1998 290 Dancer Port Engine Issues

[Monk]

I have recently replaced all three batteries due to my port engine not starting after a night disconnected from shore power, low water and was not sure when they had been replaced so I thought might as well do it. The most recent, Saturday night, the only thing that was running throughout the night were the navigation/anchoring light, Refrigerator and the AC Converter, which I thought would not be pulling any power since not connected to shore power. When I went to start my engines in the morning the starboard engine started fine but the port engine would only start with the emergency start button and then died when I tried to pull anchor. I had to put it in neutral, give it some juice to keep it from dying with pulling the anchor. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Devin

 

[dc380]

The AC converter wouldn't draw power unless connected to shore power or Generator.

What size and brand of batteries did you buy?

I assume the refigerator and anchor lights run off the Port battery?

How long did you sit at anchor? (How many amps did you draw from the battery)

Running the engines to re-charge the batteries just before going to bed used to work for me. You can try that, the battery should be able to handle a overnite stay.

Your windless draws a lot of DC power, it's not usual to have to rev the engine in order to break the anchor free.

Now when I stay at anchor or on a mooring I run the Gen for at least 5 hours a day to keep the batteries topped off. You may not have a Gen, but you can do the same running your engines.

 

[Monk]

1. I bought Everstart Marine 27DC Batteries
2. I thought that the starboard engine and accessories all ran off the other two batteries but I am not positive. How do I tell?
3. I sat about a full day (24 hours) with the only thing on being the refrig. and then the nav. lights for about ten hours. Is that what causes the port engine not to start without help from the starboard batteries? (Not sure of amps., new to boating and learning as I go)
I do have a gen. but I have not been using it because I did not think I was using enough power to have it on, I guess I am wrong.

Devin

 

[dc380]

OK, the batteries are the same as I had, so you have enough amps.

It's easy to determine. With your engines off, and disconnected from shore power, and no Gen
Shut off both batteries. Turn on the refrig, or anything else you want to know which battery is powering it, and then turn on the port batteries and see if it's running.

On my last boat 8 hours of running the refrig was about it for being about to start both engines without assist from the other engine. So yes, that's why it didn't start. Also, you don't really want to run deep cell batteries all that low before recharging them. They really don't like it.

Yes, if you have a Gen, let it run.... They need to run anyway or the thing stops working. Not sure why, but if you don't use them they stop working.... I guess its a boating thing.