Large Battery Draw problem

Rob, I am in no way an expert on this. But haven't you had issues with this bank since you got the boat? Was there not, and I'm going from old memory here, some sort of issue with some sort of power converter when you brought the boat over to Aussie land? Just trying to think of everything you've been through. Besides puking drunk chicks. I wish I could be there to help. I like challenges like this.

Good luck. I know you are in good hands with Ianbat and testlab.
 
Wow so much great info here. I have to start with this So many thanks to all of you that have put in effort here to help me with this! I really appreciate the help! So many thanks to all of you, you all have gone above and beyond.. You are great!

Quite a bit of info to digest here, I am reading it all a few times over so it sinks in

I have a feeling you guys may be right about the standing current usage from essential systems wired directly to the batteries. There is a good chance I do not have a battery draw but this is why my batteries are being drained.
To confirm this I have an email into an expert at sea ray who has helped me before with technical questions. I have asked him to please let me know what is the expected amount of battery draw when all systems are shutdown from the essential systems wired direct such as the systems monitor.

Another thing I need to explain here is how I got the number of 3 amp draw as I may be incorrect on that. I got the 3 amp draw number from my voltmeter in the salon on the 12 volt panel.
When you shut down the 24 volt systems a display that normally has no numbers on it comes up with a number of -3.4 to -4.3 it fluctuates. I assumed this was telling me what the draw in the 12 volt system is and obviously I may be very wrong in what that number is.
I also did a test a few months back that Alnav suggested if I remember right I removed the battery terminals and did something with the multimeter and got the same number that's showing on the volt meter. 3.3 or so amps. Hence why I assumed that reading is correct.
Telling you guys in case I am doing something entirely wrong here.

Testlab and Ian I can not tell you guys how much I appreciate the offer of help and you both being willing to come here and help me. If it comes to that you must tell me your favorite beers and foods so I can fill the boat with it.
At this point this is what I think is the best call and please let me know if you have other ideas.
Since it is a substantial effort on both of your parts to trek all the way here. I was thinking lets wait a day or so before making any plans and see what sea ray says if the draw I have on the batteries is a normal systems draw or not. Because if that is the case there is nothing to fix or find in that department. I just need to replace the batteries and get a solar or wind system to keep the new ones healthy. I would feel terrible to drag you both here for nothing ! Now once I get the boat going just for the thought I would love to take you both out one day for some fun :) there is no way I can take these batteries out alone but I will not ask you guys help in the incredibly fun job of lugging around 8 400 lb batteries! I have a couple of cousins that are 20 or so and think they are super tough ****! Let em prove it by helping me lift this stuff around hahha
What do you guys think?

Again so many thanks for all of this! I have a feeling after reading it all that my problems are simply the fact the batteries do not get a regular charge and this boat is not designed to sit around for weeks at end disconnected from power like suggested! We will know soon when sea ray gets back to me. They usually are pretty quick.
 
Sdarc. Yes I have had problems with the batteries before they have gone bad once before about a year ago.

I also had problems with the atlas power converter that converts any voltage anywhere in the world to the boats voltage of 110. But that is all solved and fixed and its independant of the battery system. It's only in use when plugged into shore power.

The first set of batteries that went bad were old so I just assumed that was why.

We will know soon once sea ray gets back to me what's the story.

Hey thanks for your input my friend :)
 
Testlab: was about to do the tests you described but after reading again remembered that Pete ruled out the alternator being the problem. So will wait on that until after I hear back from sea ray about it all.
 
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Hi Rob, just reminding you on the offer of the batteries, also I can do same with solar panels


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I had look over the diagram Pete posted (thanks Pete) and just as he says there are a number of line side loads. I also downloaded the owners manual for your boat and read some of the systems info. I must admit these are good manuals, very informative. I saw the boat is fitted with cross feeding isolators from new so as previously mentioned unless the diodes are faulty it won't be the alternators, although I haven't ruled it out until I see how the sense circuit is configured.

