Battery setup 2007 300 Sundancer...

[cflemingva]

I apologize in advance if this has been answered however, I didn't see it cleary stated. I have a couple questions...

1 - I have four batteries, bank 1(2) and bank 2(2). Is there anything that exists that shows which bank powers what gear?

2 - My current setup has 4 of the same batteries, no deep cycle. Can I use all deep cycle for longer water time without the generator? or, is there on bank that could be deep cycle?

3 - Speaking of Generator, how long can I run on battery alone without firing up the genny(lets just say the batteries are new and the standard things are running, stereo, fridge, water...

4 - How do I know I'm getting close on battery usage...prior to not being able to start the engines

Thanks...

 

[Ididntdoit]

I apologize in advance if this has been answered however, I didn't see it cleary stated. I have a couple questions...

1 - I have four batteries, bank 1(2) and bank 2(2). Is there anything that exists that shows which bank powers what gear?

2 - My current setup has 4 of the same batteries, no deep cycle. Can I use all deep cycle for longer water time without the generator? or, is there on bank that could be deep cycle?

3 - Speaking of Generator, how long can I run on battery alone without firing up the genny(lets just say the batteries are new and the standard things are running, stereo, fridge, water...

4 - How do I know I'm getting close on battery usage...prior to not being able to start the engines

Thanks...

I do not have a gen but I will tell you how mine is set up....

My starbord bank consists of one starting battery - it starts the starbord motor and can be "jumped over" via the emergency bridge switch next to the other ignition switches on the helm

The port bank consists of 2 deep cycle batteries in parallel - these start the port engine and are the house bank

I can get two nights/days of normal use when on the hook (running 1 fridge, minimal use of lights, stereo, water pump, head, etc

After that voltage will drop off - you should have a DC meter on the panel

I'm sure someone will chime in but I think the genny battery is isolated too

 

[Stray Cat]

I changed my 4 batteries last summer to all wet cell deep cycle group 27 (I think was the size). To obtain an even rate of charge from your onboard charger, it is best if they are all the same battery type and size. I never had a problem cranking an engine with the deep cycle batteries...

Check the wiring schematic in your owners manual if you have it. It doesn't specifically tell you which battery powers what, however if you follow the schematic, you will be able to tell what battery is powering each circuit.

I believe on my boat it is like ididntdoit's, the two port batteries are wired in parallel. Those two serve as the house circuit, and crank one of the engines. The front starboard battery cranks an engine, and the rear starboard battery is dedicated to the generator.

The best way to tell if your house batteries are holding their juice is to look at the meter on the DC circuit of your main power panel. If it drops below 11.5 VDC, you're likely going to need to use your E Start button to get one of the engines started.

I don't know if it will make much difference on battery life, but I was planning to rotate the batteries each year...ie move the port pair to the stbd side.

 

[MeEscape]

Stray Cat has the setup. I have gone two days on the hook, two refers and no regard to lights at night and have been able to crank both engines. At the time I had a year on the batteries.

 

[cflemingva]

Man, I love this site...

Thanks for the inputs.

 

[ZZ13]

I know I am late to this thread but after reading it I went and researched my '04 300DA (which has a generator) and found the following:

The two Port batteries are wired in parallel to form the "Port Bank". The two starboard batteries are wired in parallel to form the "Starboard Bank". Posts above indicate that one starboard battery is for the genny and the other starboard battery is for the engine, but in my case they are in parallel, not separate. The "Port Bank" is the left battery switch as you face the distribution panel and the "Starboard Bank" is the right switch. Here is how they distribute the 12V to my 300DA:

Port Bank: Port engine, cockpit fridge, DC switch panel in cabin ("house" stuff), emergency bilge sump pump, emergency cabin sump pump, shower sump pump, cockpit speaker amp, subwoofer speaker amp (premium sound system has two amps)

Starboard Bank: Starboard engine, generator, forward and aft EIMs (includes everything on the helm switchpanel), VHF/Radar/Chartplotter components (display, radar antenna, gps antenna, VHF radio), bilge pump

In addition, the following things can't be turned off by the battery switches. They are direct wired to the batteries: All 4 sump pumps, mercathode, system monitor (not sure what that is), radio memory

 

[JimFromMD]

