Welcome to Carver Yachts Owners Forum

We are a boating forum for owners of Carver Yachts to enthusiastically discuss all aspects of Carver Boat ownership. Whether you are looking for your first Carver or currently own one, you are sure to feel at home on CarverYachtOwners.com

You are currently viewing our board as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and access our other FREE features. By joining our free community you will have access to searching the forum topics, post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload your own photos and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

Charging 12V house batteries underway

Discussion of batteries, chargers, wiring, generators, distribution panels, battery switches, etc.
User avatar

Topic author United States of America
Trixboat
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 7
Joined: May 14th, 2018, 4:10 pm
Vessel Info: 2005 560 Voyager
Location: Phoenix AZ

Charging 12V house batteries underway

Postby Trixboat » May 14th, 2018, 5:08 pm

Still trying to fully understand DC electrical system on new to us 560 Voyager.
It's my understanding that the 12V house batteries are not charged by the 24V engine electrical system. Thus, we must run the generator to charge house batteries while at sea. This to avoid deep discharge of house batteries from inverter run fridge and freezer. Do I have this right?
It seems like we could install a 24V to 12V transformer (some online retailers call it a converter) so the house batteries are charged when underway. The transformer would need to be disconnected when we are at rest (no shore power). Maybe there are transformers that are smart enough to disconnect when 24V system not getting charged.
TIA for your thoughts and advice!
2005 560 Skylounge
Volvo D12 675 HP

User avatar

United States of America
A Lee
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 25
Joined: April 1st, 2018, 9:53 am
Vessel Info: 2005 56' Voyger
Location: Mississippi
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Charging 12V house batteries underway

Postby A Lee » May 17th, 2018, 8:52 am

Unless there has been a modification to your system, the port engine has 2 alternators and is responsible for charging the house batteries while running. I have the same boat/year and that is the way my is designed.
User avatar

Topic author United States of America
Trixboat
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 7
Joined: May 14th, 2018, 4:10 pm
Vessel Info: 2005 560 Voyager
Location: Phoenix AZ

Re: Charging 12V house batteries underway

Postby Trixboat » May 19th, 2018, 2:54 pm

Thanks for heads up on port engine. I'll investigate. Also have a mechanic coming this week, so I'll get his advice.
2005 560 Skylounge
Volvo D12 675 HP
User avatar

Topic author United States of America
Trixboat
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 7
Joined: May 14th, 2018, 4:10 pm
Vessel Info: 2005 560 Voyager
Location: Phoenix AZ

Re: Charging 12V house batteries underway

Postby Trixboat » May 21st, 2018, 11:40 pm

A Lee -- you are, of course, right that port engine has 12V alternator for house batteries. The survey mechanic threw us on track telling us house had to be charged by genny under way, which made NO sense.
Progress on fixing rear bildge pump float switch and replacing owner's state room shower pump. Yay!
2005 560 Skylounge
Volvo D12 675 HP
User avatar

United States of America
Icango560
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 28
Joined: June 4th, 2020, 8:38 am
Vessel Info: 2004 Carver Voyager 560, 675 Volvo’s.
Location: Guntersville, AL
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Charging 12V house batteries underway

Postby Icango560 » October 5th, 2021, 6:52 am

The fuse for the 12v ALTINATOR is on the firewall behind the starboard engine and hard to see.
User avatar

United States of America
km1125
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 3338
Joined: February 28th, 2017, 6:04 pm
Has thanked: 56 times
Been thanked: 965 times

Re: Charging 12V house batteries underway

Postby km1125 » October 5th, 2021, 11:33 am

Trixboat wrote:Source of the post Still trying to fully understand DC electrical system on new to us 560 Voyager.
It's my understanding that the 12V house batteries are not charged by the 24V engine electrical system. Thus, we must run the generator to charge house batteries while at sea. This to avoid deep discharge of house batteries from inverter run fridge and freezer. Do I have this right?
It seems like we could install a 24V to 12V transformer (some online retailers call it a converter) so the house batteries are charged when underway. The transformer would need to be disconnected when we are at rest (no shore power). Maybe there are transformers that are smart enough to disconnect when 24V system not getting charged.
TIA for your thoughts and advice!

