Batteries?

[Rob_boater]

The batteries worked fine all last season and up until this past weekend. Its like all of a sudden someone removed one of the batteries and replaced the last working one with an old battery. 

the boat is stored in a slip that is plugged in all the time.

[Capt Ron]

That's a good sign your deep cycle batteries are ending their useful life. You didn't say the age of your batteries? I have a fast hard rule through many years of experience in anchoring out. At the end of every second season I throw the deep cycle batteries out. I know that the third year will do exactly what's happening to you now. I only replace the cranking batteries when they stop performing. They tend to outlast at least two to three sets of deep cycles before needing replacement normally due to age. I know some people will sound off how their batteries last years, however, many run their generators so much that who needs deep cycles. Just my option from someone who been there before.

[Rob_boater]

I have 2 Group 27 house batteries.  One is 2.5 years old and the other 1.5 years old (Added last spring).

[Hamdog]

I think your issue is you replaced only one battery last year. When batteries are hooked in tandem and only one is replaced, the new battery becomes just like the one that was not replaced. So you essentially have two batteries that act like they are 2.5 years old. Time to replace both.

Thanks.

[Rob_boater]

I guess I will have to.  I hope I can hold off until next year.  Do not want to by batteries for a month or 2 before I put it away for the winter.

Looks like no more overnights on the hook this year.

Going to be expensive.

[dazeoff]

go on the net and check out AGM  batteries ... more bucks  but will last for 10 years . charge fast and deliver power for a longer duration .....NO acid . ..A typical house battery starts to weaken at 70% power remaining ...

[jjlovett]

So is it worth going from a single house battery, to two in parallel, increasing size on the batts (grp 24 -> grp 27 or grp 27 -> grp 29) or just going to a 4D or 8D AGM? How would all of this affect the alternator and the batt charger?

[Black_Diamond]

If you look to go to AGM type batteries, make SURE your charger is compatible.  You'll ruin the AGMs with a normal charger.  If you were replacing the charger to begin with, getting the new ones that can detect and charge correctly is the way to go, then you upgrade your batteries when their time is due.  Otherwise your lay out a lot of money for AGMs and a new charger to suite.  just my .02 on that part.

[Seacups]

Not directly related to your problem, but we bought a new 2007 320 EC and on the first time out, I lost all power and needed a jump! The boat has two starter batteris and two house batteries, I got back to the dock and discoverewd that the house batteries were never connected to the charger from the factory, everytyhing was running off the started batteries! I had to have a cable made to connect it properly! Just one of many issues I've had owning a NEW boat.

In 3 years (or less):

New freshwater water pump
Replaced black water tank (had a crack and leaked)
New XDP drive bellows
Leaking drive oil in both drives, replaced shift shaft seals
Generator impeller went bad with less than 50 hours
New control board in Kohler Generator
Repainted peeling gelcoat in bilge (fun!!)
Lowrance GPS display flickers (still trying to figure this one out)
Repaired peeling gelcoat under swim platform (needs to be done again when I pull it out this year)
Both engines (Volvo 5.0) kept "throwing" belts and overheated, steering pump brackets out of alignment
MANY canvas repairs due to poor quality, zippers, fit etc.
Light still does not work in cockpit refridgerator (yes I've replaced the bulb!)
Countless stress cracks in cockpit and swim platform

Yes this was a new boat!

[Just in Time]

you bought it new??? I would have brought it back to the dealer...there must be a lemon law for boats

[Dream 'Inn]

Not directly related to your problem, but we bought a new 2007 320 EC and on the first time out, I lost all power and needed a jump! The boat has two starter batteris and two house batteries, I got back to the dock and discoverewd that the house batteries were never connected to the charger from the factory, everytyhing was running off the started batteries! I had to have a cable made to connect it properly! Just one of many issues I've had owning a NEW boat.

In 3 years (or less):

New freshwater water pump
Replaced black water tank (had a crack and leaked)
New XDP drive bellows
Leaking drive oil in both drives, replaced shift shaft seals
Generator impeller went bad with less than 50 hours
New control board in Kohler Generator
Repainted peeling gelcoat in bilge (fun!!)
Lowrance GPS display flickers (still trying to figure this one out)
Repaired peeling gelcoat under swim platform (needs to be done again when I pull it out this year)
Both engines (Volvo 5.0) kept "throwing" belts and overheated, steering pump brackets out of alignment
MANY canvas repairs due to poor quality, zippers, fit etc.
Light still does not work in cockpit refridgerator (yes I've replaced the bulb!)
Countless stress cracks in cockpit and swim platform

Yes this was a new boat!

About 2/3 of them don't surprise me one bit.  Buying new when it comes to boats does not mean it will be good to go like a car.  This is only one of the main reasons I would never buy new.  (& yes, I am sorry to hear about it and I'm don't want this to come across as preaching).   As far as impeller, it's not hours on it that will wear it out, its age.  If you haven't changed out your impellers on your engines, you are definitely due.  If you don't, you will have plenty more to write about as well.  God luck with your other issues.

[Seacups]

The dealer took care of some of the problems warrenties covered others, but the one I'm still working on is the drive leaking issue and I'm out of warranty.