I know I am late to this thread but after reading it I went and researched my '04 300DA (which has a generator) and found the following:

The two Port batteries are wired in parallel to form the "Port Bank". The two starboard batteries are wired in parallel to form the "Starboard Bank". Posts above indicate that one starboard battery is for the genny and the other starboard battery is for the engine, but in my case they are in parallel, not separate. The "Port Bank" is the left battery switch as you face the distribution panel and the "Starboard Bank" is the right switch. Here is how they distribute the 12V to my 300DA:

Port Bank: Port engine, cockpit fridge, DC switch panel in cabin ("house" stuff), emergency bilge sump pump, emergency cabin sump pump, shower sump pump, cockpit speaker amp, subwoofer speaker amp (premium sound system has two amps)

Starboard Bank: Starboard engine, generator, forward and aft EIMs (includes everything on the helm switchpanel), VHF/Radar/Chartplotter components (display, radar antenna, gps antenna, VHF radio), bilge pump

In addition, the following things can't be turned off by the battery switches. They are direct wired to the batteries: All 4 sump pumps, mercathode, system monitor (not sure what that is), radio memory

+1. My configuration matches bills. 4 batteries wired in two banks. Each bank of two batteries wired in parallel. No separate battery for generator.

I upgraded my group 27 led acids to group 31 AGM batteries from advanced auto mid last season and have been really happy so far. Batteries had a better warranty than blue top and die hard and were cheaper especially if you watch for advanced auto coupons. Haven't had them that long yet to speak to battery longevity or warranty honoring, but the group 31s can really go a while without need a top off on the hook (though I usually run the generator for a little while anyway on the hook to keep the genny carb clean, and run the ac and charger to load her down a bit).

-James

 

[ZZ13]

+1. My configuration matches bills. 4 batteries wired in two banks. Each bank of two batteries wired in parallel. No separate battery for generator.

I upgraded my group 27 led acids to group 31 AGM batteries from advanced auto mid last season and have been really happy so far. Batteries had a better warranty than blue top and die hard and were cheaper especially if you watch for advanced auto coupons. Haven't had them that long yet to speak to battery longevity or warranty honoring, but the group 31s can really go a while without need a top off on the hook (though I usually run the generator for a little while anyway on the hook to keep the genny carb clean, and run the ac and charger to load her down a bit).

-James

Funny you should bring that up. My manual says to use Group 31. Yet my Sea Ray dealer put in group 27 for the previous owner about 4 years ago (Interstate - still going strong with no perceived degradation yet). I have 3 dockmates with same era 300DA and they also have Group 27 installed (all wet cell). Is there a big difference between the price of 27 and 31s such that the price to value tradeoff drove them all to put in 27s?

 

[300DA]

ZZ13 Thank you, I have a 87 300 DA and could't find any configuration on what operated what till now. I couldn't figure out what way my battery's should go and what was being on what battery. This is a easy way of connecting equipment on battery's. I got this used from a private seller.

 

[Bt Doctur]

What works on what battery is up to you to determine. Personally I would isolate my engine starting battery`s. One dedicated battery for each engine and generator.
For house batteries you might use 6V cart batteries or diesel batteries .The Theory is that you can kill the house batteries and never worry about a dead engine battery or generator battery.Use battery switches 1,both,2 for each engine and a on-off for the generator.
This way you can connect all the batteries to start a motor or engine if necessary

 

[mobocracy]

What works on what battery is up to you to determine. Personally I would isolate my engine starting battery`s. One dedicated battery for each engine and generator.
For house batteries you might use 6V cart batteries or diesel batteries .The Theory is that you can kill the house batteries and never worry about a dead engine battery or generator battery.Use battery switches 1,both,2 for each engine and a on-off for the generator.
This way you can connect all the batteries to start a motor or engine if necessary

How easy is it to break apart the house functions from the rest of the port side DC power? I think a single dedicated battery for each engine (with one possibly shared by the generator) and dedicated house batteries makes sense, but it doesn't look like at least my 2007 310 DA would convert to that kind of setup without a fair amount of additional wiring. Off the top of my head additional complication would seem to include alternator charging (smart battery isolator between start and house battery?) and the AC shore/gen power charging, although in theory the latter should already have dual outputs for the existing port/starboard configuration.