[C320-list] Charger Problem

[Robert E. Sloat]

Doug-I had a similar problem with 2 new batteries which I just installed. 
With a 2 month old Flyback 20-3 on, the panel voltmeter only showed one 
battery in the charge mode and the other battery around 12.5 volts and not 
in the charge mode.  I confirmed the panel voltmeter was correct by doing a 
voltage check with my VOM on the batteries.  When I turned off shore power 
and started up the engine, both batteries showed as being in the charge 
mode.

I wrongly concluded the Flyback was the problem!  It indicated with the red 
LED that it was charging, but I thought maybe it was working one just one 
battery.  The problem was that there was a loose connection in the fuse 
fitting on the battery not being charged by the Flyback.

My hull 894 has 2 leads from the positive terminals on each battery. One 
lead has a fuse about 6 inches from the battery which is held in place by a 
plastic screw-apart fitting which holds a small fuse.  This lead goes to the 
Flyback.  I took out the fuse on the battery that was not being charged, did 
a continuity test on it and determined it was ok.  The fuse looked clean and 
the leads in the fuse fitting also looked clean. I cleaned them out anyway 
and checked out the fuse fitting and the lead for any loose connections. 
Everything looked ok so I put the fuse back and reconnected the lead and 
turned on the Flyback.  (On my boat you have to align the ends of the fuse 
fitting so 2 notches line up and then screw the fitting together.)  Both 
batteries went into the charge mode.  I assume the fuse was not making a 
good connection in the fitting.  I check that lead by shaking it and so far 
the battery stays connected to the Flyback.

Perhaps when removing the leads from the batteries for winter strorage last 
year the fuse fitting came a little loose and caused the problem.  I will 
check these fuse fittings before launch next year and only disconnect the 
negative leads for storage.  I did not notice that the fuse fitting was 
loose when I removed the lead, but it may have been.

My Flyback 20-3 acted up earlier this year and I got a new one at a reduced 
price from Professional Mariner ($200) and a 15 minute installation.  I 
suspect the bad connection may have helped caused the 5 year old unit's 
demise.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Stieber" <djstieber at gmail.com>
To: <Allan.Field at comcast.net>; "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 7:38 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Charger Problem


> Thank you so much for your reply.  It help me alot,
>
> Thanks...Doug
>
> On 10/9/06, Allan Field <Allan.Field at comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> Doug - The fridge always runs off the battery.  Most of us have had to
>> learn
>> the hard way that the Flyback charger is best used for cooking batteries.
>> For charging, I would suggest a 3-stage charger such as Xantrex.
>>
>> Allan S. Field
>> Sea Shadow - #808
>> Columbia, MD
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Doug Stieber
>> Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 6:36 PM
>> To: C320-List
>> Subject: [C320-list] Charger Problem
>>
>> I think that my charger has given it up.  I am almost always plugged in 
>> to
>> shore power and both batteries were replace this Spring.  But I have been
>> having a problem where one battery will completely discharge even though
>> it
>> is hooked up to shore power.  When I motor, it will charge up a bit.  The
>> Flyback charger shows that it is working, but obviously it isn't.  Here 
>> is
>> my question- when plugged into shore power with the refrigerator on, does
>> the refrigerator run off the battery, meaning that the charger would have
>> be
>> be recharging that battery, or does the refrigerator run directly off the
>> 110 shore power.  This is the only appliance that I think has a large
>> enough
>> draw to completely discharge a 4D in a week.
>>
>> Any ideas?
>>
>> Thanks...  Doug Stieber, Second Chance #406
>>
>>
>>
>>