[C320-list] FW: Battery charger/inverter

[hcreech at comcast.net]

The fly back 20-3 that was original to my boat was a piece of junk as most people on the list can attest.  Before it was 5 years old it was giving me problems, I was constantly adding water to the batteries, which I thought was normal.  It was also noisy.  I replaced it with a West Marine Xantrex charger .  Really easy to replace, and I'm not as proficient as most on the list seem to be.  The new charger, now 3 years old, is silent, and I almost never need to add water to the batteries.   

Sincerely,
Herb Creech
Cloud Chaser #606

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Pat Kenefick" <pkenefick at earthlink.net>
> 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=StartingBattShel
> f
> >
> > 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 
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> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> >
> > 
> 
>