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Battery set up on a Carver 355 , configuration

Discussion in 'Carver Yacht' started by elliottsurf, Aug 9, 2016.

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  1. elliottsurf

    elliottsurf New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    26
    Location:
    Montreal Canada
    [carver battery]
    I need some input on a Carver 355 '98. Battery configuration
    This is my first summer using this boat and the previous owner nor the marina are able to give me any info on the battery configuration. It seems that the boat has been used by the previous owner strictly as a day excursion boat,and then a full time cottage while plugged in at the marina, with 4 televisions, satellite TV, air conditioning etc, and that ,extended unpowered overnight cruising was never the case.
    This is what I have been dealing with in the bilge.
    1 dedicated 12 vt. Battery for the generator
    1 dedicated 12 vt battery for both engines
    2 series 6 vt batteries for the house.


    When I compare this to the Carver owner guide book which accompanies the boat, it seems that this is how it is, with no individual batteries for each engine.
    The book goes on to explain that when running, charge both battery systems, and switch over ,to one or the other when not charging.

    This is the issue.
    After 2 days the starter battery is very low and the fridge is warm. The generator gets this charged up enough to restart the engines after about a 5 minute run. The interstiing thing is that ALL THE LIGHTS ON BOARD ARE BRIGHT

    So, is it possible that fridge is hooked up to the motor batteries and not the house batteries.

    I have checked the wires that connect to the starting battery, and I do not see any connection to the fridgidaire
    Is it possible that this connection is done elsewhere in the system, and does anybody think that this was intentional, that the fridge is on the starting battery

    PS. All of my other boats had a dedicated battery for each engine, and the house was independant of engine batteries.

    PS. There is really no space to have added an extra battery




    Elliott
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 9, 2016
  2. Monepit

    Monepit Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2013
    Messages:
    146
    Location:
    Evansville, in
    All I can tell you is how mine was connected. Dedicated gen. 2 house for 1 2 house for 2. That's position on selector switch when switched to either. Those 2 feed everything. The other 2 are disconnected. Switch to both and all 4 feed everything and also charge from engine. Battery charger had a lead foe each of the 3 banks. I would try to switch between 1 and 2 every two weeks to use both equally.
  3. g36

    g36 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2013
    Messages:
    70
    Location:
    chattanooga
    I have a carver 405. Next size up from your 355. The wiring is the way carver did it except it would have had 1 12v not 2 6v for the house. What position are you running on the battery switch? 1 or 2? it seems the house is wired to the wrong battery if the fridge is pulling down the one start battery. The connection for the fridge 12v and 110 is made in the electrical panel not in the engine room. Either switch the battery switch to the other selection or swap the positive lead on the start and 2 6v batteries as the house. I use 6v batteries for my house bank but I am using 4 of them otherwise it's the same. Also I Suggest Buying a battery load tester about $30 on amazon It's Something That Will Be Very handy to have to know how your batteries are..
  4. elliottsurf

    elliottsurf New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    26
    Location:
    Montreal Canada
    Thank you so much for your response.
    The previous owner told me he always left the switch on Both
    I installed solar panels , so I also have left the switch on Both, so that charging at all times is both. I realize now that the solars do not go through the switch and that they are direct so in fact i could select position 1 or 2 without affecting charging.

    But, in my posting I stated that the starting battery runs down as well as the fridge BUT not any of the lights, so this tells me that the fridge is not connected to the house, so, I am not sure if switching the cables would actually change anything other than reversing which batteries will drop down first,and, in either case the engines or fridge will be together.
    It is the fridge lead which I think should be linked to where the lights are connected.
    However , your input has better helped me to understand this boat.
  5. sam356

    sam356 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2011
    Messages:
    125
    Location:
    Great Oaks Fairlee Creek MD
    You have 3 batteries ,one is just for your generator, you have a selector switch that says 1, both,2. 1 and 2 is the battery you want to use if you put them on both you are using both batteries. I never use both unless you have a weak battery and you need to start the engines. When you use your refrigrator it draws alot of juice you have a full size one. I use my generator when running or on the hook.
  6. g36

    g36 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2013
    Messages:
    70
    Location:
    chattanooga
    A dc fridge even a full size as I have only draws 4-6 amps dc. It doesn't run all day so the duty cycle will determine how much actual is consumed. Also he has 2 6v batteries as house. It appears right now the fridge may not be on his house or maybe the whole boat till he abswers back, but with 2 6v batteries he has useable as in not exceeding the 50% rule on batteries to easily run that for a couple of days with no recharge whatever else you use on dc will of course change that. 6v holf cart battery has total capacity of 185-225 amps give or take so 1\2 is useable. He also states he has installed solar panels I don't know what size maybe he will respond but with those connected properly and depending on size he can negate that fridge usage and probably a lot more. I don't know if he is using an inverter but with my inverter and battery setup I dont have solar but can easily run my boat for 2-3 days without genset. BUT since it's been 98 degrees and 80% humidity I have to run the gen for ac right now