420/44 DB Owners Club

[bajturner]

I noticed my boat has a backup battery function for starting the genset. One of my thruster batteries is wired to the generator starter and connected via a standalone battery switch.

I was wondering if this was a standard factory fit or an afterthought

I don't have that on mine. Took a look through the wiring schematics and don't see that connection anywhere.

I do like the idea of a backup starting solution for the generator. Was thinking of buying a portable jump starter...

 

[bbwhitejr]

It’s possible. I believe the port battery bank that supplies the house also powers the genset starter so perhaps it was an upgrade

Neat idea and would be a fairly inexpensive upgrade.

Bennett

 

[bajturner]

Mine does not have that. Maybe a change for the 2008 model. I carry a pair of HD jumper cables....

Bennett

I have heavy duty jumper cables on board as well. Plan would be to use thruster battery (one, at 12V, not across the series at 24V!).

 

[bajturner]

Mine had an aroma when flushing as well but it was mostly confined to the guest cabin and even when not flushed that faint smell of sewage never really went away. I replaced charcoal filters, duckbills, bowl valve seals, everything I could think of but it was all to no avail. In the end, being an 11 yo boat, I decided to bite the bullet and change the hoses between both toilets and their respective holding tanks. Smells of roses now

I had the same done last year. We were starting to get a bit of smell in the compartment under the port side berth and under the cushion in front of the mid-stateroom closet.

Had all sanitation lines replaced with Shields 105 Poly X Sanitation Hose. It has made a noticeable difference.

 

[AEO]

I had the same done last year. We were starting to get a bit of smell in the compartment under the port side berth and under the cushion in front of the mid-stateroom closet.

Had all sanitation lines replaced with Shields 105 Poly X Sanitation Hose. It has made a noticeable difference.

From my experience with this issue, I would be replacing these hoses first off if there’s a smell in the cabin and no record of previous replacement.

 

[Alex F]

I don't have that on mine. Took a look through the wiring schematics and don't see that connection anywhere.

I do like the idea of a backup starting solution for the generator. Was thinking of buying a portable jump starter...

For some reason, SR dropped the ball on this one, IMO. On any vessel, dedicated battery for genny is a good idea. But, our boats don't have that. In fact, it puzzled me for a while why SR decided to wire genny to the house battery. That's counterproductive, as the house batteries are used a lot and if they get too low, you'll have trouble starting the genny. However, your recovery should be easy by using crossover switch to parallel the batteries. Having said that, theoretically, jumping the batteries should be your last resort, in the event if the crossover (emergency) switch fails to work.

 

[AEO]

For some reason, SR dropped the ball on this one, IMO. On any vessel, dedicated battery for genny is a good idea. But, our boats don't have that. In fact, it puzzled me for a while why SR decided to wire genny to the house battery. That's counterproductive, as the house batteries are used a lot and if they get too low, you'll have trouble starting the genny. However, your recovery should be easy by using crossover switch to parallel the batteries. Having said that, theoretically, jumping the batteries should be your last resort, in the event if the crossover (emergency) switch fails to work.

Alex, does the crossover switch affect the genny? And if so do you position someone on the bridge to hold the emergency switch while someone downstairs starts the genny?

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I was about to suggest that using the emergency battery connect would work just fine but would take two people to do it. I'm going to look at the wiring diagram and see if an emergency interconnect switch could not be added to the main power panel. In five years I have never had the need but it would be a good add.

 

[bajturner]

For some reason, SR dropped the ball on this one, IMO. On any vessel, dedicated battery for genny is a good idea. But, our boats don't have that. In fact, it puzzled me for a while why SR decided to wire genny to the house battery. That's counterproductive, as the house batteries are used a lot and if they get too low, you'll have trouble starting the genny. However, your recovery should be easy by using crossover switch to parallel the batteries. Having said that, theoretically, jumping the batteries should be your last resort, in the event if the crossover (emergency) switch fails to work.

...and you need two people to start the generator using the emergency crossover switch. One holding the momentary switch at the helm, and one starting the generator in the salon.

 

[bajturner]

I was about to suggest that using the emergency battery connect would work just fine but would take two people to do it. I'm going to look at the wiring diagram and see if an emergency interconnect switch could not be added to the main power panel. In five years I have never had the need but it would be a good add.

Ah...should have read all the new posts before making mine!

 

[Robf]

In my 390 MY, i added a separate battery for the generator and used the third charger bank that was unused for this circuit. It took some modification of the ground bar in the breaker box in order to add the circuit, but it was worth having the separate circuit. Prior to this, I had my generator not start after returning to the boat after spending an afternoon downtown. To me, having the refrigerators running off the same bank of batteries as the generator is poor design.Rob

 

[Alex F]

Alex, does the crossover switch affect the genny? And if so do you position someone on the bridge to hold the emergency switch while someone downstairs starts the genny?

You have two battery banks, 2 batteries on each bank. One for STBD and one for PORT (the house bank). Each bank is charged independently and have different service demands. When you engage the emergency switch, you simply connecting both banks together to work as "one". So, in the event if house bank (PORT bank) gets too low, by using the crossover, you're pretty much making the STBD bank carry the load to fire up your genny or the mains.

