Battery Questions

[jcwads]

Hi All

Another novice question, probably my 100th so far...

On starting my T40 last week the Port engine started fine, but the Starboard engine was not starting so flat battery I assume. Used the switch on the dash to give juice from the port battery to starboard and it fired up.

Kept an eye on it for the day and it was still slow to start up even after using the boat all day. I dont know the set up yet on my T40 but I am assuming that the Starboard battery is potentially providing the power for the domestics?

The boat was on shore power and has a battery charger. I had left my kitchen fridge on, but would have thought the charger would take care of not draining the batteries..

So I am now left with the question of whether the batteries are knackered or it is something else. Such as a connection issue or the alternator not doing its thing.

The battery charger was fitted new in 2016 from looking at the history. Also the batteries were new in 2016. They look expensive so would it be normal for them to pack up in less than 2 years? Pic attached.



Any thoughts, ideas or advice welcome! The genset is also dead to the world. It was working when I did the sea trial and survey, but no power at all so not sure if that is related?

Cheers


Jonathan

 

[Portofino]

You might want to read this
Suspect they are not holding charge - classic symptoms
Mine are 180aH CCA 1150; in pairs
One bank starter other “ domestic “ ( I paid €180 each ) so not too bad
You connects obviously need checking 1st

Not sure how exactly how your set up is connected .

There’s a seperate charger for the geny ,you can nip into Halfords and buy a small charger / batt conditioner for the tiny batt
And find a 240 v source to wire it up to .

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?494761-Wiring-Sanity-Check-2-Engines-3-Battery-Banks

 

[rafiki_]

Hi All

Another novice question, probably my 100th so far...

On starting my T40 last week the Port engine started fine, but the Starboard engine was not starting so flat battery I assume. Used the switch on the dash to give juice from the port battery to starboard and it fired up.

Kept an eye on it for the day and it was still slow to start up even after using the boat all day. I dont know the set up yet on my T40 but I am assuming that the Starboard battery is potentially providing the power for the domestics?

The boat was on shore power and has a battery charger. I had left my kitchen fridge on, but would have thought the charger would take care of not draining the batteries..

So I am now left with the question of whether the batteries are knackered or it is something else. Such as a connection issue or the alternator not doing its thing.

The battery charger was fitted new in 2016 from looking at the history. Also the batteries were new in 2016. They look expensive so would it be normal for them to pack up in less than 2 years? Pic attached.

View attachment 69073

Any thoughts, ideas or advice welcome! The genset is also dead to the world. It was working when I did the sea trial and survey, but no power at all so not sure if that is related?

Cheers


Jonathan

Jonathan, are you sure that the charger was on when you left the boat? I wrecked a battery once by inadvertently leaving the fridge on, but the chargers off.

Another point, I would be surprised if the stbd battery runs the domestics and the engine starter? Have a look in your manual to see how the batteries are set up and charged. On a boat your size, it is normal to separate the starters from domestics.

 

[jcwads]

Jonathan, are you sure that the charger was on when you left the boat? I wrecked a battery once by inadvertently leaving the fridge on, but the chargers off.

Another point, I would be surprised if the stbd battery runs the domestics and the engine starter? Have a look in your manual to see how the batteries are set up and charged. On a boat your size, it is normal to separate the starters from domestics.

Yes charger is running. Will look into the setup. Could do with a response from Mr Targa 40 himself JTB!!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

T40 battery architecture is 3 batteries which should be 1no starter, 2no leisure. The 1no starter is a dedicated starter battery (can't remember if it is port or stbd off the top of my head) which is not connected to charger and is only charged by alternator. 2no batts are the starter for the other side and also run domestics. These are connected to the charger.

Sounds like your batteries are knackered. A quick google suggests those exide batteries fitted a year ago are starter batteries, not leisure batteries. But as others have said, first thing to check is connections.

My engine battery has been good in my ownership of the boat. Domestics I replace every three years.

 

[Bouba]

Testing batteries can be difficult, a multimeter can tell you you have a good charge and nowadays a hydrometer is next to useless as there are very few unsealed wet batteries.
But this video will show you the latest technology which tests the cold cranking amps, because when that drops an otherwise healthy looking battery is useless.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi8sUE9XCgA
It’s a bit long but stick with it.
In the video he is using a Solar 7. I bought a Solar 9 because it tests the alternator as well, I got it on Amazon, $90 delivered, it arrived quick.
It’s changed the way I look at starting batteries

 

[jcwads]

T40 battery architecture is 3 batteries which should be 1no starter, 2no leisure. The 1no starter is a dedicated starter battery (can't remember if it is port or stbd off the top of my head) which is not connected to charger and is only charged by alternator. 2no batts are the starter for the other side and also run domestics. These are connected to the charger.

Sounds like your batteries are knackered. A quick google suggests those exide batteries fitted a year ago are starter batteries, not leisure batteries. But as others have said, first thing to check is connections.

My engine battery has been good in my ownership of the boat. Domestics I replace every three years.

:encouragement:

 

[volvopaul]

Hi All

Another novice question, probably my 100th so far...

On starting my T40 last week the Port engine started fine, but the Starboard engine was not starting so flat battery I assume. Used the switch on the dash to give juice from the port battery to starboard and it fired up.

Kept an eye on it for the day and it was still slow to start up even after using the boat all day. I dont know the set up yet on my T40 but I am assuming that the Starboard battery is potentially providing the power for the domestics?

The boat was on shore power and has a battery charger. I had left my kitchen fridge on, but would have thought the charger would take care of not draining the batteries..

So I am now left with the question of whether the batteries are knackered or it is something else. Such as a connection issue or the alternator not doing its thing.

The battery charger was fitted new in 2016 from looking at the history. Also the batteries were new in 2016. They look expensive so would it be normal for them to pack up in less than 2 years? Pic attached.

View attachment 69073

Any thoughts, ideas or advice welcome! The genset is also dead to the world. It was working when I did the sea trial and survey, but no power at all so not sure if that is related?

Cheers


Jonathan

The charger should have kept up with the demand from the fridge, sounds like you need to make a list for my next visit then we can go through everything.