Charging batteries with shore power question

[md80max]

Today I am going to plug my boat into shore power to keep the batteries charged. It is cold here in Texas, should have already done this. Anyways, I don't know what position the Perko switch should be in for the charging. It makes sense to me that with the switch in both, that would work but can it also be off and accomplish the same task.

Thanks for the replies to this newbie.

[yukonbob]

Cold...in Texas...
It all depends on how your charger is wired. Watch your zincs if plugging into shore if you don't have a galvanic isolator. Honestly if you're going to the boat at least once a month your batteries will be fine. If not returning for longer, say up to three months; make sure they're fully charged and disconnect all cables and leave in place. Your batteries will be better off like that on the boat than on the garage floor (big no no). Leavening batteries charging all the time can be far worse for them in some instances. I regularly leave my hunting truck in -30 to -40 celcius temps in the bush for up to a week without issue and no option to plug in th block heater; it goes much longer in the driveway but I will plug the block heater in before cranking it at home if the temps are down.

[md80max]

Bob,

You made me laugh.....at myself! I guess to come in here and post that it is cold in Texas shows what a wimp I am and I really don't know "cold" like you do.

I do appreciate the reply though and I am going to the boat often, was sailing last week and will try to sail every chance I get this ( Texas ) winter.

By the way, it was snowing here in Texas just two days ago. I saw it with my own eyes. The accumulation was around 1 to 2........... millimeters but just to be clear, it gets cold enough to snow here!!!!

[yukonbob]

Ya it's been -32 (-26f) the last few days, and no, windchill is not part of that nor should it be You may not be used to the cold but I'm pretty useless in anything above 25c (77f) for about a week until I acclimatize If you're going out that often and running the boat engine for 30-40'min (warm up, motor out, motor in, cool down) and not running an electric auto pilot, refer or other high loads while sailing (assuming at least a 50hp on the back?) you should be ok. I'd buy a cheap multimeter and see what you're using and if they're sufficiently charging rather than just plugging in. I personally avoid shorepower like the plague as without isolation your zincs will make up for others who don't keep theirs maintained. Another option is a small flexible solar panel to keep them topped up and there's no hookup fees or monthly bills with minimum surcharges etc.

[Brian]

Back to the original question. Most battery chargers are connected directly to the batteries, so it does not matter how the Perko switch is set.

On my boat the batteries are charging whenever shore power is plugged in. BTW, it's about 50 degrees here is Austin, TX right now.

I actually enjoy sailing in this kind of weather. Unfortunately, that work thing is getting in the way today...

[BOAT]

.

Yukon Bob:


Yukon Bob's Battery Charger:

[yukonbob]

Hey I know that guy! First ones close but the other two are still at least 500-600 miles south of here Funny story...some people from out of town commented on how people in the north must have a lot of money. Why would you say that? All the electric vehicles they replied. huh?? All the vehicles have charging cords hanging out the front of them.

[BOAT]

Hey I know that guy! First ones close but the other two are still at least 500-600 miles south of here Funny story...some people from out of town commented on how people in the north must have a lot of money. Why would you say that? All the electric vehicles they replied. huh?? All the vehicles have charging cords hanging out the front of them.

Yeah - Electric Cars! The Licences Plate on the car means: "F"-YOU OPEC in Hoboken talk. (In Hoboken they are more yuppified and drive BMW's - in Jersey they say the whole thing with the "uck" included).

The plugs hanging from the front grill are only known to the folks in Fargo.

In California they think the electric charging stations are supposed to be wireless.

[grady]

Yeah - Electric Cars! The Licences Plate on the car means: "F"-YOU OPEC in Hoboken talk.

I have seen other plates similar. Byopec, zeroe, ect. People do not realize there is no such thing as zero emissions. You are trying to tell me that the tires you are riding on will never wear out? The batteries you are using last forever? There was no oil consumed manufacturing the vehicle or shipping it to you? The only car that has zero emissions is the one that is not manufactured.

[Tomfoolery]

The plugs hanging from the front grill are only known to the folks in Fargo.

And to owners of diesels.

(Though mine starts on its own even below zero F.)

[RobertB]

My first year owning the , I tried using an automotive charger to maintain the batteries. Several batteries later (cost shared by both myself and WM) I realized I needed a proper marine battery charger. I now use a ProMariner charger that will maintain three different batteries (works best if the Perko switches are set to keep them isolated during shore charging). Never replaced a battery since.

[dxg4848]

Today I am going to plug my boat into shore power to keep the batteries charged. It is cold here in Texas, should have already done this. Anyways, I don't know what position the Perko switch should be in for the charging. It makes sense to me that with the switch in both, that would work but can it also be off and accomplish the same task.

Thanks for the replies to this newbie.

I have my shore power battery charger connected directly to both batteries. This way switch is out of the equation and batteries can be charged with switch in any position (even OFF). Chances are your charger is connected the same way. Follow charger leads and see if they go through switch or go directly to battery.

[paul I]

This all depends on the type of charger you might have. If its a two bank charger (ie: it connects with separate leads to each battery), don't leave the switch in the "combine" or "both" position. If the charger has only a single set of leads and connects to only one battery (or to the switch itself) then do use the "combine" or "both" setting.

[Tomfoolery]

This all depends on the type of charger you might have. If its a two bank charger (ie: it connects with separate leads to each battery), don't leave the switch in the "combine" or "both" position. If the charger has only a single set of leads and connects to only one battery (or to the switch itself) then do use the "combine" or "both" setting.

Unless there are multiple batteries, AND there's a charge relay, in which case only one battery is connected to the charger, and the batt switch would normally be 'off' (depending on how it's connected to the battery).

[yukonbob]

Yeah - Electric Cars! The Licences Plate on the car means: "F"-YOU OPEC in Hoboken talk.

I have seen other plates similar. Byopec, zeroe, ect. People do not realize there is no such thing as zero emissions. You are trying to tell me that the tires you are riding on will never wear out? The batteries you are using last forever? There was no oil consumed manufacturing the vehicle or shipping it to you? The only car that has zero emissions is the one that is not manufactured.

Or the type of electricity used to charge said car