[Rhodes22-list] 12 or 24V?

[Rob Lowe]

I've been charging up the boat battery on my auto charger and took it over to the boat because I wanted to test the mast lighting before raising the mast next week.  The battery tested at 13V or so at home and when I hooked up the mast light cable to the battery using jumpers, the mast lights did light, but very dimly.  I rechecked the battery voltage and it had dropped to 7V or so.  So, the battery is probably shot and needs to be replaced.

However, on further examination, I find the battery is rated at 24V.  First time I've ever even noticed it.  When in the boat, the battery test meter usually reads around 13V, which probably results from the solar powered charger I use to keep the battery charged.  But apparently is not been fully charging the battery up to its capacity, just to the voltage that the solar panel will provide.  We used very little power on the boat, just lighting and that's even minimal since we only day sail.  

So my question is, do other boats have 24V systems?  Or did my PO just put in the wrong battery?  I'm planning on just putting in a 12V battery unless someone convinces me otherwise.  Obviously the 12V system works since that's what the battery has been charged to.  Thanks - rob

Rob Lowe
S/V Getaway ' 76