1st weekend on the hook questions

[Youngin19]

This will be our first weekend ever staying out on the hook. We are meeting up with a bunch of friends and tying up in the creek for the weekend. A few of the boats will have a generator on board and some wont, we are one of the ones that do not have a generator. For those of you who go out without a generator, what do you guys leave turned on while out on the hook? How often do you have to restart the boat to charge the batteries?

Anything I should think to take with us since we dont have a generator? Any hints or tricks you guys use while out?

Thank you in advance for any and all help!

 

[Alibuma]

Understanding that running extension cords over open water is a safety concern, if you're rafted together, you may be able to find a safe way to plug your battery charger into one of the boats running a generator to help keep your batteries charged.

 

[skolbe]

Are your batteries in decent shape? Since you only have the 1 fridge - you should be able to start the boat every 4 to 6 hours and keep the batteries topped off. You should be able to go all night, if you keep things from draining the batteries. Are you planning on rafting overnight tied to boats with generators running? I personally would not raft overnight tied to boats with generators running.

If your batteries are weak, then you may only get a few hours before they are drained. You do have the emergency start if you do drain the batteries. But keep in mind each time you drain the batteries - they are weaker.

 

[Swimparent]

When do you use your generator? My husband has gotten so spooked that even though our "new-to-us" boat has one, I doubt we well ever use it. I would think it needs to be used to at least makes sure it still works.

 

[Quint4]

Keep your battery switch set to a position that does not draw from all batteries at once...that way you always have a fresh starting battery regardless.

 

[Youngin19]

Are your batteries in decent shape? Since you only have the 1 fridge - you should be able to start the boat every 4 to 6 hours and keep the batteries topped off. You should be able to go all night, if you keep things from draining the batteries. Are you planning on rafting overnight tied to boats with generators running? I personally would not raft overnight tied to boats with generators running.

If your batteries are weak, then you may only get a few hours before they are drained. You do have the emergency start if you do drain the batteries. But keep in mind each time you drain the batteries - they are weaker.

The batteries are in great shape, they are almost new. We won't be tied up to anybody using their generator at night, they may just use it some during the day. I am thinking worst case we will have the refrigerator and the radio on and will have to turn the head and water pump on from time to time. Excuse my ignorance but is the emergency start an automatic thing or is it something different that I have to do?

Keep your battery switch set to a position that does not draw from all batteries at once...that way you always have a fresh starting battery regardless.

Great idea, didn't think of that! This will ease my mind a lot thanks!

 

[trit21]

When do you use your generator? My husband has gotten so spooked that even though our "new-to-us" boat has one, I doubt we well ever use it. I would think it needs to be used to at least makes sure it still works.

Alot of people are spooked about running generators but if you have the correct safety equipment they can be used. We use our generator all the time. When we are getting ready to leave the dock, we fire it up, run it the entire time we are away from the dock or shore power running AC, frig, ice maker etc. That is what a generator is for, power on your boat. Make sure you CO monitor is working, buy a couple of battery operated ones, do your maintenance and make sure you have no leaks in the exhaust and no gas leaks, make sure all gas supply lines are no dry rotted, etc. Doing this deter problems with your generator and for that matter any other engine component you have. Maintenance is the key to operating anything safely and it amazes me how little maintenance people do on their boats like looking at fuel lines for cracks.

 

[Tonka Boater]

Make sure you have working CO monitors even though you don't have a generator. CO from other the boats' generators can seep into your cabin and you will never know it without a monitor.

 

[Sundancer]

There are tricks for reducing power useage. You can shut the fridge off at night and power it back on in the morning. If it's not opened, the temp drop will be minimal. Limit the use of the lights and radio. You could always use a cooler for non perishable items like drinks. That will help substantially and you might be able to eliminate the fridge all together.

If your friends are anchored in the same area, maybe they'll let you raft alongside while they are running their generator for a charge session? If you do this, make SURE you have CO detectors in the boat! My CO detectors go off, not while using the generator but when running the main engines when the wind is just right! That was a real eye opener. I've never had it go off with the generator, but it could! Twin engines put out way more exhaust than a gennie and I run the mains quite often. Running the generator is less of a concern. We only run it for an hour or so to charge batteries or heat water. We don't have a/c so it never runs at night. I run mine under load to make sure it works when I need it and to exercise it as well! That's what they're for!

 

[JVM225]

I would put the switch in a position that selects only one of the batteries, and use a cooler instead of the fridge. Be sensible with the lights, and you won't have any problems at all.
You could probably put a few iceblocks in the fridge and use it as a secondary cooler for non perishable items if you need the extra space. Use it that way, but don't turn it on. If you get it nice and cold before you leave the dock and while you are on your way, then put the ice in to it, you should be fine with things like fruit, snacks, bottled water or soft drinks, etc..
Start the motor in the morning to heat up the hot water for a shower, and recharge the battery you were running the house lights/fresh water pumps/etc. throughout the night.

 

[Firerooster]

All kinds of great advice here. If I may add just something else. We do not have a genny. But we stay on our boat all the time. Sometimes for the whole weekend. Something I have done to reduce power consumtion is added LED lighting. Really lights up the boat and uses almost no power at all.

