[C36IA] Deck Light

[Gene Foraker]

I read a technical article once that unless there is a dead short in the 
one battery, you should connect the jumping battery to the low 
battery.   Even a very low battery supposedly provides amps to the 
circuit.  In every time I have jumped boat or car this seems to be the 
case.   At least connecting to the low battery terminals doesn't seem to 
hurt.   Any amps that go from the jumping battery to the low battery 
will then go to the starter when you turn the key.

I think it was Jerry and I who had a "discussion" a few years ago about 
the adequacy of the cheaper jump start battery to start our diesel 
motors.   I tested it by disconnecting the #2 battery bank positive 
cable from the battery and connecting the jump start battery directly to 
the positive cable and the negative terminal.   No help at all from the 
disconnected boat battery.   The battery easily warmed the glow plugs 
and started the cold engine.   I immediately turned the battery selector 
switch to the still connected battery #1 before disconnecting the jump 
starter.    You could easily isolate the boat from the dead battery this 
way. 

Although my jump starter proved it could start the boat, there does seem 
to be a lot of variation in these products, perhaps even batch to 
batch.  I suggest you test it at your boat before fully trusting it to 
be powerful enough.

Gene

John Van Vessem wrote:
> Fred,
>  
> I too use my batteries rather than try to save them.  I am interested 
> in carrying a jump start battery, can you tell me where you connect 
> them for a jump start.  I would think that if your 4Ds are down to 
> where they will not turn over the engine, connecting the jump start 
> battery to them would draw the jump battery down to the level of the 
> 4Ds. 
>  
> Also is your jump battery a gel, AGM or something else.
>  
> John Van Vessem
> Sojourn #2295
> Vallejo Yacht Club
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* Fred Jackson <jacksonfa at earthlink.net>
> *To:* Catalina 36 Association Mailing List <c36list at c36ia.com>
> *Sent:* Monday, June 22, 2009 11:32:47 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [C36IA] Deck Light
>
> John,
> You're correct.  I replace my 4Ds after five seasons, whether they appear
> to need it or not.  I think it's alot simpler to just replace them
> frequently than it is to mess with starting batteries, solar chargers, 
> wind
> chargers, etc.
> I did, however, upgrade to a 70 amp alternator and an better regulator.
> Also, I carry a portable jump starting battery for extra confidence.
> Over a season, I would estimate that I drop voltage in one battery or the
> other below 12V perhaps once, maybe twice.
> Fred J.
> Amante #2209
>
>
> > [Original Message]
> > From: <grifftoe at frontier.net <mailto:grifftoe at frontier.net>>
> > To: Catalina 36 Association Mailing List <c36list at c36ia.com 
> <mailto:c36list at c36ia.com>>
> > Date: 6/22/2009 11:52:10 AM
> > Subject: Re: [C36IA] Deck Light
> >
> > Hola, Fred, you're a lucky guy, a diesel that starts on a flat 
> > battery, and batteries that can take the hammering you give 'em. A 
> > typical battery is over 50% discharged when it reads 12 volts, 11.5 
> > volts is a deep discharge. A wet cell battery will only take a limited 
> > number of deep discharge cycles, fewer cycles the deeper the 
> > discharge: a battery discharged to 50% each time may last only 300 
> > cycles whereas a battery discharged only 15% on each cycle may last 
> > for 1,000 cycles.
> > So, your 4D set is probably on its last legs. Prolong battery life by 
> > keeping them charged up to 13+ volts.
> > Fred, we aren't using more electricity than you, we use less of our 
> > batteries' capacity though, and we attend to their state of charge.
> > --
> > John Griffiths
> >  SV Pegasus C36 #1353
> > lying San Carlos, Sonora
> > tel (Mexico) 622-112-2619
> > http://www.frontier.net/~grifftoe
> > -
> > Fred Jackson wrote:
> > > I don't understand all this concern about power consumption.  We've 
> > > never had a battery go below 11.5 V, which is still plenty enough to 
> > > start the diesel.  We seldom get one to go below 12V.  What do you 
> > > guys do that we don't do that draws so much?  I don't have LED 
> > > lights, a Honda generator, a wind generator, solar panels or any of 
> > > that stuff.  And my regular wet cell 4D 12V batteries have been 
> > > through 4 seasons.
> > >  Fred J.
> > > Amante #2209
> > >
> >
> >
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