Vessel Shutdown

[R Baker]

I'm new to the forum as I am to a 2012 Ranger 29. In over 40 years of boating; both sail and power, I have never experienced a boat as technically complex as this. Hence a general question or two if I may: (more detailed ones I suspect in due course)
1. When leaving the boat for a week or two is it common practice to turn all 6 battery switches off ?
2. I have always in such times of leaving the boat, closed all sea cocks. Is this still a common practice ?
In other words a complete shutdown when away from the boat.
Thanks, RB

 

[NorthernFocus]

I have a similar background and completely agree. these boats are very complex. that said, good seamanship hasn't changed. secure is secure. I treat this one the same as any.

 

[knotflying]

I shut everything down and close the seacocks when the boat is in the slip. I will leave the house batteries on to keep the refrigerator running, but all other breakers are off.

 

[Barry Cohen]

In line with this thread, I still am not clear in my mind about something:

If the battery switches are off, and the battery charger is on (at the slip hooked up to shore power), will they charge? Or do the switches need to be on?

I should know this, but not sure.

 

[NorthernFocus]

...If the battery switches are off, and the battery charger is on (at the slip hooked up to shore power), will they charge? Or do the switches need to be on?...

Unless your boat is wired differently they will charge. The standard install is for the charger to be connected directly to the batteries. So the position of the disconnect switch doesn't matter. It's actually a good idea to charge with all loads isolated.

 

[knotflying]

Barry,
I have heard that some of the boats need to have the battery switch on and some do not. I have not checked mine out to see how mine is wired. However, if you have the solar panel that definitely will be charging without the battery switch on, but if you leave your refrigerator on it won't keep up with the discharge.

 

[Osprey]

It is true that there are some wiring differences between various Rangers. For example, several posters have stated that the alternator on their tug is wired to the starting battery with the ACRs providing connection to the remaining batteries. On my 2012 R27 the alternator is wired the house set then to the others via the ACRs.
So now to the question: "On your Ranger will the battery charger charge the batteries when all the battery switches are off?" There is a way simple test for this. Turn off all the battery switches and all DC circuit breakers. Now power up the battery charger, and then look at the current out display on the charger. If there is a few A or more of current out then the answer is "yes".

 

[SGIDAVE]

"On your Ranger will the battery charger charge the batteries when all the battery switches are off?" There is a way simple test for this. Turn off all the battery switches and all DC circuit breakers. Now power up the battery charger, and then look at the current out display on the charger. If there is a few A or more of current out then the answer is "yes".

Output displayed on the battery charger only tells you it is doing SOMETHING; but you don't know which bank/s are getting recharge. A SIMPLE additional step is to check voltage (with your VOM you keep in your onboard kit) at each battery or bank to see WHICH battery/s are being charged. If the battery voltage reads over 13V then you know it is receiving a charge.

Fair winds and understanding your charger,

dave

 

[knotflying]

Here is a question, if you are getting a charge to the batteries won't the ACR's status lights be on? Hence, see what happens when the switches are off.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Here is a question, if you are getting a charge to the batteries won't the ACR's status lights be on? Hence, see what happens when the switches are off.

If the switches are ON then yes the green LED should glow. The batteries will charge as one large bank since they are all connected via ACRs. With switches OFF they may still charge as one bank DEPENDING upon the locations of the ACRs to the switches. If the switches come before the ACRs then the batteries should charge separate from one another to take advantage of the "smart" multi bank capability of your charger.

Knowing IF your batteries are being charged is right up there in importance with knowing if the engine has enough oil and fuel, that safety gear is onboard and functional, etc. Even if you SEE charger leads going to each battery, the inline fuse could be blown so no charging occurs. Therefore it's imperative you put the leads of your VOM on each battery's terminals to see if they are being charged under each of these circumstances (switches ON v OFF).

Fair winds

dave