[C36IA] Deck Light
Gene Foraker
gforaker at gmail.com
Tue Jun 23 14:18:07 EDT 2009
I really haven't studied the theory, Fred. You may be right and
fortunately, I haven't had to jump start my boat other than a test. I
don't even take the jump starter along unless planning on anchoring out
for several days.
I believe that the experts have said that thinking about voltage
differences when starting an engine is "over thinking" it. Amps
available is the important factor and even a "low" battery has some amps
available to kick into the job and will contribute. I can't recall
where I read it though. It might have been Nigel Calder or "12 volt
Bible".
Gene
Fred Jackson wrote:
> Gene,
> When you've only got one good battery left, your jumper, and you're a long
> ways from home, don't risk failure. Isolate the jumping battery!
> Fred J.
> Amante #2209
>
>
>
>> [Original Message]
>> From: Gene Foraker <gforaker at gmail.com>
>> To: Catalina 36 Association Mailing List <c36list at c36ia.com>
>> Date: 6/23/2009 9:22:10 AM
>> Subject: Re: [C36IA] Deck Light
>>
>> 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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