DC electrics

sanjuandreamer · 08-10-2009, 11:43 PM

I recently purchased a 98 35ft Mariner.
The DC electrics are not working. (Part of the great price).
I've inspected the wiring and fuses, all looks in order.
I plug in the shore power and select the "Battery Charger".
The battery charger whines a bit and the voltage needle pegs past 15.
The TV, DVD, microwave and coffee pot, the most important in my opinion

, and the 110 wall plugs all work.
None of the dashboard electrics work, such as the horn, wipers, nav lights and so on.
I know the house batteries are completely dead, the entire bank reads 3 volts.
Wondering if there might be some fuse or breaker I missed? Not speaking about the breaker panel, I went through all that.
Any other places I should be ware of?
The boat starts and runs excellent.

K1W1 · 08-11-2009, 01:57 AM

Hi,

Do the Batteries have any sort of Isolation Switch?

The Charger pegging on 15 V is a good indication that there is a demand for some charge, do you see any change in the 3V Reading when you bang the charger on?

Checking for continuity between the positive on your battery and the positive wire at one of your things that doesn't work will tell you if there is a physical connection,(No unseen fuse or switch) if your non running electrics are getting their fat from the House Batteries I am not surprised you see nought at 3V.

When you have the engine running try taking off the leads from the House Batteries and connect them to the Start Batteries with jumper leads, this will be a quick way to get power to your system- just make sure you don't stick 24V( I don't know what your starter voltage is) into your 12V System.

NYCAP123 · 08-11-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

None of the dashboard electrics work, such as the horn, wipers, nav lights and so on.
I know the house batteries are completely dead

All of this stuff is off your house batteries. Get new house batteries, then check your voltage from your alternator and from your charger to find out why they went dead and not your engine start batteries. Make sure the charge is making it to all bats.

sanjuandreamer · 08-12-2009, 10:03 PM

Talked with mechanic today. He said the house charging system is fine. It was pegging because the house bats were dead. He tested the batteries and indications show they might be salvageable from a good charge. We'll see in the morning.

dennismc · 08-12-2009, 10:19 PM

All you need is to out there and the instruments go sideways, buy new batteries
they are cheap, life is not...

NYCAP123 · 08-12-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

they might be salvageable

For how long, and where will you be when they fail. Get new! Hoses, belts and batteries are changed on schedule. It sounds like a good time to start with those bats.

sanjuandreamer · 08-15-2009, 09:36 PM

My mechanic recommended a guy who is very good with figuring DC electric stuff. He'll be looking tomorrow to see why the dash accessories are not working.
Wow, I need to purchase 8 new 6 volt batteries...ouch...

NYCAP123 · 08-15-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hakuna_Matata

My mechanic recommended a guy who is very good with figuring DC electric stuff. He'll be looking tomorrow to see why the dash accessories are not working.
Wow, I need to purchase 8 new 6 volt batteries...ouch...

???? Maybe 4 new 12v

or actually only 2 since it's only the house bats.

sanjuandreamer · 08-17-2009, 10:28 PM

Hmmmm.. .. Interesting. I'll research that....

sanjuandreamer · 08-20-2009, 02:57 PM

Stuck with the 6 volt 8 Interstate batteries...didn't want to rock the boat.

Electrical guy went through and fixed all the electrical issues.
WooHoo!!!, now to go fill the tank

NYCAP123 · 08-20-2009, 03:42 PM

I've seen 12 volt systems and 24 volt systems. A 6volt system is a new one on me.

Marmot · 08-20-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

I've seen 12 volt systems and 24 volt systems. A 6volt system is a new one on me.

I thought you were older than rocks ... didn't your first car have a 6 volt system?

Anyway, 6 volt batteries put together in series or series-parallel can make very versatile, economic, and powerful banks that are way more user friendly than a few 8Ds.

Seafarer · 08-20-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

I've seen 12 volt systems and 24 volt systems. A 6volt system is a new one on me.

Think series, not parallel.

NYCAP123 · 08-20-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marmot

I thought you were older than rocks ... didn't your first car have a 6 volt system?

Anyway, 6 volt batteries put together in series or series-parallel can make very versatile, economic, and powerful banks that are way more user friendly than a few 8Ds.

My Triumph Bonniville had one. Just never saw them on a boat. I learn.

Marmot · 08-20-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

Just never saw them on a boat. I learn.

All lead-acid batteries are made up of 2 volt cells so it's just a matter of series to reach voltage then parallel to reach capacity desired.

My first boat only had 2 batteries but it had 504 cells and would run for a couple of days between charges at low speed.