[C320-list] FW: Battery charger/inverter

[Robert Seastream]

It sounds like a component (probably a transformer) within the charger  
has gone bad (shorted), and is the result of the smoke and excessive  
current draw.  You might get it repaired but it's probably best to  
replace the unit.

Bob Seastream
'Intuition', hull 906


On Mar 7, 2007, at 7:16 PM, Pat Kenefick wrote:

> Karl:
>
> Charger - Flyback 20-3 - Flipped it on the other day , noticed  
> electrical "burning " smell ; shut it off ; turned on today to check  
> and it began smoking - needle went up 20 AMPS ; do you know if  when  
> they "die" they smoke or is it an indication of a short or some other  
> problem ? I would assume this one is dead now, but I wonder why - was  
> it old and just time or some other problem ?
> Any ideas ?
> Thanks
> Pat K
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karl Mielenhausen _/) "  
> <kmielen at iwon.com>
> To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 11:43 AM
> Subject: [C320-list] FW: Battery charger/inverter
>
>
>>
>> Paul,
>>
>>
>>
>> Bert was right on with his recommendation for a 40 amp charger... you  
>> want 10% of your battery bank capacity in Amp-Hrs.
>>
>> Here is something else to think about...Before you replace your  
>> marine, lead/acid 4Ds (which a really a hybrid starting/deep cycle  
>> battery, at approx 205 AH), consider switching to golf car batteries  
>> (220 AH). Others have suggested going to AGM's but I found that a tad  
>> pricy.
>>
>> Here is a link to some reference material...
>>
>> http://www.yachtsurvey.com/boat_battery_basics.htm
>>
>> A true (lead/acid) deep cycle battery can tolerate being discharged  
>> 80% whereas the hybrid (lead/acid) batteries should only be  
>> discharged 50%. You must be doing something right, however, having  
>> gotten 6 years of life on your last pair!!
>>
>> Also, four golf car batteries are also easier to handle than the 2  
>> 4D's. Of course, you may want to add a starting battery. This will  
>> give you the added confidence to run the house bank way down and  
>> still be able to start the engine.
>>
>> There are several of these conversions photographed on the C320IA  
>> website...
>>
>> http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/view_album.php? 
>> set_albumName=StartingBattShelf
>>
>> http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/view_album.php? 
>> set_albumName=album86
>>
>> http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=6- 
>> Volt-Batteries-and-Solar-Panel
>>
>> http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/view_album.php? 
>> set_albumName=album31
>>
>> Good luck and keep us informed of your progress.
>>
>>
>>
>> Karl Mielenhausen
>>
>> 2000 C320 Hull#690 "Silver Lining"
>>
>> New Bern, NC
>>
>> http://pages.suddenlink.net/kmielen/
>>
>> From: PDCatalina320 at aol.com [mailto: PDCatalina320 at aol.com]
>>
>> To: c320-list at catalina320.com
>>
>> Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2007 01:58:55 EST
>>
>> Subject: [C320-list] Battery charger/inverter
>>
>>
>>
>> I am about to replace my 2 4D's since they are now 6 years old. I  
>> hear it is also a good time to replace the 25 amp flyback charger.  A  
>> inverter/charger like the xantrex Freedom 10 sounds nice but will my  
>> 4 awg wires  to the batteries take the  50 amps charging that the  
>> freedom puts out?  I don't want to pull larger wires. Or is it better  
>> to just get the xantrex truecharge 20  and do the inverter seperate.   
>> Any info will  help. Thanks                                Paul,     
>> 850 Sobrante<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR>  
>> AOL now offers free email to everyone.  Find out more about what's  
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>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>
>