MacGregor 26X First boat for me

[BobA]

I have just bought a MacGregor 26X and intend to use it in the Essex and Suffolk Rivers and coast.
It is fitted with the usual sails and an Evinrude 50hp outboard, can anyone advise me how to check if the batteries are charging as they do not seem to get above the yellow marks on the battery meters. also the depth sounder does not appear to be working.
Next question - does any one know of a good marine electrician in the Colchester/Brightlingsea area.
Thanks for your help in advance

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[andyball]

If you haven't already got one....buy a cheap digital multimeter; £10 'ish should get one that'll do volts Amps (up to 10 is handy) ohms etc.

Read the instructions & then measure the battery voltage with engine running, first at tickover ,then higher rpm.

The voltage you'll see does depend on the size/condition/charge of the batterys, and how big the evinrude alternator is..... so this is very approx. but you would probably see at least 12.8 at tickover, rising to 13.5-14.5 at speed.

Do you know what size the evinrude alternator is?

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[Seafort]

Not sure what instruments you have but my fixed gps (Furuno) can be configured to show supply voltage. With no battery monitor system this does for me.

Dave.

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[dickh]

For a cheap multimeter go to Ebay - you can get them for a fiver including P & P. See ebay no 2433045629.
I've bought one and keep it on the boat.

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I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[BobA]

Thanks for that, i have just looked in the handbook and it tells me that the alternator is 13amp,fully regulated,whatever that means!

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[andyball]

OK, that means it'll put a maximum of 13Amps out (150-180Watts) & has a regulator to stop it from over charging (shd keep the Volts below say 14.5, but it may still be too much on paper for "sealed" or gel type batteries.

Assuming you've two 90Amp hour batt's, ??? the figures I mentioned before aren't too far out, esp if they've not been fully charged for a while; assume they're half-charged & your engine would take at least 7 hours to recharge such a bank.

So...? quite possibly the alternator's OK (use the meter to check anyway) & the fairly small 13Amp alternator just struggles to make an impression on the batteries in a short time.

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[BobA]

Thanks for that, i have just been and bought a meter and will go down to the boat tomorrow and see what measurements i get then.
Would it be a good idea to connect up a battery charger for a couple of days? if so, will connecting to one of the batteries charge them both?

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[andyball]

I was just about to suggest that you connect up a charger for a while.....fine idea.

If the batteries are already obviously connected together (+ to + & - to -) then yes, the charger will charge both at once....otherwise it depends on the wiring of a battery switch (some boats have a switch for "off, 1, 2, both" ).

with the charger ,check the voltage regularly rather than leave it on & go home.....if a small 4 Amp type you may get away with it overnight or even longer. The danger is overcharging if your charger isn't regulated.....sealed & gel batteries don't care for being overcharged (over say 14.2V).

If you've a regulated charger (gunsons & the small optimates spring to mind) then no prob leaving it on.

Check the fluid level in both batt's (if they're top-uppable) before doing your tests/charging.

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[BobA]

You have been really helpful to a "newbie", thanks.

My boat has a switch that shows "off,1,2 and both" so am i correct in assuming that if the switch is at "both" and a charger is connected it will charge both batteries at the same time.
the batteries state that they should not be charged in excess of 5amps.
Any ideas which of the diy shops sell the type of charger you mentioned.

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[andyball]

you're right about the switch position & charging.....but, if there's any danger of overcharging try to be sure that no electronics are on when you do this.....even if not overcharging, some would avoid this, esp with cheap mains chargers. However, I've never had any problems myself.

I've heard of batteries being labelled "charge below xx Amps", even though their size/application would suggest they'd take a much greater current when installed in a car/boat.

I think halfords & certainly Argos used to sell the gunsons automatic charger....check the box , but as I recall it's a lowish current charger with a regulator so you can't overcharge no matter how long you leave it on. £20 I think.

There are also optimate, accumate & doubtless many others.

eg : Argos list one as "automatic" for £20...the link won't work so www.argos.co.uk & look in tools/diy then car accessories.

I see argos don't list the gunson one now, so see here and <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.dry-it-out.com/accumate.htm>here</A> but rather more money again

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