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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2016 22:50:17 GMT
Our boat is going to be unused for much of the winter, during that time the domestic batteries will be on float charge from the solar panel. But the starter battery ( which is identical to the domestics) won't be getting any charging and will quietly self discharge. Is there any reason why I shouldn't join the positive of the starter battery to the domestics so it gets float charged too? They are within a few tenths of a volt. I realise its one more thing to remember when we do go out. Or is it a waste of time ( I aready have a suitable lead).
Top Cat
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Post by Telemachus on Nov 28, 2016 23:33:43 GMT
Nothing wrong with connecting them together, on the other hand I'm not sure it's worth it. My mate never uses his boat between October and April and the batteries just sit there with no shore power or solar, but seem to cope fine with that.
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 28, 2016 23:35:12 GMT
For the mild inconvenience of doing so I'd say yes, link 'em
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Post by geo on Nov 29, 2016 0:16:32 GMT
Make sure the cable linking them cannot come off and short to the hull or the neg side anywhere. There is enough energy there to burn through the steel.
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 29, 2016 0:40:01 GMT
Make sure the cable linking them cannot come off and short to the hull or the neg side anywhere. There is enough energy there to burn through the steel. Gosh what an excellent idea. Bet you hadn't thought of that had you TC?
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Post by Robbo on Nov 29, 2016 6:50:57 GMT
Our boat is going to be unused for much of the winter, during that time the domestic batteries will be on float charge from the solar panel. But the starter battery ( which is identical to the domestics) won't be getting any charging and will quietly self discharge. Is there any reason why I shouldn't join the positive of the starter battery to the domestics so it gets float charged too? They are within a few tenths of a volt. I realise its one more thing to remember when we do go out. Or is it a waste of time ( I aready have a suitable lead). Top Cat You could get voltage sensitive relay that links the battery banks up when any bank is been charged.
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Post by Ditchcrawler on Nov 29, 2016 11:13:01 GMT
Our boat is going to be unused for much of the winter, during that time the domestic batteries will be on float charge from the solar panel. But the starter battery ( which is identical to the domestics) won't be getting any charging and will quietly self discharge. Is there any reason why I shouldn't join the positive of the starter battery to the domestics so it gets float charged too? They are within a few tenths of a volt. I realise its one more thing to remember when we do go out. Or is it a waste of time ( I aready have a suitable lead). Top Cat You could get voltage sensitive relay that links the battery banks up when any bank is been charged. Surly that would also operate when he runs his engine and depending on his set up he may not want that. He could wire it with fat wire through an isolating switch then he would have a way to start the boat when the starter battery fails, it will fail one day, they all do.
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Post by geo on Nov 29, 2016 12:50:32 GMT
Make sure the cable linking them cannot come off and short to the hull or the neg side anywhere. There is enough energy there to burn through the steel. Gosh what an excellent idea. Bet you hadn't thought of that had you TC? lol you are a prat I suspect TC might have but someone inexperience could read the post and just put a jump cable with croc clips between the two just as they think TC is going to do.
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Post by peterboat on Nov 29, 2016 14:15:06 GMT
I do put a jump lead across to charge it occasionally, quality insulated lead so if it comes off it doesnt short. I keep it in the engine bay if I do have a flat starter battery as its now nearly 9 years old
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 29, 2016 15:02:02 GMT
It's very common to use a jump lead for that purpose If Geo had a bit more practical knowledge he'd know that.
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Post by bodger on Nov 29, 2016 16:19:40 GMT
earwigoagain.
................ now now, girls, play nicely.
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Post by Ditchcrawler on Nov 29, 2016 17:29:58 GMT
I know an ex electrical engineer who had a solar panel which he connected with crock clips despite me warning him of the danger, needles to say one day it happened and cased a few sparks
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2016 17:35:06 GMT
Topcat
How big is the solar panel?
Some of the smaller ones are "pants" in the winter so I am not convinced about them keeping a battery bank "on float" anyway. If the boat is off grid ie not in a marina or organised mooring I would have thought you would visit it now and then to make sure its ok/still there/floating/not been taken away by the aliens anyway in which case running the engine for a bit might be an option ?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2016 20:05:31 GMT
The panel is 190W so has plenty of grunt to keep the batteries topped up, mind you it didn't do much today as it never defrosted. The boat is at the bottom of our garden so inspection is easy. I also have a 2.4W panel left over from another project, I might just use that, it won't do a lot but I suspect will keep up with self discharge
Top Cat
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Post by geo on Nov 29, 2016 21:21:30 GMT
It's very common to use a jump lead. If Geo had a bit more practical knowledge he'd know that. Oh yes as a very temporary link to do an always attended emergency link up between two batteries, the purpose for which they were designed. i.e. connecting two batteries together for a few minutes to assist in boosting one of the batteries allowing the starting of an engine. Extremely bad practices for jump leads to be left connecting to fully charged batteries on a boat or anywhere for weeks let alone days. The possible damage and danger that could result from the positive end of a jump lead becoming detached from one of a pair of batteries banks and shorting to the hull according to you nothing. Rather it could hole the hull; cause a fire, etc. 300/400 amps or more from several hundred-amp hours of batteries. Any insurance company would not be happy when it went wrong and refuse any claim. A boat at a mooring for several months, being passed by others, causing movement of the boat with batteries joined positive to positive by a jump lead. A floating time bomb. Wotever or wotever you call yourself here you are stupid and I hope no one ever takes your advice and connects two batteries bank for days, weeks or months using a jump lead style cable and there is an accident. I hope anyone who read and takes this advice will know where to find you to sue you for the advice and damage and delta9 for that matter as he published it. Sorry D9 but that is where the law stands and lays the responsibility on the advice giver, if a competent person, and the publisher. Wotever has displayed himself here as a competent person on the subject on this and other sites.
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