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32 Volt Batteries

Discussion in 'Electronics' started by Glenn v Trigt, Jan 8, 2020.

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  1. Glenn v Trigt

    Glenn v Trigt New Member

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    I bought a 1988 twin DD 892T Bertram 50 SF in PR and it has 6 12 batteries
    3x 12v = 36 v instead of 32 v
    Is that ok to leave it that way or should I really change batteries to 45x8v = 32 v?
  2. Glenn v Trigt

    Glenn v Trigt New Member

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    Or should I really change batteries to 4x8v =32v?
  3. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The issue is charging. A 36v bank will never be fully charged by a 32v alternator or charger.

    if someone has installed a 36v charger (or a 3x12v charger on each bank) it will be ok as long as you run the generator under way.

    Using 12v batteries on a 32v is a common shortcut... which always make me wonder what else did the previous owner mess with
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I would of hoped your surveyor would of found this before your purchase. You may have stepped aboard a bag-o-worms.
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2020
  5. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    IMO,, Yes.


    Thoughts;
    The charge level on 32V system can get to 37V. The Ancor 32Vdc light bulbs do pretty good up to there.
    The charge level on a 36V system can easily past 40V plus. This would be rather abusive to 32V bilge pumps, blowers and lights. If you have the original Delco 30SI alternators, they may have been bumped for 36V operation.
    With this, dig deep for other cheap mods to the ships electrical system.

    I can easily imagine the issues with getting 8V batteries thru the islands. They would be rather rare and when found, extra expensive over their tall price on the mainland.
    IMO, the extra cost and expense would be worth it keeping the ship original with no modifications preformed.

    Pascal's comments above are rite on. He has many years experience with 32V Hatts.

    I've been living on our original 32V Bertram 58MY for near 16 years now. 42 years old and still a 32V boat.
    I shop and keep spares.

    Any questions on 32V, DDC or fine ole Berts, Post them on Yacht Forums.
  6. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I did not notice the OP was in the island. 8v golf cart batteries work pretty well and should not be hard to find on any island with a golf course. I ve used them for years and they cranked my old 8V71Ns just fine. A neighbor had them on a boat with 8V92TS
  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Darn good idea.
  8. Glenn v Trigt

    Glenn v Trigt New Member

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    I have a Bertram SF 50 1988 with Detroit 892T twin engines
    It has 2 battery banks of 32 v ( one start and one domestic)
    the existing parallel switch is fully corroded and needs replacement
    Anybody has any idea where I can buy one ?
    Battery 32 battery switches HD I could by easy But the paralel switch : n0
  9. Glenn v Trigt

    Glenn v Trigt New Member

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    parallel or emergency switch
  10. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Any heavy duty battery switch should do.
  11. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The original big Delco solenoid is serviceable. 3 screws from the bottom plate holds it all together.
    It's a spring loaded assembly, hold it together by hand till all three screws are out, then slowly let the metal cover push away. Take note or picture before it's all loose or flys into your coffee.

    The usual internal failure is the bridge disk and studs get pitted. I flip the disc and scrape the stud contact surface clean, reassemble.
    Never found a bad coil. I buy these up at marine junk shops and resell them when I'm bored.

    If you need new, These kids will have it;
    http://www.texasindustrialelectric.com/home.asp
    http://www.texasindustrialelectric.com/relays_1119867.asp <<< 32v example
  12. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    Now you owe me a keyboard.

    (And yes, been there done that.)
  13. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Check PM
  14. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Correct, as long as rated for an adequate current, i.e. Amps.
    That's what really matters, more than the voltage.
  15. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    They sell the solenoids at NAPA. Take a picture. Ocean loved to use big solenoids to combine battery banks to make 24 volts for starting. Last time I bought one it was under $100.
  16. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The question was for 32V.
  17. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Yeah they sell parallel solenoids also to join two 32 volt banks together for starting purposes.

    Here's a place that sells all sorts of 32 volt stuff that I stumbled on

    boatseabass.com/boating-sea453/26443/32-volt
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2020
  18. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Napa has tons of that type of stuff in their catalog. You're talking about 2 different things. I just simply mentioned that Napa has the 12v-24v battery combiner solenoids that Ocean was famous for using. However, Napa also has 32 volt battery combiners and switches.