Port Battery Gremlins (draining)

[Rhumbline306]

Hi, I'm a new owner of a 2016 GW Canyon 306 and having issues with port battery. When boat is not used for a week or two the port battery is drained (not able to start engine). Battery charges right backup when using boat. I replaced battery thinking i had bad battery but same issue. Looking for ideas where to start. Boat looks to have all factory installed equipment. Many thanks!

 

[kirk a]

Lot more info needed. What is battery set up? Two? Three? Switches? Optional equipment? Most of us have different models than you do, but with a bit more detail, more can offer help.

If you are shutting the switches off, and this is happening, there is a parasitic draw somewhere. Start with looking at all the connections which are directly on that battery. Typically those should be bilge pumps and stereo memory. May need to test these items to see if they are drawing power constantly. Like a float switch stuck "on".

I recognize your name from THT, welcome here. I'm just west of you in Fairhaven.

 

[ACV]

Stereo for sure.

 

[Rhumbline306]

Thanks for quick thoughts. I think I’ll unhook the yellow wire for stereo memory and see if the does trick. Pretty confident my floats / bilge pumps working as desired. I’ve spent considerable amount of time on boat with batteries off and never hear bilge pumps.

Trying to trace yellow wire back and it gets lost behind panel - so not sure which battery is hosting memory wire.

Battery config (factory setup)
Starboard is dual battery
Port is single battery (problem battery)

Stereo is original 2016 fusion 750. Did software update over weekend and that solve a couple issues with radio (coming on after batteries turned off for five minutes)

Only thing that should draw with switches off are aft bilge, midship bilge and stereo memory.

Thx.

 

[DennisG01]

You don't have to trace the yellow wire from the stereo - just look at your batteries to see what wires are directly attached. Anything that powers an item will have a fuse a short distance from the battery.

Do an amp draw test (read up on that). That gives you definitive info - rather than guessing.

 

[wspitler]

Some installers also connect the VHF FM radio directly to a battery, bypassing the battery switches, to ensure availability in emergency situations. Just like your bilge pumps.

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

Same setup i have, but mine are working fine and no probs.
How old are the batteries, particularly the port engine battery?
You have no other solution to check what is draining the battery if this is the problem and not a old failing battery.
Should you are able to use a amp meter or willing to install a Victron SmartShunt (very useful tool) you can measure if there is a draw when battery switch is off.
If so, then start with disconnecting stuff attached directly to the battery and the battery switch, but on the always hot pole and watch the Amp meter or SmartShunt app to see when disconnecting something (one after the other) amp draw lowers, then you found the culprit.
Yes, the yellow wire may be a solution, but there are others depending on your electronics.
Chris

 

[Rhumbline306]

Thanks for the ideas. Port battery is brand new (weeks old).

 

[JLR]

See if amp is wired directly to the battery.

 

[seasick]

Hi, I'm a new owner of a 2016 GW Canyon 306 and having issues with port battery. When boat is not used for a week or two the port battery is drained (not able to start engine). Battery charges right backup when using boat. I replaced battery thinking i had bad battery but same issue. Looking for ideas where to start. Boat looks to have all factory installed equipment. Many thanks!

Can we assume that you turn off the battery switch when not boating?
If so, with all switches off ( if more than one) try every device to see if it works. If it does, that component is directly powered.

Another possibility is that water is getting into the bilge and triggering the bilge pump or pumps. Over time depending on how frequent and how long that happens, the battery will run down.