Lancer 28 charging info needed.

[Rivercat]

I just bought an 81 Lancer 28.
Need to keep the auto-bilge going this winter.
I can't find a charger or inverter anywhere on this boat. It does have shore power connection and house outlets.
Don't know if the bilge pump is 12v only.
Any info on this boats stock electrical and charging configuration and where the inverter or onboard charger "should be" is greatly appreciated.
Pulling the battery once a week to have it charged is really tedious lol.
Yes this is my first boat ...haze me if you will...

[cal40john]

The boats I'm familiar with that were built in the 70's in this size range came standard with a battery tray, DC nav lights and DC cabin lights. Everything else was owner installed.

Basically it is likely there are not places where the things you are talking about are supposed to be, it's where you can find to fit them, hopefully where they won't get underwater.

The bilge pump if it actually exists is most likely 12 volts.

Make sure you actually have one. One of our group came into a destination dock taking on water. He said his bilge pump wasn't working. We manually pumped out his bilge and determined the leak was actually minor. I then offered to troubleshoot his system. I couldn't find a bilge pump. There was a switch on his panel labeled bilge pump and when he turned on the switch it lighted up, so he thought it was working. I found no wires, no hoses, no through holes, no bilge pump.

When I started in the 70's the 26 foot club boat had the above as an electrical system. A manual bilge pump was installed to leak over the quarterberth, and a leadline for finding the depth. We would take a second battery if we were going out for a week.

No radio, no charger on the outboard, no AC electrical system.

[stormalong]

A 1981 Lancer 28 is so old that it is anybody's guess what is there, including the long gone builder. You have an obligation as the boat owner to know your boat. Trace out your electrical system and you will have your answer.

[capt jgw]

I had a Lancer 28 years ago. As said above, almost all the equipment was owner or dealer installed, so there are no standards. As I recall, I had a bilge pump down in the keel sump aft of the carpeted recess you could stand in. There was a battery charger, but I installed it myself. There's no telling where a previous owner would have installed one, but I suspect there isn't a charger. Are your batteries back in the outboard well? Too wet a location for a charger, but if you trace the wires from the batteries to the electric panel, you may find something.

[Rivercat]

Thanks for the info folks.
It is a 12 volt bilge, battery is under the settee.
Everything on the bolt seems to be 12 volt yet there are 110v outlets, and a shore power hookup.
I'm just hoping there is a charger hiding somewhere...gotta do some snooping.
Til then ...I'm pulling the battery ever week.
Yaaaaay!

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by Rivercat

Thanks for the info folks.
It is a 12 volt bilge, battery is under the settee.
Everything on the bolt seems to be 12 volt yet there are 110v outlets, and a shore power hookup.
I'm just hoping there is a charger hiding somewhere...gotta do some snooping.
Til then ...I'm pulling the battery ever week.
Yaaaaay!

The 110 volt outlets are for the blender you're going to bring on the boat.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Rivercat.

[MaxEntropy]

Yeah that gear was added by the previous owner(s) so no way to tell. Here's the manual for a 27 Lancer just in case it helps somehow: https://briandphoto.net/docs/LancerManual.pdf

[rancher44]

I actually have a lancer setting in my yard on a trailer.
My charger is under the sink on the starboard side . the bilge pump is 12 volts. I used a very small solar panel to keep the boat charged for a couple of years. the panel was roughly 12"x16". never had any trouble. These boats are a great first boat and fun. Welcome to Cruisers.