Mid Hibernation Visit

[denpooch]

The good news is that in about 90 days from now (actually sounds better then saying 3 months from now..doesn't it? ) and she'll be back where she belongs!
Midway through the hiberbnation and time to 'top off' the batteries. I purchased 2 new batteries in the beginning of 2018 season which are both ASM technology.
I purchased one new deep cycle house battery the beginning of 2017 season and will likely change out the remaining two older units (pushing 5 years) in about 80 days! They were all between 70% and 84% of capacity after about 3 months on the hard.
The reason for 5 batteries: 1 house, 1 generator, 2 x engine starter with a second unit in series with the starboard starter battery for the bow thruster. Both of those are ASM's which are good for starter/bow duty due to their ability to punch out power and recover quickly.
The fever is beginning to strike!

Wrapped.jpg

Charger.1.jpg

Charger.2.jpg

[Midnightsun]

So true with the 90 days sounding real close in comparison.

I have a problem when it comes to topping off the batteries during the winter as the boat will not accept anything but 220v for shore power and therefor I cannot plug in to top off. My solution will be to install a separate 4 bank charger to handle all 4 banks with a recessed 110v inlet which is almost always available when on the hard. I do have a Noco 40a unit like this https://no.co/gen4 and did purchase the receptacle https://no.co/gcp1 Actually was supposed to install this before the winter but never found the time. This is just on of my once again overboard installations which will protect my rather expensive house bank as I plan on adding an additional 2x L16 trojans next year so I end up with a 870ah house bank.

[waybomb]

Is that cinder blocks under the keel????? Yikes!
That's not safe. Use wood next year. Cinder blocks fail. They support the boat. The stands only steady it.
If your marina won't provide wood, make your own and keep them at your house when you are not in storage.

[bud37]

Source of the post Is that cinder blocks under the keel????? Yikes!
That's not safe. Use wood next year. Cinder blocks fail. They support the boat. The stands only steady it.
If your marina won't provide wood, make your own and keep them at your house when you are not in storage.

+1

Very nice shrink job, all the way to the antifoul.....nice.....

[Cooler]

Really? You're thinking 89 days? I am jealous. We will still have ice chunks floatin' around. Oh well, good for you guys! I'm installing a bigger battery charger on Saturday, last owner had a little 10 Amp charger that worked intermittently. Also going to do the contortionist job of changing plugs. No idea how long the last set have been in there. Ran fine though. The engines might be shocked when they have the properly gaped plugs. (.045 instead of .035 ) Finally - the underwater lights, mounted to trim tabs. I will be hoping for splashing 24 days after you. But every day is one less to wait. er

[mjk1040]

Can't you just plug in your shore power line and use your onboard charger? Nice shrink job BTW, did they use any framing at all or just shrink it as it was?

[denpooch]

Hey guys. Sorry for delayed response. The admiral and I are spending a few (coldish) days in Newport, RI. LOTS of boats!
MJK: tried plugging in to the boats main chargers using an adapter from their standard 3 prong outlet to the boats connection. Blows the gfi each time.
Bud: Yea I am happy with the shrink wrap job. A bit pricey ($950) but the work is good. I 'take care' of the guys doing the work and they do their best.
Waybomb: As far as cinder blocks. That's standard practice in our neck of the woods but your concern makes sense of you have had experience with that. I will measure it up and form some block of wood. Thanks for the heads up.

[denpooch]

MJ.... they DO use framing and take care to protect and items mounted on the arch with additional 'mini framing'.

[extraextra]

Hi, question regarding the charging. I have a 2005 444, and tried to use the adapter/converter from 50A to 15A so that I can plug into the power are the boat yard to charge them up using the boats internal charger. No go, wouldn't work. When you connected the charger (assuming your batteries are in parallel) how did you connect it, plus & minus from the charger directly to the first battery and let the parallel do its thing?
Thanks
Tom

[bud37]

Source of the post Hi, question regarding the charging. I have a 2005 444, and tried to use the adapter/converter from 50A to 15A so that I can plug into the power are the boat yard to charge them up using the boats internal charger. No go, wouldn't work. When you connected the charger (assuming your batteries are in parallel) how did you connect it, plus & minus from the charger directly to the first battery and let the parallel do its thing?
Thanks
Tom

Question....what voltage is your 50 amps cord at....?