Battery & Battery Charger

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I have a couple of questions regarding batteries and battery charging. I have searched and read several other threads on related topics. When leaving the boat, I normally turn everthing off, except the cabin fridge (which runs on 110 when on shore power) and the cockpit fridge (which is 12V only...not sure why a dual voltage cockpit fridge was not put in)...battery charger/converter left on (since cockpit fridge is 12V) and battery switches on. Two weekends ago..checked the water level in 3 of the batteries (I have 4, but one appears to be totally sealed). All needed some water...so I topped them off. Came back to the boat a week later...and checked them again...and 1 of the batteries, needed water....so I topped it off. The battery that needed is on the port side...2 batteries are connected together. I think the port side batteries are the house batteries and the port starting. This seems like too much water to me. The batteries are about 2 years old...and are cranking batteries, not deep cycle. Also...2 times recently after being on the hook for 3-4 hours the CO alarm will start chirping...and I assume the batteries are getting low...so I start the genset and charge the batteries.

How often does water need to be added to batteries? How do you know or how can you test if you charger is not working properly or is "cooking" your batteries. The owners manual says to leave the charger/converter on all of the time to maintain the 12 volt system voltage.

If I need to replace...deep cycle and starting should not be connected together..right?
Wouldn’t a deed cycle be a better fit for the house battery?


Thanks for the input...

 

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Anyone???? Any suggestions??

 

[mawyatt]

Don't parallel (connect) different type batteries together, you should not even parallel a new and old battery together of the same type. You should not have to top off more than once a month if the charger is the newer type that measures the battery voltage to determine level of charge (so it will not over charge), and everything is OK.

I believe you should have deep discharge marine/rv batteries and not auto types. With 2 in parallel the deep discharge batteries have enough cold cranking amps total to start your engine, so no real need for the auto types which tend not to hold up well when deep discharged.

You may just need a good set of marine deep discharge batteries.

Mike

 

[eskimo]

I have one crank battery (auto type) and two deep cycle. I have put in a relay that when engine is running it paralells the three batteries, and when I turn off the engine it isolates the crank battery always leaving it fully charged.

 

[Nehalennia]

........ How do you know or how can you test if you charger is not working properly or is "cooking" your batteries. The owners manual says to leave the charger/converter on all of the time to maintain the 12 volt system voltage.

If I need to replace...deep cycle and starting should not be connected together..right?
Wouldn’t a deed cycle be a better fit for the house battery?


Thanks for the input...

Sounds like you have an older charger that may be boiling the batts.
What kind of charger is it?

 

[Bottom Line]

Sounds like you have an older charger that may be boiling the batts.
What kind of charger is it?

Todd...I have the Flyback....its a 2002...so it should be the newer "smart" charger. I didnt get any responses for a day or so, so I PM'd Frank Webster....he provided me some great information.

How do you like your new charger? I really like your display with your charger.

The batts are a little over 2 years old...and maybe nearing the end of thier useful life.