Damsel in distress-53 Hatteras 32v system ?s

There is nothing to understand about a 32v system that any decent mechanic couldn't. It s really the same a any DC system, just a different voltage.

Yes, with regular lead acid batteries you will have to top them off anywhere from monthly to every 3 months deoending on the charger, if you don't, plays will be exposed and th batteries will fail.

i m not famliar with the charger you have but some chargers do tnd to cook batteries faster. Smart three stage chargers do not and with those you don't have to top off th batteries as often.

If you have an older charger, indeed installing a timer is a work around to protect your batteries. That s why I did some 10 years ago on mine, setting it up to charger about 8 hours a day. As a suit I top off the batteries evey 3 months instead of monthly

A good option for batteries is to use 8v golf cart batteries, 4 on each bank. They are designed for deep cycling yet can handle starting duties. Mines last 4 years in average. Brand doesn't really matter much, exide, interstate whatever. Batteries and bulb plus is a nationwide chain that can supply them, about $120 a piece.

Rolls batteries are probably the only one that are better than the regular golf cart batteries but they cost a lot more. I do not believe they are worth the extra $ as they don't necessarily last twice as long, for twice the cost.

There is nothing wrong about the 32v system, th only drawback is that it may be a little harder to find bulbs and other parts like bilge pumps. So you may have to order thm instead of walking into the local west marine....no big deal.. Converting to 24v is way too costly as it s not just the starters and alternators, but also all th bilge pumps, water pump, heads, bulbs etc... Expensive and unnecessary

One other possible issue is that at some point someone may have installed 3 12 batteries on each bank, making 36v thinking it would be ok. I have seen it or head of it a few times and it doesn't work as the charger will not work properly.

6 gallons? I wonder if you don't have 12v 8Ds... Or you could also have a leaking cell although you woudl find acid under the batteries. Just measure the batteies and compare with specs on any website.

Yes, you need the charger on so your bilge pumps, and lights etc work. But keeping it on charging dead dry batteries is going to damage the charger eventually. Bite the bullet, and change the batteries

Update
They are 8V195, 4 cell, 8 volt, 19.5 inch case batteries.
The Charles charger has cooked them near dry & took 8 gallons of water to flood them again.
Charles charger buzzing like it's under a heavy load but the amp meter just up a tad. Output 36.5Vdc at the batteries with a slight ACv, 60 hz ripple on top.

New charger and batteries quote going out tomorrow.

All devices are original designed 32Vdc systems.

Great looking ship.

I can not put an exact finger on the problem but there seems to be no automatic function in a Charles charger.
Unlike the old charger/converters of the old days; Raritan's and other automatic/regulated chargers where voltage & current come way down to a bare trickle and were adjustable.

This is the second Charles charger I have witnessed that cooks (bakes & fries) batteries. I do have to point out this Charles stuff was on 24x7 as an automatic charger would be. Charles did recommend a programmable timer switch similar to yard lights or water heater timers to reduce the cooking time.

In the meantime, our Damsel in Distress is researching AGM batteries, chargers and options.

IMO, the charger does not come down to a float/trickle level. There is just something in that Ferroresonant design that I can not explain, but know to stay away from.

It is hard for me to state these things as the Charles charger is most recognized and easily purchased (cheapest). Charles makes many other fancy chargers, Just not in 32v systems.

LaMarche will build you a 32vDC smart series 41 charger. in 3 to 4 weeks.
I'd go there.

If were going to spend more time on this other than the OP, Lets open another thread.

,Ralph

Who said my boat was outdated?? It a 1978 model also. Fancy '80s model are to new..

It works, therefore it's up to date.

Rather spend the money on fuel than a paint job. Oh, Dry Tortugas & Keys this year.

,rc

I was having fun with ya.

There ya go.
The old Sentry chargers are great. I wonder if you could just order a 24Vdc regulator board for them.

Well, our OP, Damsel in Distress thought exactly that also. 3 sets of 8V195s has been cooked by that same charger new almost 4 years ago. I have witness another battery BBQ by that same charger.
I understood Sentry was still around. My vender offered me a 32Vdc Sentry quote. Newmar makes them also.



If you're keeping 32v, find a Sentry dealer or look at the NewMars.

A ferroresonant transformer / capacitor is nothing more the a line, load stabilizer that in lay terms uses a transformer with an extra set of windings for a capacitor that keeps the load voltage stable when the line (input ) voltage drops. A good scenario would be when your plugged into a dock that has voltage drops @ 5 to 7 PM or "Brown outs" when the surrounding community fires up the kitchens and AC's in their houses and your 220 single phase line voltage goes from 110 v per leg to 99v per leg the capacitor will discharge in a ferroresonant circuit and keep your load side output stable @ 110v for a short period as to not affect your rate of charge. There's a bit more too it technically but your eyes would glass over as its rather boring stuff. A ferroresonant type charger would have nothing to do with overcharging or boiling your batteries dry as that's a totally different section that would include the chargers regulators and sensing taps.