CD25 battery system. HELP

[Tom Foley]

I have two relatively new batteries(deep cycle) on my CD25. After no use for two months the batteries are dead. I do not have an alternator on my Mariner 8hp outboard. Short of carrying the batteries from my mooring to home and recharging, do you hve any suggestions? I thought of going to small lights with 2 D cell batteries and a hand held radio. Any suggestions would be very welcome.
Thanks
Tom Foley
"Heather" in Kennebunk



alewifehouse@mainecoast.net

[eric]

You really should get an engine with an alternator. Otherwise you will be going through batteries at an expensive and frustrating pace. Otherwise take them home with you each time you leave the boat and get a charge on them. Maybe you could always have one at home charging and one on the boat working.

Eric
CD 25 # 602
"Allia"
Manchester, MA

I have two relatively new batteries(deep cycle) on my CD25. After no use for two months the batteries are dead. I do not have an alternator on my Mariner 8hp outboard. Short of carrying the batteries from my mooring to home and recharging, do you hve any suggestions? I thought of going to small lights with 2 D cell batteries and a hand held radio. Any suggestions would be very welcome.
Thanks
Tom Foley
"Heather" in Kennebunk

ewoodman@lycos.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>After no use for two months the batteries are dead.<<

Something's not right. My batteries hold a charge all winter with no use.

In any case, you need a way to recharge. A solar panel might be an option. You have to measure your consumption against what you can expect to recharge.

>>I thought of going to small lights with 2 D cell batteries and a hand held radio.<<

A handheld radio is always a good idea as a backup.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Ed Haley]

Something is definitely wrong as Neil indicates. My guess is that you had probably somehow hooked up the batteries in parallel even though you had no draw on them when away from the boat. Even though both batteries are fully charged, no two batteries have exactly the same potential (voltage). When you were away from your boat (and the batteries were connected in parallel) the slightly higher potential battery was trying to charge the slightly lower potential battery. It was a hopeless task resulting in discharged batteries.



eghaley@twcny.rr.com

[Tom Foley]

I don't think this is the problem. The batteries are attached to a switch that has settings of off-1-2-both. The switch has been in the off position.. Thanks for all your thoughts.
Tom

Something is definitely wrong as Neil indicates. My guess is that you had probably somehow hooked up the batteries in parallel even though you had no draw on them when away from the boat. Even though both batteries are fully charged, no two batteries have exactly the same potential (voltage). When you were away from your boat (and the batteries were connected in parallel) the slightly higher potential battery was trying to charge the slightly lower potential battery. It was a hopeless task resulting in discharged batteries.

alewifehouse@mainecoast.net