I was surprised to see a sump pump on the line side. Is this a shower sump pump? I would be checking it as 3A would be around the current consumption for one of these. It may be running constantly and with a jammed or completely ruined impellor it may be very quiet. However these line side loads don't seem to pass through the metering shunt so it won't show as a draw on the panel meters.

Without lots of indicators lit up and other systems functioning I doubt the system monitor could draw that much and the stereo memory takes only milliamperes.

I noted in the manual it says there are three batteries per side wired so they form 24V from 2 in series and 12V from 2 in parallel. I may need to draw this out so it makes sense to others but I will say it is absolutely critical all the batteries are the same size and the same condition. You can't have mismatched batteries and it is an unforgiving arrangement if you do.
 
Sorry for taking two days to reply. Currently involved in something very complex which has taken every single minute of my time and ounce of my energy.

Ian: I remember and many thanks for the offer and reminder. I will take you up on it as soon as I can. As of this moment I can't move on that for financial reasons but am expecting for this to change soonish .. So many thanks Ian your the best!

Test lab : you are awesome thanks so much for going to the trouble and taking the time to do this! I have the wiring diagrams but can't say I understand them at all. Is there a particular diagram that would help? Should I photograph all the wiring diagrams in the back of the owners manual and post them here?

My battery configuration is as follows.
2 large n200 batteries in series to make 24 v on the port side. They are connected to a vanner battery equalizer. They are both the exact same size and bought at the exact same time around a year ago. These batteries are what run my 12 volt systems, lights, water pumps I believe. Start the port engines.
A midships in the engine room is two more n200 batteries connected the same way. They run the bow thruster. These batteries are still good. No problems there so far. Knock on wood!

On the starboard side is a mess at present. Again it was 2 n200 batteries connected the same way with a vanner battery equalizer. One of these went bad and was boiling over. Because of my current financial situation I could not get another of those so put a smaller capacity battery in that bank temporarily until I can fix all of this. As far as I know those batteries are used to start the starboard engines, hydraulic lift, shore power cable motor. That bank is in a very far from ideal situation.

I have ruled out the sump pump you are talking about. Showers and sinks all run into this sump it's under the master bedroom. It's actually a pretty noisy pump and I have checked several times to make sure it is not running continuesly or when it should not be.

Some of the wiring configuration on this boat may be different than the standard due to the atlas power converter being wired in.

No news back from sea ray yet what the standing draw from essential systems should be.

I am just on hold with everything until I can afford the purchase of four of these batteries. At over 300 dollars a piece i can't do it at the moment.

For the first time since I have had this boat I honestly wish I did not have it lately! Never thought I would say that but with my current situation I just can't keep up on her how I should and the boat is suffering as a result! So much to do and all so expensive that saying is starting to come true about the two happiest days of a boaters life the day you buy it then the day you sell it lol the way I feel at present, sooner she sells the better sadly.
 
Hi Rob,

Ok, reading that post, the starboard side with the mismatched batteries would be my priority.

There is 2 issues,
1) mismatched batteries
2) voltage equalizer, I personally do not like them, ok I u dear stand plenty of reputable companies manufacture them, etc etc, but with mismatched batteries I think that is where most of your issue probably is.

Understanding your personal financial issues at present, I would be staring with sorting out those 2 batteries as a priority then seeing where we are at from there.


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mistercomputerman said:
Is there some reason that we don't move the thruster batteries to the starboard side and see what happens?
Click to expand...

Rob there is probably no reason not to try that.

The starboard battery bank with 2 good batteries I think you will find will fix your issues.

The issue on the starboard is compounded by the equalizer.

Basically when you have a 24V battery bank there are 2 ways to pull 12V out.
1) A 24-12V reducer, this is connected to 24V and supplys 12V out, so basically it is puuling equal load from both batteries.
2) Connect 12V to one battery, that battery as such is then always beeing drained. The work around is to fit an equalizer. This is then momitoring both batteries and directing flow from one battery to the other to maintain equal voltages in bothe batteries.

Both systems work, and work well, there are pros and cons on both.

So what is happening in your case is one battery is dead, so all the charge capacity from your good battery is being directed to the faulty battery. And you will never get those 2 batteries in the condition they are now in to full charge.
 
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