House batteries

[frshjus]

Lovin my recently purchased 2009 R21EC. I am a little confused however. It has one battery for engine start, one for air conditioner, and two house batteries. Everything is charging fine. When I am not plugged in and just at anchor and I shut off the engine the stereo, lights, gps, everything shuts down after about 2 minutes? Batteries read 12.8 volts. Should'nt you be able to be at anchor with engine off and utilize the house batteries without the engine running? The main switch is on.

Tom

 

[pugtug613]

Is your "main" switch on at the DC panel? Is your battery switch "house" bank on?

 

[SGIDAVE]

Lovin my recently purchased 2009 R21EC. I am a little confused however. It has one battery for engine start, one for air conditioner, and two house batteries. Everything is charging fine. When I am not plugged in and just at anchor and I shut off the engine the stereo, lights, gps, everything shuts down after about 2 minutes? Batteries read 12.8 volts. Shouldn't you be able to be at anchor with engine off and utilize the house batteries without the engine running? The main switch is on.

Tom

Hello Tom,

Welcome to Tugnuts. This is a great online group of Tug enthusiasts.

Do you know if your 2009 21EC is "stock" as concerns the electrical system?

My understanding is that the factory AC is set up to run off TWO batterys whilst the engine has ONE start batttery and the house has ONE battery. The house and start batteries are under the engine box and the AC batteries are in the AFT/PORT seat.

There should be Blue Sea Automatic Charging Relays (ACR) which automatically combine the batteries so they get charged then separate them as they discharge to ultimately protect the start battery (and keep it from getting discharged by house or other loads).

If all the 'stock' wiring is unaltered and sound, it may be your house battery is bad. After unplugging the boat from the charger and with the engine OFF, check the voltage at EACH battery. Let things 'sit' for 20 minutes or so after removing all charging sources before you check.

Let us know what you find.

/dave

 

[frshjus]

Thanks pugtug. The main switch is on, where is the "house" battery switch?

Tom

 

[pugtug613]

I don't know?? I have an R27. I never saw a boat, with a cabin and lights and such, without a switch. You should be able to turn your house bank on and off. Follow the wires from the battery and you should find it.
If not, check the voltage like the previous post suggested. If you have less than 12.6 vDC after 30 minutes from a charge, not good. If you see 12.2 or something like that, turn on a bunch of lights and stuff. Check it under load. If it drops drastically, say 10.0 vDC, that's not good either.

 

[frshjus]

Main switch is on, house batteries read 12.9 after 45 minutes, but as I said nothing is running so there is no load. There must be a house battery switch. This boat has not been altered from the factory. Any wiring diagrams available? Have hunted for switch, only found a breaker which is not tripped. Batteries are new and topped off. :?:

 

[Pearl]

There is an owner's manual for the R21 under "Ranger Factory Technical Bulletins" The main switch is the house switch on the R21 which is located in the compartment next to the fridge. Seems like a bad battery, but not sure. Good luck

 

[frshjus]

Thanks Pearl, the main switch is on. Batteries read 12.9 volts. I think it may be an isolator or relay.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Main switch is on, house batteries read 12.9 after 45 minutes, but as I said nothing is running so there is no load. There must be a house battery switch. This boat has not been altered from the factory. Any wiring diagrams available? Have hunted for switch, only found a breaker which is not tripped. Batteries are new and topped off. :?:

Hello Tom,

In the stock configuration, there is a Blue Sea rotary switch under the console right below the throttle/shifter control. You must get on hands and knees to operate the switch. If left on, the stereo's memory circuit will drain the house battery in a week or so. The switch inside that cabinet is the ONLY battery switch. The start battery CANNOT be turned off nor can the house battery cable between the engine box and the console switch (I mention above) be DE-energised.

So, when you loose house power and the lights and electronics quit, the house battery still reads 12.8V? What does the voltage measure on the line AND load sides of the battery switch under the throttle/shifter (when power has failed)?

We can track this down if you have a VOM.

/david

 

[frshjus]

Thanks Guys,
Will check on the suggestions. Left for a fishing trip in Northern Michigan. Will report on return.

Tom