Leisure Battery Capacity. Advice.

[PaulRainbow]

Called in local company to check the charging system
PSI Marine Ltd – Marine Electronics & Jetboards

The conclusion was that the charging system...... in their honest opinion , was all functioning . Just.
Suggested that something a bit less Stone Age and more energy efficient would improve matters considerably regards charging.

The figures you quoted in the other thread would suggest the charging system is not up to the job.

However, prior to any charge system upgrade it was mutually agreed that the batteries really should be replaced first.

I disagree. If you continue with the very poor (if that) charging that you reported, all you will do is kill another set of batteries, very quickly.

 

[Bouba]

Talk about frigging topical….just came back from the boat…house battery flat as a pancake…it’s a flooded battery
Searched everywhere for the voltage leak….the lazaret light was left on
I am now recharging it and praying for the best

 

[PaulRainbow]

Talk about frigging topical….just came back from the boat…house battery flat as a pancake…it’s a flooded battery
Searched everywhere for the voltage leak….the lazaret light was left on
I am now recharging it and praying for the best

Only one domestic battery ? I thought Swift Trawlers had 2 ?

Anyway, I think you should fit at least 560ah of Lithium batteries and 2000w of solar, you can leave the light on then,

 

[Bouba]

Only one domestic battery ? I thought Swift Trawlers had 2 ?

Anyway, I think you should fit at least 560ah of Lithium batteries and 2000w of solar, you can leave the light on then,

The second battery was a (very expensive) option

 

[Bouba]

Only one domestic battery ? I thought Swift Trawlers had 2 ?

Anyway, I think you should fit at least 560ah of Lithium batteries and 2000w of solar, you can leave the light on then,

I have a solar panel of 100w which I use for the battery on the boat deck to power the winches
Because I have a generator (and I’m not afraid to use it) the state of my batteries isn’t as critical and can usually extend the period in between changing them. I just have to assess how bad my latest faux pas is

 

[PaulRainbow]

The second battery was a (very expensive) option

Blimey, big boat for only one battery.

 

[Bouba]

Blimey, big boat for only one battery.

No...it’s only 34 feet....but in total I have nine batteries all doing various jobs

 

[gaylord694]

I see another Rabbit hole.

I see people liking the sound of there own voice..... ....I really didn't know there were individuals who knew everything about everything... I must of gone to the wrong school

 

[Neeves]

I see people liking the sound of there own voice..... ....I really didn't know there were individuals who knew everything about everything... I must of gone to the wrong school

In the real world grandfathers know 'everything' about 'everything', provided 'everything' is limited to what grandchildren know.

This is or was reinforced when I started writing for printed media. One editor told me to write for a 12 year old readership. I thought this a bit insulting of the readers - but, after about 20 years of contributing to sailing magazines, is about right. Many readers know their stuff but you need to write for everyone, which means simplicity and repetition - leading to 'grandfather's' eyes glazing over.

Jonathan

 

[Neeves]

I'm no expert, have not read every post and I might be repeating what has been posted.

But a 2 hour motoring trip will never 'fill' a LA battery. Unless the engines are run for a considerable longer time than 2 hours, like 6-8 hours the batteries will never be filled. The alternators ability to produce 80 amps each is a bit of a red herring - when the batteries are at about 90% full the alternators will input only a few amps and running the engines will simply use fuel to no great positive effect. If the batteries are recharged by a battery charger, from shore power, or a solar panel is introduced, during the period the MoBo is either at its weekend destination or its home berth the batteries will then have a full charge. Older electrical systems are never perfect and 'leakage' will result in a further reduction in actual battery capacity.

If the weekend end usage is calculated to reduce the theoretical maximum capacity by approximately 50% then the batteries will always be less than 50% - before the batteries are, part, re-charged by the alternators.

When the vessel is in its home berth are all systems shut down? To me this seems unlikely. The vessel is described as an old MoBo - to me this would demand bilge pumps left live - they don't use much power (unless the leaks are severe) but their usage will add up (obviously). Is an inverter left 'on' - it will consume, about, 0.5 amps - if left 'on' even if it is not used. Is there a security system.....?

To buy new batteries without further attention to the charging and a change of practice seems to be a complete waste of money.

Jonathan

 

[gaylord694]

In the real world grandfathers know 'everything' about 'everything', provided 'everything' is limited to what grandchildren know.

This is or was reinforced when I started writing for printed media. One editor told me to write for a 12 year old readership. I thought this a bit insulting of the readers - but, after about 20 years of contributing to sailing magazines, is about right. Many readers know their stuff but you need to write for everyone, which means simplicity and repetition - leading to 'grandfather's' eyes glazing over.

Jonathan

Well your not far wrong there as most of the top contributors are like children they just want to be heard and noticed .... . My view on them is that " Children should be seen but not heard"............... .. ...Now wouldn't that be lovely

 

[Bouba]

The other thing (probably already been mentioned) is if you have a smart charger in your garage....they often have a ‘recovery’ mode....not saying they work...but everything is worth a shot

 

[PaulRainbow]

Well your not far wrong there as most of the top contributors are like children they just want to be heard and noticed .... . My view on them is that " Children should be seen but not heard"............... .. ...Now wouldn't that be lovely

At least some people are trying to help the OP, what have you contributed to the thread ?

Oh, that will be nothing at all.

 

[oldgit]

A coup de grâce" on this thread ?