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

We let a friend plug his boat into ours with the shorecord adapter while running the generator all the time. I doubt it has much if any effect on gas consumption and he only let's his batteries top off or to run their microwave for a quick meal. I get that paid back in cold ones.

 

[Alex F]

As you can see there’re several things have to be considered. I guess, we can break them down to the following categories:

• SAFETY

1.1 CO detectors in working order. I strongly advise to have more than one. The built-in detectors don’t always work when you need them while chip version with 9v will.
1.2 I personally would avoid rafting with people who run generators (specially gas) at night. The biggest problem is that the raft with multiple anchors doest swing with the wind. So, if the wind shifts 180degrees you’ll be sucking all of the fumes form the generator(s) all night long. If the other boats insist on running gennies at night just separate and stay near by.
1.3 If you happen to stay on the hook alone, for whatever reason, lay out proper scope (5:1-7:1, the more the better), have good and dependable anchor and stay clear from all other boats around you allowing room to swing (watch for that raft that doesn’t swing).
1.4 Don’t forget to keep your anchor light on.

• Power Consumption

2.1 I’m not sure how many batteries you have (I’m guessing at least two), but when I had my 240DA with 2 bats. I always flipped the switch to #1 from both. This way I know that if anything I’ll be starting of with fully charged #2.
2.2 Keep an eye on the battery charge level. If you not sure that it’ll hold fine thru the night run the engine for 20min or so (flip the switch to both) to charge before going to bed (flip back to #1 when engine is off).
2.3 You had good tip already, so just a quick note that fridges don’t take a lot of power, so running them at night is no big deal for the batteries to handle. If you don’t want to shut it off, then lower the setting (let’s say from 4 to 3, as an example)

• Provisions

3.1 I’m sure everyone stacks their boats well, but just keep in mind that you’ll be out there for extended period of time, so have food and most importantly plenty of drinking water.

Don’t be too shy to ask questions to boaters in the group if you’re not sure about something, especially on picking the right calm spot to stay over night. Don’t worry too much it’ll be fun and you’ll love it. Just be well prepared with what’s required to do it safely.

 

[firecadet613]

We let a friend plug his boat into ours with the shorecord adapter while running the generator all the time. I doubt it has much if any effect on gas consumption and he only let's his batteries top off or to run their microwave for a quick meal. I get that paid back in cold ones.

I've been meaning to ask you how you do this. Does he just plug into a 110V outlet in your cabin, and then the shorepower cord into his shorepower inlet? I've got a friend who might be buying some power off me...

 

[Sundancer]

I've been meaning to ask you how you do this. Does he just plug into a 110V outlet in your cabin, and then the shorepower cord into his shorepower inlet? I've got a friend who might be buying some power off me...

We need a watt to beer ratio for expense purposes!!:grin:

 

[wvsundancer]

everyone has given great advice with different opinions. I have rafted off on 240DA,260DA and 280DA.. I have used my fridge all weekend long with no problems. When you go to bed turn off everything you don't need. WE turn our toilet on and off during the night. Check the water levels in your batteries !!!

 

[Jack380AC]

.... Excuse my ignorance but is the emergency start an automatic thing or is it something different that I have to do?

Most boats have an emergency start switch. Sometimes called a battery crossover switch. It is a manual toggle switch that temporarily connects all batteries in hopes that that will give you enough juice to start an engine. It usually works as it is not common for all your batteries to go bad at once. It is a good idea to know where your switch is and how to use it.

 

[billnpat]

Keep your battery switch set to a position that does not draw from all batteries at once...that way you always have a fresh starting battery regardless.

By battery switch....you mean the 2 main switches?? keep only one switch on??? :huh:

 

[Alex F]

By battery switch....you mean the 2 main switches?? keep only one switch on??? :huh:

Different boats have different configuration. For example, my 240DA had only two batteries so it had only 1 switch with 4 positions 1/2/both/OFF. Therefore, in this case I used BOTH when running the boat or docked and plugged in. I would use #1 anythime I'm on the hook this would keep #2 charged and serve as plan B if my #1 dies before I realize pwoer lose and charge it.

On my 320DA (I guess like yours) I have 4 batteries with 2 swithes (1 for each side). SR did a "strange" job wiring them, b/c I have to keep them ALL ON to have everything working. In the way it might be a good idea b/c the load is distributed among different batteries, but I would prefer if they leave at least on as a reserve. However, I haven't had any issues, so I guess whatever I do is the right approach.

 

[billnpat]

QUOTE:

On my 320DA (I guess like yours) I have 4 batteries with 2 swithes (1 for each side). SR did a "strange" job wiring them, b/c I have to keep them ALL ON to have everything working. In the way it might be a good idea b/c the load is distributed among different batteries, but I would prefer if they leave at least on as a reserve. However, I haven't had any issues, so I guess whatever I do is the right approach.

While away from the boat and connected to shore power with the A/C charge switch on the on position in the cabin switch panel, do you get a better charge to the batterys with the 2 main battery switches off?????...
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