[C320-list] Charger Problem

[Doug Stieber]

Sorry for the delayed response, but I have been out of town.  Yes, you are
absolutely right.  There was a loose connection that caused the problem.
Thank you so much for your advice.

Doug Stieber #406

On 10/12/06, Robert E. Sloat <resloat at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> 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
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>