...and you need two people to start the generator using the emergency crossover switch. One holding the momentary switch at the helm, and one starting the generator in the salon.

Yep that's correct, but obviously not an issue, unless you're cruising solo for extended period.

In my 390 MY, i added a separate battery for the generator and used the third charger bank that was unused for this circuit. It took some modification of the ground bar in the breaker box in order to add the circuit, but it was worth having the separate circuit. Prior to this, I had my generator not start after returning to the boat after spending an afternoon downtown. To me, having the refrigerators running off the same bank of batteries as the generator is poor design.Rob

I posted this few years ago. One year, during a flotilla, I was faced with worst case scenario, where my PORT bank went too low and crossover failed (different but very interesting story). Quick recovery was to use one of the bow thruster batteries to get the genny back in business and recharge everything. However, that was a indication that the standard setup is not able to support how we used the house bank. I though of adding dedicated battery for genny, but then figured it'll be much simpler (wiring wise) to just add a 3rd battery to the house bank. Worked like a charm for the past 6-7 years.

 

[AEO]

I remember reading your story so I installed 2 x 660AH’s on the house side



And 2 x 300AH’s on the starboard.



I’m thinking that, along with the BT battery back up circuit, oughta do it ...

 

[AEO]

I was about to suggest that using the emergency battery connect would work just fine but would take two people to do it. I'm going to look at the wiring diagram and see if an emergency interconnect switch could not be added to the main power panel. In five years I have never had the need but it would be a good add.

What are your thoughts on the best way to test (or exercise) the emergency switch solenoid to ensure it’s working when you need it?

 

[ttmott]

What are your thoughts on the best way to test (or exercise) the emergency switch solenoid to ensure it’s working when you need it?

Easy test - turn off the port battery bank and turn on the starboard battery bank. Engage the emergency start switch then start the port engine. Once it starts release the emergency start switch then engine should shut down.

 

[AEO]

Easy test - turn off the port battery bank and turn on the starboard battery bank. Engage the emergency start switch then start the port engine. Once it starts release the emergency start switch then engine should shut down.

Thanks. I did consider that but wasn’t sure if it would damage the alternator or something else in the system. It didn’t cross my mind that it would shutdown more or less immediately the emerg switch was released.

 

[ttmott]

Thanks. I did consider that but wasn’t sure if it would damage the alternator or something else in the system. It didn’t cross my mind that it would shutdown more or less immediately the emerg switch was released.

Good point on the alternator; as it's at idle and essentially no load risk is low but to reduce risk to damage install a clip on load like a fan or other resistive load between the alternator B terminal and ground.
Or, better yet simply disconnect the alternator's field connection.

 

[bajturner]

Easy test - turn off the port battery bank and turn on the starboard battery bank. Engage the emergency start switch then start the port engine. Once it starts release the emergency start switch then engine should shut down.

Or run your port / house bank flat sometime like I did by accident! Crossover worked. Started both the generator and the port engine.

I now have 4 x GRP 31 FullRiver AGMs on the port and 2 of the same on starboard.

Still don't like the configuration.

 

[Alex F]

It's pretty easy to conduct such test on your next outing (stay on the hook for a nice evening or overnight). The idea is to use the house for quite a bit to draw some juice. Then, simply use the gauge in the control panel. BTW, I would not recommend running the batteries flat.

You can use this chain of events:
1. Once you're settled, take a note on the gauge, in the salon's control panel. With the switch being on the PORT side by default you should see good over 12v (~12.5 or so).
2. Click the battery test switch to STBD side, to make sure it has plenty of juice.
3. Start using "the house". If you still running on original light bulbs, they'll help you draw that juice quickly. Just lighting can take up good 15-20amp. Good stereo system with couple subs will greatly assist on drawing the juice. Don't be shy to crank it up.....LOL.
4. I would imagine that after few of hours the voltage should drop to 12 or so. Since you've added some extra power to yours, perhaps staying majority of the day or better yet and overnight might be necessary to see significant juice drop.
5. Once confirming that the gauge in the control panel shows 12v or less, have someone go on the bridge to engage the crossover. At that moment you should see that gouge jumping back to 12.5 or so.

Another, or additional reality test is try firing up the port side while it shows 12v or below. You should hear that it's cranking a bit slower than usual. Shut it down, if it fires up quick. Then, press the crossover switch and try crancking PORT side again. You should hear that it's cranking much faster by utilizing all the juice from fully charged STBD side assisting the PROT bank.

Also, speaking of gauges, once pressing crossover, the voltage on the dash (PORT tach) should show increase of juice even before cranking the engine.

 

[Robf]

Got a call from my neighbor today while I was at work telling me that a loud alarm was going off on my 2006 44. I checked the security camera, and sure enough a very loud, almost like a commercial smoke alarm or burglar alarm was going off. My neighbor went down to the boat and checked everything and nothing looked amiss. I had him turn off the battery switches and then back on, and the alarm quit and has not come back on. Any ideas what this alarm was and what triggered it? I am completely baffled!
Rob