Battery Maintenance

[Lazy Daze]

Are the batteries that have enjoyed these two+ years of mismanagement under my pitiful charger now, toast?

It's not necessarily due to the charger - it's hard to narrow it down to one particular variable. It COULD be that with the way you've been using the batteries and charging that 5-day's time is enough to recharge them (it probably is).

Find out how old they are and then charge fully and load test them. Otherwise it's just a guess.

 

[ttmott]

Are the batteries that have enjoyed these two+ years of mismanagement under my pitiful charger now, toast?

Possibly, If they have never allowed to be fully charged then could be damaged.
Your boat's battery banks are a combined engine starting and house; so, dual purpose GP27 or GP31 would be appropriate.
You probably need to step up to a new charger/power supply like the Pronautic 1240 or one of the Victron multi-bank chargers. I wouldn't go less than 40 advertised charge amps

 

[D Bell]

It will top off the batteries but take eternity. 5 amp would be maintenance only; not for bulk charging.

Went to the dock today and pulled the manual. Yes it is a small charger but it has the technology to transfer all the amps (15) to the needed bank (leg).

Where should I check for open grounds?

Did the previous owner mask the problem with new batteries and a band aid charger?

Would new batteries on a trickle these last two years before giving me problems?

 

[D Bell]

OK - The saga is coming to an end. Checked batteries and charger. Charger is fine, 3 of the 4 batteries failed. All are Interstate Group 27 Deep Cycle (600 CCA). 4 batteries set up on a 3 bank 15 amp smart charger (yes, I know its small, but usage is weekends only). Not knowing the in service date, batteries were on the maintenance list this year. Still cold in Atlanta so we have a few months to plan and shop around.

1 bank - Battery for the Generator - Good
1 bank - Battery for the Starboard Motor - Failed
1 bank - 2 batteries for the Port motor and house - Both failed

Starboard engine cranks but Emergency Start needed to get Port going (and raise the hatch).

What would you recommend?
Seeing AGM's reasonable in price - time to upgrade?
Do any retailers have annual sales?
What's your best and most cost effective source?

 

[Jaybeaux]

@D Bell Pre-pandemic, Sam's Club used to run a nice sale on AGMs. I would get Group 31's for $159 + core charge.

Search for agm battery - Sam's Club

www.samsclub.com

Jaybeaux

 

[D Bell]

Follow-up -

Changed out 3 of the 4 batteries yesterday. The generator battery was in great shape. 3 new Interstate 27dc's.

When snooping around, we found that we're only using 2 of the three banks from the charger. One bank goes to the generator and the second goes to the 2 port batteries wired in parallel. The starboard battery stands alone.

Any idea why someone would have wired things this way?

I think I'm seeing the third bank wiring wrapped in a ball hanging on the bilge wall.

 

[D Bell]

Sorry. Pulled the wiring diagram. Port and starboard banks are wired to the port and starboard switch solenoids under the Emergency Start solenoid. The generator requires its individual wire direct to the battery. Learning so much!