Both the battery banks (Start and Leisure ) have independant simple LED voltage alert devices fitted.
LED Green and 3 flashes means fully charged, right down to LED Red and a single flash means battery volts low and then finally a buzzer for an audio warning that something urgently needs doing.

Now, plus a recently installed battery condition monitor to Leisure bank only.

Boat on shore power over the last week. Master switches OFF, only possible drain is if any bilge pumps are activated. Bilges drier than the Atacama Desert.
With shorepower connected and on , 14.2V volts on display of battery condition monitor.
Shorepower OFF. Volts settle down to 12.8 V and 3 Green flashes from LED device.

Power up everthing and anything, within 30 mins volts reading 12.2 on monitor and single red flash on LED leisure batteries voltage alert.
Switch off all load.
Start both engines and left running, volts back up to a steady 13.8V after about 10 mins.

Generic Picture.

 

[Bouba]

Today I am also testing my house battery that went flat…it seemed quite steady at 13.2 this morning…but you all know how funny batteries can be…after we tie up and go for a post Christmas lunch walk it should give me a better idea
Merry Christmas to all

 

[gaylord694]

At least some people are trying to help the OP, what have you contributed to the thread ?

Oh, that will be nothing at all.

I didn't know that observation/contribution meant the same , however thankyou so much for pointing this catastrophic error on my behalf out to me ...... .Have a wonderful Christmas Day and whatever you do don't overdo the nut cutlet

 

[GHA]

Well your not far wrong there as most of the top contributors are like children they just want to be heard and noticed .... . My view on them is that " Children should be seen but not heard"............... .. ...Now wouldn't that be lovely

Such is social media, better to accept. And trust no one So much misinformation gets put out & the usual suspects never ever back down when it's pointed out they are talk rubbish. Ai kicks web chatrooms into touch these days for getting reliable relevant instant information with sources to confirm off the web.
For a global repository of human biases & textbook examples of them in action look no further, look at the grumpy replies spat out should you suggest someone is anything but gods gift to all things sailing
Loads on here should anyone want to dig deeper how crap their big monkey brain is at logic & evidence..
Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Podcast Republic

 

[Neeves]

A coup de grâce" on this thread ?

Both the battery banks (Start and Leisure ) have independant simple LED voltage alert devices fitted.
LED Green and 3 flashes means fully charged, right down to LED Red and a single flash means battery volts low and then finally a buzzer for an audio warning that something urgently needs doing.

Now, plus a recently installed battery condition monitor to Leisure bank only.

Boat on shore power over the last week. Master switches OFF, only possible drain is if any bilge pumps are activated. Bilges drier than the Atacama Desert.
With shorepower connected and on , 14.2V volts on display of battery condition monitor.
Shorepower OFF. Volts settle down to 12.8 V and 3 Green flashes from LED device.

Power up everthing and anything, within 30 mins volts reading 12.2 on monitor and single red flash on LED leisure batteries voltage alert.
Switch off all load.
Start both engines and left running, volts back up to a steady 13.8V after about 10 mins.

Generic Picture.
View attachment 187085

I have still not read the complete thread. Sorry if you have provided detail but it might be quicker for you to reiterate than me trawl through the posts (and it is still Xmas here, just - and no hurry - I'm not going to Hobart tomorrow

I may have missed a trick - but is shore power connected to a battery charger for the house bank? That is what you imply - just checking . Which charger.

I confess a lack of familiarity with the meter you display (as its a blue display it might be Victron ) I assume that the meter and, the shunt, are connector across the house bank only, house bank (I don't recall on the neg. or pos. side only). When you switch off shore power and switch off domestic house bank what does the meter display in terms of amps in and amps out. It should read zero or near - post a pic. You only have twin alternators and a battery charger - no solar

I'd be less confident on the voltage readings.


I think your meter defines battery state - you need to input a battery capacity. "Your" battery capacity is erroneous - that 'fact' is the basis of this thread (you lack capacity - batteries are knackered). So what did you input as capacity - and for the gurus what impact does inputting an erroneous capacity have on the usefulness of the data displayed. Does the meter do more than display data?

I have a similar configuration, my meter displays amps in and out it adds them up, subtracts from the inputted house bank total amps which it displays as a percentage of full. When my house bank is full voltage climbs and amps (in) reduces to near zero - assuming I'm not using 'something'.

Before you installed the shunt and meter what did you use as a battery charging management system. Reiterating I don't know your meter - does it profess to manage charging.

Have you tried monitoring data on each battery with the other battery out of circuit, isolated.

Jonathan

 

[oldgit]

that pix displayed from a sellers website.
DC Battery Monitor Meter 100A 0-200V LCD Display for Cars RV Solar System Tools | eBay
The 100A shunt is fitted.
Boat is close by,will take a pix of the actual readings today.

 

[Neeves]

that pix displayed from a sellers website.
DC Battery Monitor Meter 100A 0-200V LCD Display for Cars RV Solar System Tools | eBay
The 100A shunt is fitted.
Boat is close by,will take a pix of the actual readings today.

I quickly glanced at the link.

My display allows me to scroll through a number of screens and in addition to the 'master' screen (which is a pictorial of the battery state + % capacity) I can look at actual amps in and actual amps out - I assume your display will do something similar.....and the displayed amps will vary if you are charging and the battery is full (or not) and by switching circuits on an off you can define how much each circuit is using.....

Jonathan