Power Question...

A

azson15

New Member
Apr 20, 2007
17
Michigan
Hi Everyone,

I just took delivery of my first boat...a 1996 240 Sundancer.

I was working on the boat all day yesterday, listening to music and using the lights with shorepower plugged in, and my batteries died.

The only thing I can think of is that the shorepower is only for the outlets, not the stereo, lights, etc...

If this is the case, what do you recommend I install in order to be able to sit at my slip for countless hours sipping on cocktails listening to music without my batteries dying?

Thanks,
Jeff
 
I assume the boat has a battery charger. You need to make sure this is turned on when connected to shore power. It keeps the batteries charged while still providing 12v current to your stereo, lights, etc. Check your AC panel to make sure the switch is on.

When the engine runs, the alternator does the same job. With the engine off, you need the battery charger running when you have shore power on.

Esteban
 
Well I am sure there is someone with your boat on this site but if you were talking about my boat I would check to see that the shore power switch was turned on also check to see if the inverter was working and, check all breakers. Just my .02. :thumbsup:
 
On my boat, there is a charger that blinks with a green light when you have shore power connect. It should be close to the batteries.
 
Thanks for the help. I'm not sure if the boat has a charger or not.

If not, does anyone have a brand/size recommendation? The boat has 30A shorepower.

Thanks,
 
Sea Ray uses Guest charges on the 260, and I assume others in the line (240, 280). Mine has 2 banks, and it has the Guest 2622A OEM. It provides 10A to each bank at full charge, and it's 3 stages so it lowers this as the battery gets closer to 100%.

http://www.marinco.com/scpt/ProdPage.php?loadItem=2622A_Guest Recreational

However, I'm 99% sure your boat came with a charger from the factory, assuming shore power was also done at the factory.

Esteban
 
I was looking at the Owner's and Parts manual for the 1996 240 and was not able to find a reference to the charger. Maybe your boat doesn't have one.

Look in the bilge near the batteries.

Look also for a "charger" switch in the 110v AC panel (where you can turn it on/off).

Wait to see if another 1990s 240 owner replies. If there is no charger, I think your two options are to (1) add a charger, or (2) increase your battery bank capacity (a 2nd battery in parallel for example).

Esteban
 
On my 240 the battery charger is on the starboard side and my batteries are on the port side. So, it doesn't really have to be that close to them.
 
If the boat has shore power it has a converter. Make sure the converter breaker is on, it's located on the 115v side of the cabin breaker panel.
 
Thanks, that's the information I was looking for...

My boat has no converter breaker switch, so it looks like I'll be adding a charger this weekend.

Thanks for all the replies.

Jeff
 
Related question, albeit a dumb one:Should the stereo work on shore power or is it strictly ran by the batteries?
 
I can't speak for your boat, but my stereo and lights work off the batteries. Shorepower only makes my outlets work.

Your stereo question is the reason why I started this link, since my batteries died while listening to my stereo plugged in to shorepower.
 
There are some devices on a boat that operate on 12v... most lights, stereo, water pump. And others that need 110v... AC and microwave for example. Very few (I'm only aware of one) can run on both (either)... dual voltage fridges.

The question then is where do we get 12v and 110v from? 12v normally comes from the batteries, while 110v comes from an generator, shore power, or an inverter. Most boats with shore power will also have a battery charger and converter which provides 12v to the appliances that need it, while keeping the batteries charged (so you don't drain them w/out running the engine).

So to answer the question, the stereo (assuming it's a normal car/boat unit) runs on 12v. Power is provided by the batteries, or by the charger/converter when on shore power (if you have one).

Esteban
 
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