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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

charging batteries/wiring diagram

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smosh
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/29/2016 : 13:55:00

Happy Spring, all! Now begins getting my boat ready for splashing. This is my second season with her- last spring was just doing the bare minimum to get her in the water, then taking the season to figure out what to upgrade and repair.

I found that the batteries do not charge. I've a newish Honda that has an alternator and shows green while running, leading me to believe the motor is outputting current. I charged the two new batteries in my garage at the beginning of the season, but in September or so, the power ran out. So I charged again with shore power. Now I need to figure out what's missing or not working.

Does anyone have a schematic for what a two battery system (with alternator or solar charging capacity) should look like? I've got a Guest orange 1-2 switch and the stock switch panel. Everything functioned last summer, but i don't think the system charged.

Thanks!

1979 C25 - Hull #1000

Currently "Phoebe"

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2016 : 14:34:46

Does this help? It will help us provide more accurate answers if you will indicate the year your boat was built, it's hull number, whether it's a C25, and if it's a standard or tall rig. Members usually include that info in their "Signature." Look at the signatures of some of our members, for examples. You can create your signature by clicking on "Profile", in the upper right-hand corner of the webpage.

The following info is for a pre-1988 C25.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

smosh
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2016 : 17:06:48

quote:
Originally posted by Steve Milby

Does this help? It will help us provide more accurate answers if you will indicate the year your boat was built, it's hull number, whether it's a C25, and if it's a standard or tall rig. Members usually include that info in their "Signature." Look at the signatures of some of our members, for examples. You can create your signature by clicking on "Profile", in the upper right-hand corner of the webpage.

......

Thanks, Steve. I'm not sure why my Association info never propagates to the message board, as it seems to do for you. Anyway, I added my boat to my .sig.

I'm sure the battery setup isn't stock, so i figure any charging system wouldn't be anyway. In the next few days I'll pull the tarp off and climb into the lazarette to scope out the jumble of wires. A previous owner added radio and a 12v outlet. I guess I have to figure out -what- the wire coming from the motor should go to!

1979 C25 - Hull #1000

Currently "Phoebe"

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2016 : 17:23:15

Incidentally, those schematics came from the owners' manual. You can download one if you'd like. It contains a lot of good information. You can find it by clicking on "Manuals & Brochures" on the upper left side of this webpage.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

tpothen
Deckhand

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17 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2016 : 17:59:13

Is the green light by the pull start? I only ask because all the Smaller Honda's I've seen, the green light is the oil pressure light. The only way to see if the outboard is charging is to hook up a battery and put a volt meter to it.

"Myasis Dragon" 77' C25/SR/SK/Din.
www.svmyasisdragon.com

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2016 : 19:47:10

I take it you are trying see if your engine is charging the batteries.
The diagrams above will not help you they are just from the batteries to the on board systems.
You need a diagram from the engine alternator to the batteries.

Try the following search in Google.
"Charging batteries from an outboard wiring diagram"
You'll find a few diagrams and posts.

I'll be pulling the cover off Peregrine next week and will try to draw out how mine works. Yours may be different.

John Gisondi
Peregrine #4762

*

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5371 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2016 : 17:26:34

Both John's and Tpothen's advice is good.
To check whether your battery is charging with a digital multimeter or DMM (easier than an analog VOM), set the meter to 20 VDC. Place the red lead of the DMM to the positive terminal and the black to the negative terminal.
Measure the resting voltage with all the equipment turned off. A battery reading between 12.7 to 12.8 VDC is fully charged. If it reads below 12.0VDC it's definitely discharged by several tens of Amp Hours.
Start the motor. A battery that's charging will measure in the 13.6-14.3VDC range depending on a number of factors. If the voltage is still less than 12.6VDC, it's not charging.
A fully discharged battery being charged at 6 Amps will recharge in about 7-10 hours.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

SKS
Navigator

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USA
161 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2016 : 09:42:20

I have a wiring diagram. I can't figure out how to add pictures or files, or I'd post it.
If I could get an email, I'd send it to you.

"Lady E" 1986 Catalina 25: Fin Keel, Standard Rig, Inboard M12 Diesel, Sail No. 5339
Sailing out of Norwalk Cove Marina, Connecticut

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5371 Posts

Response Posted - 04/03/2016 : 10:10:46

SKS,
Seems you're just down the road from me in Norwalk CT.

To post a pic on this forum, start by posting it on a photo site like the Catalina Gallery here, or picasa, flickr, etc.

Get the jpg URL and put it between the html expressions:

[ img ] - start of the expression and skip the spaces
[ /img ] - the end of the expression and skip the spaces

Between the expressions you'll find something like http://www.gallery.flickr.com/24$srm5&1evQ28$.jpg as the URL for the image.

If you want to email the diagram send it to bruce 2 sail at aol dot com. Hope to see your boat one of these days...

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

SKS
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
161 Posts

Response Posted - 04/03/2016 : 20:16:54

By George, I think I've got it. Although to be honest, it's somewhat tedious.

"Lady E" 1986 Catalina 25: Fin Keel, Standard Rig, Inboard M12 Diesel, Sail No. 5339
Sailing out of Norwalk Cove Marina, Connecticut

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5371 Posts

Response Posted - 04/05/2016 : 20:13:46

Michael,
This looks like a good system except you can inadvertently switch off the alternator while the motor is running. That would fry your alternator or regulator. The diagram does not indicate any battery fuses (within a foot or two of the battery positive terminal). If the actual circuit on your boat indeed has no inline fuses, I'd suggest you install them ASAP.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

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