Sounds like you got the issue figured out, but to follow up on the second part of your post in case others might be interested.

What you're referring to is a "DC-to-DC charger", not a transformer. There are several available and can have different input voltages and different output voltages. You can get a 24V to 12V one and they also have provisions to shut off if the input drops to a specified amount (so that you never drain down the source if it's not being recharged).
User avatar

United States of America
V One
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 2
Joined: June 30th, 2013, 8:18 pm
Vessel Info: 2005 560 Voyager
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Charging 12V house batteries underway

Postby V One » October 16th, 2021, 5:17 pm

The Port engine has a 12 volt alternator to charge the house batteries. Took me 60 days to figure this out as this does not show up in the wiring diagrams and Carver didn't mention it in the system description. So to recap, there is a 24 and 12 volt alternator on the port and 1 24volt alternator on the starboard for a total of 3 alternators.
User avatar

United States of America
brow_14
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 2
Joined: March 13th, 2022, 3:12 pm
Vessel Info: 2005 Carver Marine 36
Location: Los Gatos, CA

Re: Charging 12V house batteries underway

Postby brow_14 » March 13th, 2022, 3:40 pm

Hello Everyone

I apologize in advance if this question was already answered, but I am relatively new to the Carver world and would like to get some advice on a couple of topics (I have a 2005 Carver Marine 36)

1) - When I'm at the dock connected to shore power, obviously all of the electrical systems work, however, when I disconnect the shore power, all of the electrical (12v system etc) will turn off and the dead battery alarm will go off and will not come back on until I start the engines...But if I turn off of the engines (with no shore power), the 12v system will shut off again. .....As an example, if I am out on the water, drop the anchor, turn off the engines, I will not have access to the radio etc...I realize the generator is an option, but I figured the 12v system would run off the battery when the engines are not running, or is the generator the only option? What are your thoughts?

2) - when connected to shore power at the dock, is it necessary to have the compressor come on from time to time or is there a way to turn it off at night?....it can be loud in the middle of the night.

Thank you in advance for helping me out.
User avatar

United States of America
km1125
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 3338
Joined: February 28th, 2017, 6:04 pm
Has thanked: 56 times
Been thanked: 965 times

Re: Charging 12V house batteries underway

Postby km1125 » March 13th, 2022, 4:31 pm

This was a reply to brow_14 : (for future reference, you should start a new thread for a new problem so it doesn't get confused with the other issues)

Sounds like you might have a bad house battery. If the engine(s) start just fine, then those batteries might be OK, but with the engines running or the shore power available, there is power getting to your house battery which would supply power to all those electric systems. I would check the house battery. It's possible there are just corroded connections to it, or it may be dry (if a conventional lead-acid battery), but I would bet you'll end up replacing it. Any idea how old it is?

for #2, which compressor are you talking about... the HVAC? Are you sure it's a compressor you're hearing? Do you have vacu-flush systems? Do you have actual air horns or electric "air" horns? (the real "air" horns also use a compressor)
User avatar

United States of America
brow_14
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 2
Joined: March 13th, 2022, 3:12 pm
Vessel Info: 2005 Carver Marine 36
Location: Los Gatos, CA

Re: Charging 12V house batteries underway

Postby brow_14 » March 13th, 2022, 5:04 pm

Thank you km1125

- I don't know how old the batteries are, I just bought the boat and had a mechanic inspection and survey done with no reported issues on the batteries (doesn't mean they didn't catch it)..., but I will check the house battery- Thank you!
is that to say that the house battery will be charged by the shore power as well?....or does the house battery get charged by the generator?

- to answer your question on the compressor, I believe it is the horn compressor ...can that we switched off (at night)?
Last edited by brow_14 on March 13th, 2022, 6:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Return to “Electrical”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests