[Rhodes22-list] Owners manual for newer boat Solar panel thoughts, may be above my pay grade.

[Ellner]

Gregg MacMillan wrote:
> On Jan 9, 2010, at 12:10 PM, Ellner wrote:
>   
>>  I am looking for a newer version of the owners manual.
>>     
>
>   

Thanks for your effort. That is what I was looking for. The manual is 
always a good read, especially during the off season  There are a few 
differences from the 1988 version.   I plan on changing to the "vertical 
cam cleat" on the main out haul line on the boom.  On my boat has the 
main furling line secures to the small cleats on the bottom of the 
boom.  I have considered a cam or clam cleat.  How are  the newer boats 
rigged?  

I would like to read the owners manual for the solar panels if there is 
one.   As I understand it one panel goes directly to #1 battery (front 
battery)  and the other  goes to the rear battery.#2.   I also have a 
battery selector switch; position choices. off, both, #1, #2.  I am 
thinking to save one battery from the other battery going bad (ie.not 
holding a charge)one should turn the battery switch to off when not 
using the boat.  Otherwise  one panel would be charging battery A and 
the other panel would be charging battery B but if the selector switch 
is in the "both" position the bad battery would be drawing off the good 
battery leaving both batteries discharged.  Does that sound reasonable?
If the selector switch is  at #1 OR #2 OR off position the good battery 
would accept and hold a charge and the bad battery would not. In that 
case the "good battery' would have and hold a charge and the "bad 
battery" might take a charge, or not, and not hold a charge.  My 
situation is; My outboard is a manual start so a starting battery is not 
needed.  I have two gp 27 deep cycle batteries on boat. One was new and 
the other was an older battery.  Typically I did not turn the battery 
selector to the "off" position. At one  time I had turned the selector  
to "off" when I left the boat.  The next time I was on the boat I 
thought I had a total power failure. Much later in my search for the 
problem I turned the switch to another position other than off. Who 
would have ever thought ...!!    

The first sign I  noticed I was having battery problems was when early 
in the morning while getting the boat ready to leave the mooring  I 
would turn the marine radio and the GPS/fish finder on.  Either they 
would not work or the gps would give me a low battery alert.  I would 
turn them both off and go sailing.  Later one or both would work.  I 
think at that time the sun had gotten high enough to produce enough 
power to run one or both of them. I don't thing either of them have much 
of an electrical draw.  The batteries may accept a charge but probably 
would not hold a charge for long.  

 What I did wrong.    I should not have mixed a new battery with an 
older one.  I should have turned the battery switch to "off" when not on 
the boat. That would have isolated the "bad" battery sooner.  Instead of 
thinking I had a bad battery I was thinking the solar panels were 
drawing off  the battery charge at night. That would not be possible 
because of the diodes.  What I did 
right.................................I am still thinking!!

To make a long story short.. too late for that. Whew.   Does anyone have 
any thoughts on this situation?    I have a bad case of cabin fever. 

Thanks

Rod Ellner
Toy Blew 1987/2009
 


> I'm pretty sure this is the most current version:
>
> http://files.me.com/macmillan/jcolub
>
> --Gregg
>
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