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#1
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Batteries and alternators
I am writing in regard to a 1991 360 Commodore. I am having an issue
with the house batteries not keeping a charge. This is the 3 set of batteries that I have put purchased in the last 2 years. I have a feeling there is something draining the batteries. I used to be able to go a full 24 hours and run al kinds of 12V accessories on the boat with out ever having to run the generator to charge back up the batteries. The main thing I am writing about is that since the generator starts off the house batteries, when the house batteries do get weak there isn't enough power to start the generator. In the past this has not been a problem since all I had to do was start the engines and they would provide enough charge to the batteries to start the generator and then I could shut off the motors. It seems now that the engines do not charge the batteries any longer. I looked at the manual for the boat and found a wiring diagram but nothing in there showed that the house batteries were somehow connected to the alternator on the engines. Can someone there tell me what I should be checking for in this model boat. What is keeping the engines from keeping a charge on the house batteries? I have never had a problem with the starting batteries so I know that the alternator(s) are charging the starting batteries. Could it be that one alternator charges the house and the other the starting batteries? Any help would be gfreatly appreciated. Cheers |
#2
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First, consider installing a battery dedicated solely to starting your
genset. That will be your last line of defense should everything else aboard discharge. Your starting batteries may well charge from a different alternator than your house batteries, and if you have more than one alternator that is a rather likely scenario. It sounds like something is preventing your batteries from charging properly- (usually either the condition of the battery itself or a bad charging circuit), or is allowing the house bank to discharge when apparently unused. Check battery condition, alternator output, connections (very important), and wiring. If the wires are large enough and properly connected, if the battery is in good physical shape, and if the alternator is producing ample voltage it's most likely a short downstream from the battery. Do you have some fancy regulator, splitter, or combiner in the circuit? If so, check that as well. |
#3
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On 30 Mar 2005 15:43:07 -0800, "htown" wrote:
I am writing in regard to a 1991 360 Commodore. I had 3 of these in the early '90s, bought sold them off fore a huge profit. |
#4
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"HaKrause" bored us with ... On 30 Mar 2005 15:43:07 -0800, "htown" wrote: I am writing in regard to a 1991 360 Commodore. I had 3 of these in the early '90s, bought sold them off fore a huge profit. Who cares? CN |
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