Electrically Challenged, Need Help (long)

[montenido]

Hi all.

I was following several great threads regarding batteries and charging/wiring systems, but still need to ask some questions. As background, I was out last week motor sailing with the battery switch set to the house bank. When I cleared the harbor I killed the engine and all my electronics promptly died. With the wind approaching 20 knots and me being solo, I switched to the starting battery and fired up the engine. Nice, as I didn't want to sail into my slip single-handed
Anyway, I knew I had some electrical issues but had no time to look at it. I made it down to Wild Wind today and looked at what was happening. The short version is that my 3 new house batteries had all boiled dry. I'm not kidding, I added at least 2 1/2 gallons of distilled water to them (group 24s). Don't know if I killed them for good or not, they are charging now.
Oddly enough, I had already ordered a new battery charger (Iota 30) and Echocharger to sort things out, but the parts have not yet arrived.
So what is the problem? Looking around it appears that my boat has the original (1988) battery charger, which may not be floating once the batteries reach full charge. Not only that, but it appears to be charging three sets of batteries. When I purchased her, I was told that she had a house and starting battery in the salon, with an additional house battery in the port lazerette. What I see now is that the port house battery was wired directly to the refrigeration unit as well as the other house battery, with both having separate charging inputs. Yikes!
Here is my plan - I am going to remove the port-side batteries (now there are two, don't ask) and relocate them into the salon, grouping all three house batteries close together. My new charger will go just to the house bank. The back-up battery will be moved forward, and will be charged by the Echocharger. I will run #8 wiring to the refrigeration unit per specs for the distance and load, tied to the house bank with a 20A breaker. The new charger will go in the cabin also, requiring much shorter runs of cable.

Okay, now is the time for suggestions. What else should I be considering? My biggest question is this - have I killed my new batteries already? Having been really busy lately, I don't know how long they have been dry and still charging. Hit me with your best shots. Thanks in advance. I will post pics and results soon.

Cheers, Bill

[peikenberry]

Sounds like a classic case of overcharging. Overcharging gets the battery hot and cooks off the electrolyte.

It's probably your old charger. Those old chargers weren't very smart, they just kept pumping electrons into the battery and if you weren't monitoring it they would cook a battery.

Yes they may well be fried. Put a good 3 stage smart charger on them and see what happens. Or you can take them out, haul them down to any auto store and they will test them for you.

Frankly I think it's not a good idea to put batteries and chargers in the main saloon. Batteries outgas. All batteries, even those supposedly sealed batteries. They need to be in a well ventilated space away from any sources of ignition.

Grouping your batteries is good but remember they weigh a lot. Think about weight distribution.

[scottyt]

what was said above, but i would also check you alt, if the regulator not working it could be putting out 24 volts or more.

sounds like it is time for new batteries, why risk another no power situation

[Maine Sail]

2 1/2 gallons of distilled water? Ouch!!!! I don't see any possible way they are coming back to life. I'd be curious to know what the output voltage of that charger was? I have seen wet cell batts go for a long, long time on 14.2-14.4V so I'd suspect yours were well over 14.6 for a 24/7 type duration..

Even with a "smart" charger I am not of the thinking that I leave it on 24/7 with no real need to. Top them up and turn it off. If in a hot climate and you have wets top them up every few weeks and they will do just fine. I have seen far to many battery chargers fail and do crazy things. Because of this I can't justify leaving any charger on continuously.

Sounds like a new bank & new charger are going to be the best course of action..

[sailingdog]

2.5 Gallons to three Group 24 batteries. They're probably done. The plates are likely sulphated from being dry for an extended period of time.

[montenido]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to the boat this morning. I will see if the batteries even took a charge. Too bad, I just bought them this summer. I will install the new charger and Echocharger today while I am there.
How do I check if my alternator is a problem?

Thanks, Bill