Charging Question

[markpj23]

Boat I'm trying to buy (awaiting survey) has 3 banks for the house. While aboard dockside and connected to power, low voltage alarm went off for the bank then in use. Owner switched to an alternate bank and then started charging the previous one.
Silly me, but if you're connected to shore power and your chargers are working, why would you EVER get a low-voltage alarm? Can't you charge and use the same bank... as my RVs have always been able to do?

[By Invitation]

if you're connected to shore power and your chargers are working, why would you EVER get a low-voltage alarm?

Damn good question, my guess is something's not working quite properly, have it checked out !

[Alan Wheeler]

Agree. Something ain't working right.
Plus, you want to get the batteries test for capacity as well. they maybe really tired and that equates to expensive.

[ssullivan]

A couple odd scenarios come to mind...

Based on the idea that the owner was switching banks, he might have an unusual setup in that only one bank is charged at a time? You never know what kind of custom work people do, intelligent or otherwise.

Also, maybe the boat was sitting with the charger off for a long period of time and flat batteries. Possibly, he thought turning it on a few minutes before your arrival would be sufficient to show the boat. Did you turn on a lot of DC items when the alarm went off?

Either way, something is not as is should be. Delve deeper if this boat is one you are interested in.