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06-05-2013, 09:05
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Carlsbad CA
Boat: 1984 Hunter 36ft sloop
Posts: 61
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Batteries and Being on Shore Power
Just wondering,
When I leave my boat in slip, I won't be on her for another 3 weeks. She is plugged into shore power.
Should I turn the battery to "off" when I leave?
Or do I leave it in the "1" position?
Thank you.
__________________
"Be courteous, be professional, and have a plan to kill everyone." Gen "Mad Dog" Mattis
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06-05-2013, 09:14
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Fort Myers FL
Boat: Irwin 40
Posts: 878
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
It is best to turn it off but only after verifying that the bilge pump auto will still operate. Turn the switch off and lift the float switch if the pump comes on you are good to go. If it does not then leave the switch on. You can change the wiring of the float power so that it is connected to the hot side of the switch so that you cannot accidentally turn it off. This is the best way to go.
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06-05-2013, 09:16
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#3
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16’ N 82° 25.82’ W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,306
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
Depends.
1. Does the charger connect directly to the battery or through the switch?
2. Do you have a smart charger that doesn't overcharge the batteries?
3. Does the bilge pump connect direct to the batteries (with a fuse of course) or through the switch?
If yes to all the above then I would switch the batteries off.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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06-05-2013, 09:16
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,185
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
Your boat probably has a battery charger, which is fed via the AC current from the shore power inlet and lead to the batter bank(s). There are a lot of variances in the installation of a battery charger. Not trying to complicate things but you might want to spend 15 minutes in the battery compartment and trace the lines from the charge controller, seeing what goes where.
In my boat the batter selector switch (1/2/both) doesn't mean anything.
All of my charging sources (solar, alternator, battery charger) go to the house bank and then a relay (blue sea ACR) connects the starter battery whenever charging voltage is present. When it isn't, it opens the circuit.
Mine might sound complicated but it's quite simple and works great.
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06-05-2013, 09:33
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Cowichan Bay, BC (Maple Bay Marina)
Posts: 9,704
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
It all depends on how it's wired. I suggest you find out first.
__________________
Stu Jackson
Catalina 34 #224 (1986) C34IA Secretary
Cowichan Bay, BC, SR/FK, M25, Rocna 10 (22#) (NZ model)
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06-05-2013, 09:44
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Boat: Finnsailer 38
Posts: 5,122
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
I prefer to set up my boat so that I don't ever have to leave it for long with a shore power cord plugged in--too many things can go wrong. For me that means I have solar panels that will keep the batteries charged up when I am away. If there aren't any major loads running you batteries should be fine left unplugged for a month or less. Longer than 30 days and I would figure out a way to provide a charge.
Also, I suggest setting up your electrical system so that you can turn the main switch to Off when you are away in order to prevent leaving something on by mistake. This means having a special circuit for the bilge pumps that remains on.
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06-05-2013, 10:41
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Carlsbad CA
Boat: 1984 Hunter 36ft sloop
Posts: 61
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I'm not really sure at all. This is my first boat in a slip.
I'll look over the wiring charts and get back on it.
Not sure if the bilge pump works. Guess I should have figured that out before I left :/
Hopefully she won't be sunk by the time I return. Haha
__________________
"Be courteous, be professional, and have a plan to kill everyone." Gen "Mad Dog" Mattis
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07-05-2013, 05:03
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#8
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Eternal Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,046
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
The wiring diagrams should be used for reference ONLY, not gospel. The actual wiring in the boat may or MAY NOT be as depicted in the wiring diagram.
Get a pencil and paper and draw it out. Follow each wire beginning at the battery. Label them.
Then, if you don't understand what's going on, consult with someone familiar with DC boat wiring.
Bill
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07-05-2013, 05:06
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#9
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Nearly an old salt
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lefkas Marina ,Greece
Boat: Bavaria 36
Posts: 22,801
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
I have left boats plugged into marinas for months. No issues. Normally My 220VAC is wired to ensure the charger is powered on and charging.
For long durations ( > 4 weeks) I put the mains charger on a simple digital timer and set it to come on once a week for a few hours. I do this over the winter. ( again the boat is mains powered all the time ).
WIth a proper electrical installation there is no issue.
The DC circuitry show be wired to always allow the battery to be charged from shore power , even if off.
dave
__________________
Interested in smart boat technology, networking and all things tech
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07-05-2013, 05:16
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Boat: Finnsailer 38
Posts: 5,122
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
In the USA the standard shorepower connectors are very prone to creating a bad connection, leading to overheating and fires. Even if you leave the shorepower cord nicely plugged in with a nice clean connection, the motion of the boat or someone disconnecting and then reconnecting your boat can lead to a bad situation. Plus, frequently marina power is incorrectly wired up, which can lead to a dangerous situation or excess corrosion.
That's why I don't like leaving my boat plugged in for long periods without me being around.
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07-05-2013, 05:36
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#11
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Nearly an old salt
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lefkas Marina ,Greece
Boat: Bavaria 36
Posts: 22,801
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
Quote:
In the USA the standard shorepower connectors are very prone to creating a bad connection, leading to overheating and fires.
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Ive had these connectors systems in the past. A few have overheated to the point of fire, but I dont think the phrase "very prone" is justified.
Dave
__________________
Interested in smart boat technology, networking and all things tech
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07-05-2013, 05:51
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#12
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16’ N 82° 25.82’ W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,306
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
Quote:
Originally Posted by goboatingnow
Ive had these connectors systems in the past. A few have overheated to the point of fire, but I dont think the phrase "very prone" is justified.
Dave
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I upgraded my boat side connections to Smart Plugs. So if there is a fire it will happen on the dock end of the cord and not on the boat.
But if the docks are wood and catch fire then I guess it's all for naught.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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07-05-2013, 06:14
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#13
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running down a dream
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Florida
Boat: cape dory 30 MKII
Posts: 3,112
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
ah yes big decision. but my charger would not float the batteries unless switched on.
__________________
some of the best times of my life were spent on a boat. it just took a long time to realize it.
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08-05-2013, 05:27
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 361
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
I can't understand being away from the vessel for extended time
An inexpensive solar charger would solve a lot of potential problems.
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08-05-2013, 05:54
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Boat: Finnsailer 38
Posts: 5,122
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re: Batteries and Being on Shore Power
Quote:
I dont think the phrase "very prone" is justified.
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It depends on your definition of "very." To me, one fire is too many. I have been disappointed how often shore power connections at the dock are in bad shape, to the point it is difficult to get a good connection in the first place. And, even if you don't get to the point of a fire you can get arcing, or such a bad connection that you lose power. But, one of the biggest problems is that when you are not around someone will inevitably unplug your cord, and/or replug it badly so that it is loose. In my experience there is nearly a 100% chance of this if you leave the boat for a few weeks in a busy marina. It has happened to me when mine was the only boat on the dock in the middle of the winter--some workman came by and unplugged the cord for some reason and left it, so no heat on the boat. In other words, my advice is don't rely on shorepower to keep your batteries up in a busy marina unless you are there fairly frequently monitoring things.
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