[C320-list] Charles Charger Problem

[John Frost]

Heads up if you have a Charles charger.

The day of delivery of my new boat, I noticed that the battery voltmeter
pegged itself when we plugged in shore power.

I turned off the battery charger and it went back to normal.

A digital voltmeter confirmed that the charger was putting out 18.5 volts
into the batteries.

A call to Charles tech support got immediate help. They were having a
problem with the chargers going crazy if the mode switch on the back is not
set just right. The changed switches in early 2007, just after mine was
built. The temporary fix is easy, wiggle the switch to reseat it. The
permanent fix involves sending the unit in for a mod to make sure it doesn’t
recur. (no charge). My unit is a Model 5000SP series.

The Charles people were very easy to work with, but I do dread taking my new
boat apart already.

 

The bad news is that my dealer had left the boat plugged in for several days
to charge the batteries. It boiled off almost a gallon of water in each of
my big batteries. Luckily the plates were not quite exposed so I hope they
will be OK. Any prognosis on the long term health of my house batteries
after I refilled them with distilled water? 

(My smaller starting battery didn’t fare so well with ½ of its plates
exposed but I can lift it)

 

John Frost

2007 C320 MKII, Hull # 1118

Lake Guntesville, AL