Hi David,
Sounds like you are learning the boat and fixing some problems. Are you on a mooring or in a marina slip?
AGM batteries:
I have two AGMs. I replaced one after 9 years of use/abuse. (Originally I used an auto charger that didn't do a very good job.) Added a charger to the boat after the first 7 years when the batteries were getting hard to charge. The charger is a ProSport three stage unit that conditions batteries. It charges at 14.7 volts initially to knock off sulfate on the plates, then drops to a more normal voltage to charge and ends w a trickel charge at something closer to 13vDC. Using this better charger, the batteries charge to a higher voltage and tend to hold a charge longer. Months over the winter. There are newer products that may be better? But it did a really neat job and I got two more years out one battery and the 2nd one is just showing signs it needs to be replaced after 11 years. I now charge the batteries from shorepower about once a month. The rest of the time, the engine does a fine job if I remember to place the selector to "ALL" .
I monitor the batteries w a digital Volt meter that you stick in a 12 socket. Works great and you can buy them at any good auto supply.
You may want to research getting an ammeter to chase down what is draining your batteries?
Before you leave your boat, definitely want to valve off the propane tank, and shutoff any alarms when no-one is there to hear them.
From: "David Knecht" <davidakne...@gmail.com>
To: "CnC CnC discussion list" <CnC-List@cnc-list.com>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2013 10:04:36 AM
Subject: Stus-List Drained AGM battery
I am beginning to feel that I have bad karma with my new boat. First the good news: based on all the advice I received, the Universal starting issue seems definitely fixed- since I cleaned the ground connection, it has started smoothly every time. The only strange thing is that all the directions I have read say that you should continue to push the glow plug button while pushing the start button. However, on mine, the engine will not turn over unless I release the glow plug button. Also, the GPS restarts each time I start the engine, which may mean there is still some electrical issue, but neither is a serious problem at this point.
_______________________________________________
This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album
http://www.cncphotoalbum.com
CnC-List@cnc-list.com
Sounds like you are learning the boat and fixing some problems. Are you on a mooring or in a marina slip?
AGM batteries:
I have two AGMs. I replaced one after 9 years of use/abuse. (Originally I used an auto charger that didn't do a very good job.) Added a charger to the boat after the first 7 years when the batteries were getting hard to charge. The charger is a ProSport three stage unit that conditions batteries. It charges at 14.7 volts initially to knock off sulfate on the plates, then drops to a more normal voltage to charge and ends w a trickel charge at something closer to 13vDC. Using this better charger, the batteries charge to a higher voltage and tend to hold a charge longer. Months over the winter. There are newer products that may be better? But it did a really neat job and I got two more years out one battery and the 2nd one is just showing signs it needs to be replaced after 11 years. I now charge the batteries from shorepower about once a month. The rest of the time, the engine does a fine job if I remember to place the selector to "ALL" .
I monitor the batteries w a digital Volt meter that you stick in a 12 socket. Works great and you can buy them at any good auto supply.
You may want to research getting an ammeter to chase down what is draining your batteries?
Before you leave your boat, definitely want to valve off the propane tank, and shutoff any alarms when no-one is there to hear them.
Chuck
Resolute
1990 C&C 34R
Atlantic City, NJ
Resolute
1990 C&C 34R
Atlantic City, NJ
From: "David Knecht" <davidakne...@gmail.com>
To: "CnC CnC discussion list" <CnC-List@cnc-list.com>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2013 10:04:36 AM
Subject: Stus-List Drained AGM battery
I am beginning to feel that I have bad karma with my new boat. First the good news: based on all the advice I received, the Universal starting issue seems definitely fixed- since I cleaned the ground connection, it has started smoothly every time. The only strange thing is that all the directions I have read say that you should continue to push the glow plug button while pushing the start button. However, on mine, the engine will not turn over unless I release the glow plug button. Also, the GPS restarts each time I start the engine, which may mean there is still some electrical issue, but neither is a serious problem at this point.
Also, the black smoke etc. is largely gone since I cleaned the bottom and prop as best I could. The shaft and prop were completely crusted with barnacles, so clearly my Pettit zinc coat did not do its job. I may try Velox next spring based on the advice of a local old timer.
So yesterday I go went to the boat and found that my #1 battery is completely dead. This is the battery that is wired for the auto-bilge pump switch and propane fume alarm (that is all I know of). The batteries are 2 month old Power-tech AGM group 27's. I could not get much of any charge after a day of running the engine for a few hours totals.
Questions:
1. do new batteries fail at some rate?
2. Will an AGM charge from the alternator if fully discharged? If so, roughly how long would it take? I brought it home and tried to use my smart charger and that is not charging it at all (the charging light does not come on).
Perhaps related- I twice was on the boat briefly during the week and found the Xintex propane fume alarm going. Both times I checked the propane system and the tank shutoff was closed and all switches were off. So I don't believe there were really propane fumes in the cabin. So could the sensor have failed? Could the alarm going for many many hours drain the battery (I don't think the bilge pump is doing it).
David Knecht
Aries
1990 C&C 34+
New London, CT
_______________________________________________
This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album
http://www.cncphotoalbum.com
CnC-List@cnc-list.com
_______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com
