Dead batteries :(

[signman91]

OK this is my first time on here so I apologize if I'm violating any protocol. Here's what's happening and I'm wondering if anyone else has ever ran into this problem and could tell me how they permanently solved the problem. I have a 2000 310 Sundancer and last 4th of July my batteries went dead. So I went and purchased 2 new batteries and this seemed to solve the problem EXCEPT 30 days later the new batteries went dead so I charged them and everything seemed to be ok but not true as it turns out. So we put the boat up for the winter and then this spring we tried to go out but once again the the port side battery is dead. So I hired a shop to diagnose the problem and fix the problem permanently. Well $500 later they tell me they replaced a fuse and everything tested fine. Well prior to Memorial weekend we go to the boat and the port battery is dead again so I charge it and we go out for the day. Needless to say over the weekend I replace both batteries again and things seem to be going well for now. However the following week, after replacing both batteries, the port battery goes dead again. Well I complain to the repair shop but can't get my calls returned. Well now I don't want to return to the shop because I can't and don't trust the shop to properly fix the problem. So if somebody could share their experience and or advice on what to do or how to fix this problem I would be very grateful.

 

[rabyers1]

Couple of questions;

1. Do you move your battery switch selector to OFF when you leave your boat?

2. Are you hooked up to shore power when boat is in slip and do you leave your converter on to keep the batteries charged?

 

[skibum]

2 years ago, I kept returning to the marina only to find that I had a dead battery. My boat is forklifted to a rack when I am done using it. One day, I just showed up at the marina to do some work on it, and I found her sitting on the rack with the bilge pump running. The float was sticking. When they drove her across the yard on the forklift, it was shaking the boat and the float switch was getting stuck closed.

 

[keokie]

Do you have the original charger/converter? Is it turned on? Do you keep shorepower hooked up? Do you know how to test your converter?

This should be relatively easy to solve with a volt meter.

Your charger is likely a ProMariner Flyback 20. Check its function and replace if necessary.

Jim at ProMariner can help. He does respond very well and frequents this board.

 

[bigpursuit]

One of the wires attached to a boat battery is for the voltage. It tells the charger(or alternator) how much voltage is at the battery and tells the charger how much power to send to the battery. If that wire is disconnected or damaged the charger will send to much voltage and fry the battery. If you have a volt meter determine how high the voltage is at each battery when the engine is running and when the charger is on at the dock. The fact that the batteries go completly dead means they are being damamaged and not just run down.

 

[Gunn]

...and I found her sitting on the rack with the bilge pump running. The float was sticking.

Same thing happened to me at the start of this season and it was what I immediately thought of when I read the topic and original posting.

Went to my boat and the #1 battery was dead. Very odd. So I started with #2 and went on my way, while charging #1. A couple of weeks later after a hard rainfall I went out to the boat to see if it was OK and I heard a whine. The bilge was empty, but the float was stuck and the bilge pump was running. That #1 battery is a direct connect (with fuse) to my #1 battery, regardless of the switch selector setting. Now I had had my switch to 'BOTH', then both my batteries would have been dead!

 

[ProMariner]

If you are concerned that it is a battery charger issue I would be happy to help. Feel free to call me directly.

Jim Mitchell
603-766-7603
ProMariner

 

[Firerooster]

Yes call Jim. He is the man!

 

[AKBASSKING]

:thumbsup:+10

Call Jim

 

[magster65]

Just a thought... something I found in my 240.
It had the Clarion CDM... same one that Sea Ray used forever it seems. The little cooling fan in that thing keeps running in the summer unless you kill the breaker, not just switch the unit off. It killed my battery a couple times 'til I figured it out. Obviously, if connected to shore power / battery charger this wouldn't kill the battery.

 

[tobnpr]

Sounds to me as though something is draining the battery while you're away from the boat.

I don't think it's a charger issue because you say it charges up fine...but goes dead while the boat's sitting.

Do a careful check and be sure all accessories are off before leaving the boat. As suggested already, turning your battery switches "OFF" should eliminate any battery drain while away. Just double check after doing so that the bilge pumps still operate- they should be direct-wired to the batts.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[billnpat]

Couple of questions;

1. Do you move your battery switch selector to OFF when you leave your boat?

2. Are you hooked up to shore power when boat is in slip and do you leave your converter on to keep the batteries charged?

Switching off the B.S.S. is better to do???

 

[JerryS]

The OP writer asks a question, gets all kinds of responses and then never responds. What's the deal? :huh: