280 Sundancer - Questions

[Paperking]

Hello

We have just recived our 2008 280 Sundancer this past weekend. I am new to boating and have enjoyed reading these forums. (Lots of Knowledge here)

Please help.

What do you leave on when the boat is plugged in to shore power? Either overnight or perhaps a full week. Do you leave any batteries on?

What does the key and buttons in the head do? Still confused on how to operate properly.

Appreciate your thoughts...

 

[gsmallwood]

I turn both batteries off when leaving. I leave the Heat/AC on. I keep burner eye and hot water heater off all the time unless i'm using it. The key in the head activates the vacu flush. Turn it on when flushing.

 

[JimT]

I leave both batteries switched to on when I leave the boat connected to shore power. Many different opinions on this one. Do a search for more information.
On the Main Distribution Panel 120 V AC switches I leave the Shore power on, Outlets/Refrig on, the AC convertor on and the Air Conditioner on. All 12 V DC switches are turned off.

 

[Tonka Boater]

I leave both batteries switched to on when I leave the boat connected to shore power. Many different opinions on this one. Do a search for more information.
On the Main Distribution Panel 120 V AC switches I leave the Shore power on, Outlets/Refrig on, the AC convertor on and the Air Conditioner on. All 12 V DC switches are turned off.

Ditto. When connected to shore power I leave all AC switches on except for the water heater and stove. I leave all DC switches off.

As previously mentioned, the key in the head is for the vacuflush. I turn off the vacuflush when I am away from the boat and I turn it on before I depart for the day.

 

[Woody]

I turn the DC battery switches and DC breakers off. The only AC breakers I leave on are for the items I want to run while I'm gone.

 

[wvsundancer]

I turn off everything on the DC side. I will leave my battery charger on during the weekend. Leave the fridge on all the time during the summer. I leave my AC on most of the time during the summer. The owner of the marina does not like it because it uses to much power. But he has not kicked me out yet !!

 

[BAP]

I always leave the refrigerator on 110 & 12v , you never know when some clown is going to pull the plug. You don't want the chicken salad to go bad :huh:

 

[Bridog]

DC panel. I turn off all DC switches and turn off the batteries. If ( more likely when) you accidentally become disconnected from shore power you won't kill your batteries with the refrigerator or anything else you may have left on. Keep in mind the bilge pumps will still work with the batteries turned off. AC panel. I leave on the AC converter switch (battery charger) and the outlets/ refrigerator switch. Some people will also leave the AC/Heat on in a "dehumidify mode" but I have found that I do not need to, even in the humid Summer months where we live.

 

[Bridog]

I always leave the refrigerator on 110 & 12v , you never know when some clown is going to pull the plug. You don't want the chicken salad to go bad :huh:

Chicken salad is cheaper to replace than a new battery.

 

[Presentation]

Did you find the secret storage compartment in the mid birth yet?

How about the secret support leg under the cockpit’s port lounger?

 

[PMC]

Did you find the secret storage compartment in the bid birth yet?

Not much of secret anymore....:grin:

 

[dprvashon]

Paperking....Hi...not sure this is of help on your question of turning off batteries.
With your Mercruiser and Bravo III, you have a Mercathode systems to reduce electrolysis. This along with your zincs, will greatly help eliminate corrosion. As I understand things, since the mercathode system is directly connected to and runs off the batteries, turning them off will (usually) not have an effect on the system and it will continue to function and drain your batteries. Therefore, you should stay plugged into shore power with your charger on. See: http://www.sterndrives.com/mercathode.html

From the Mercury website:

The Mercury Precision MerCathode system provides automatic protection against galvanic corrosion. It is a solid-state device that operates off a boat's 12-volt battery and provides protection by impressing a reverse blocking current that stops the destructive flow of galvanic currents. If your power package does not come already equipped with a MerCathode system, Mercury strongly recommends that you install one, particularly if your boat is equipped with a stainless steel propeller or other submerged stainless steel hardware [Bravo sterndrives are also equipped with a MerCathode]

Dave

 

[derekf]

PMC..... gotta ask whats with the bottle of antifreeze in your signature?

 

[PMC]

PMC..... gotta ask whats with the bottle of antifreeze in your signature?

I'll have the bottle of "pink stuff" removed from my sig, when I de-winterize and splash the boat this Saturday. :grin::grin::smt038:grin::grin:

 

[Bucit]

What and where is this? I thought I found everything. Also, what filler cushions are used when the dinette table is down (mid berth)?

 

[jason78]

What and where is this? I thought I found everything. Also, what filler cushions are used when the dinette table is down (mid berth)?

You use the seat backs from the dinette seats and you should have a spare cushion around that is used for the center.