With just a mass light,how long will two optimus gel cells last?

Had to cut the anchor line & swim while pulling the boat.No wind.Had generator but with dead batteries kept throwing breaker.LOL
Thought I was prepared,
NOT

James V · Post by **James V** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:35 pm

How big are the batteries? Amp hours or type?

YOu should have lasted much longer than this if the batteries was fully charged. I think for some reason you was not charging the batteries.

Triping the Breaker on the generator is a good indicator that you have a dead short somewhere. Take every thing off the batteries and try to charge with the gen.

tangentair · Post by **tangentair** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:56 pm

Why did you cut the line? What was the matter with your OB? Why didn't you just take one of the batteries out of the circuit and that would have cut the load in half? Sounds more like one of the batteries failed and took out the other to me.

cmeperform · Post by **cmeperform** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:42 pm

Seems like something is wrong,thats for sure.I charged one battery & I'm charging the other one now.The first battery seems to be charged up good now & holding a charge.Lets see about the other one.

Anchor's get stuck in the tree's on the bottom of our lake.We just pull them loose with the boat when were ready to leave.As long as the boat starts up.

Post by **Russ** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:47 pm

cmeperform wrote:Anchor's get stuck in the tree's on the bottom of our lake.We just pull them loose with the boat when were ready to leave.As long as the boat starts up.

I hope you tied a float on the end so you can come back and recover it.

cmeperform · Post by **cmeperform** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:25 pm

these are new optima 870

Boblee · Post by **Boblee** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:49 pm

Sounds like you could have something wrong but your batteries could have been down prior, just because they show full voltage doesn't mean they are full, they take time to absorb to full capacity.
Haven't used the optima batteries but they will accept a big charge which is probably why your CB tripped, as tang said disconnecting one battery could help otherwise you need to work out a way to limit the charge in this situation, even lighter or longer leads will do that within reason.
Our 12v honda charger would stall unless we cut it back to low and it was delivering 50 amps then, on standard Calcium batteries.
The fact that you mention you have a generator leads me to believe that you have only charged your batteries until the charge rate dropped instead of continuing a slow charge , it is a common trap.

cmeperform · Post by **cmeperform** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:50 pm

I'm thinking at this point I didn't have a full charge.Guess while the boat is not being used I should switch all power off by the dial before the batteries.Something must drain on them if you leave the dial in the on position.Both batteries charged up fine.The generator runs the battery charger fine.Guess I be sure to bring it along next time.

cmeperform · Post by **cmeperform** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:57 pm

My other boat had a built in charger & I just plugged it up before each use.Guess it's a good idea to do the same with this boat.The new yamaha should charge them up fast.Thats what boating atlanta told me because I ask.Also, they have both batteries hooked in together.Seems the house battery should run the house & be by itself.If that were the case,I would have had a backup

James V · Post by **James V** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:07 pm

I recomend a battery switch. A or B or A+B or none.

cmeperform · Post by **cmeperform** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:09 pm

yes, it has this switch.I'm just getting used to this boat.Sure will leave it in the none position when I'm not using it

cmeperform · Post by **cmeperform** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:35 pm

I would like to know if anybody has 4 batteries?

Boblee · Post by **Boblee** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:23 am

Four batteries is probably overkill unless you are doing long trips with little motor running.
If your batteries are down and you need to charge them up 80amps and your motor charges at 25 amps like an etec you will need to run your motor a minimum of four hours at that rate but of course the charge rate will drop as the batteries charge so in practice it could take up to seven hours depending on the way the charge circuit is set up and the batteries accept it.
I would think using optima batteries they would take a very quick charge.
If you run two cabin lights they will draw down the battery 3 amps per hour which is more than half your usable charge probably in one 70amp battery in 10 hr's.
Your mast light is slightly less than 1 amp per hour.

James V · Post by **James V** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:56 am

You motor charging is at a different rate per RPM's. As noted above, the closer to full charge, the less amps put out.

There has been some that have talked about putting more than 2 batteries on board. I only have 2 stock type batteries.

cmeperform · Post by **cmeperform** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:26 am

I guess two batteries are enough then.I just got used to having the plug in on the other boat.Guess I will look into a wind generator also.Thanks

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

RUN DOWN BATTERIES

RUN DOWN BATTERIES

optima 870

May have not had a full charge