Battery Wars

[captainmaniac]

Marina currently is checking to see exactly how the 3-bank charger is connected to the individual batteries, then they will check to see what the generator is charging when it's running as it may be only charging its own starter battery.

Setup should be pretty easy to see. For each bank the charger supports there should be a + wire coming out of the charger and going to the + terminal on a battery. Depending on the charger there may also be - wire for each battery going to each battery's - terminal, OR there could be a common - wire from the charger that terminates somewhere (and if that is the case, - terminals for all batteries should also be connected to that same termination point).

[rickalan35]

Setup should be pretty easy to see. For each bank the charger supports there should be a + wire coming out of the charger and going to the + terminal on a battery. Depending on the charger there may also be - wire for each battery going to each battery's - terminal, OR there could be a common - wire from the charger that terminates somewhere (and if that is the case, - terminals for all batteries should also be connected to that same termination point).

Okay, Captain. Thanks

[rnrvmd]

Hi everyone. I am new to the Trojan majesty and confused by the battery situation. I just purchased a 1974 F30 Raider Cruiser.
This boat has four batteries. The switch contains four options, "stop, #2, both, #1." The guy the marina says it should be on "stop" when at the mooring. I attached an 80 Watt solar charger to the port batteries because it appeared that they were all connected. How do I properly operate this boat and switch?

I'm not sure what to do with this switch. I am not sure which batteries do what. When you talk about starting your generator, what generator are you talking about? I don't believe I have a generator on board unless you retrofitted yours or are you starting your engines. Also, the dashboard has a pull out switch marked water pump, is this for the engines or the water system?

Sorry for the naïveté. I have only had the boat a couple weeks. She has been rebuilt from the stringers up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Randy

[rickalan35]

Hi Randy,

First of all, congratulations on the new boat. Rebuilt from the stringers up is a rare scenario and will hopefully pan out to be totally true and thus a boat that will give you years of pleasure. Always liked the timeless lines on the F30's of that vintage. Flybridge or no?

There are some very capable boaters available to you here and I'm sure they'll add their comments about battery hook-ups very soon.

After reading this thread, you're no doubt also aware that I'm not thrilled with the way my new Trojan's batteries are hooked-up and will be changing them soon. I have hired a company that specializes in this function as my marina is not sure about how to do so correctly.

Big D on this site advocates foregoing the battery switch and I tend to agree with that approach. But, all in all still a work in progress at the moment.

..... and yes, any reference to a generator is referring to a separate gasoline powered marine generator which when running provides AC current to the boat's AC systems plus also charges the batteries........all while away from the dock.

Good luck.

Rick

[captainmaniac]

This boat has four batteries. The switch contains four options, "stop, #2, both, #1." The guy the marina says it should be on "stop" when at the mooring. I attached an 80 Watt solar charger to the port batteries because it appeared that they were all connected. How do I properly operate this boat and switch?

I'm not sure what to do with this switch. I am not sure which batteries do what.

Did you have a survey or mechanical inspection done before purchase? If so, what did they say about battery setup, wiring, and engine condition? What is your boating background / experience. Knowing a bit more about you / your boat's background will help us in giving the best advice or explaining things in the right way.

[prowlersfish]

rnrvmd , let me add to the 2 great responses above . The battery set up you have above is not stock Trojan. can you post some photos of the set up ? as far as turn you switch to "stop(?)" when not in use ONLY do this if your bilge pump(s) will still work and your solar charger will working .. if they don't I would do some rewiring . Also are you sure the say stop not off ?

And congrats on the new boat

[rnrvmd]

Nice to hear from you Prowlersfish. Yes, I will post some photos.

Thanks

Randy