[C320-list] Chargers...still!

[Jon Vez]

Yes, the connections I'm referring to is for the charger only. Also, I
understand Xantrex is coming out with a new model in May and that may be
worth looking into--or the existing model may come down in price :)

Regards,

Jon Vez
Solstice
#582

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
crashley at gte.net
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 1:52 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Chargers...still!

Brian,

I'm confused by the talk about small battery connections on the Xantrex 
battery chargers. I have a Xantrex Freedom 20 inverter/charger and is has 
large 3/8 inch studs for the battery connections.Maybe the charger-only 
version has the smaller battery connections?

CRA
Rosebud #882


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Monte B." <mjbc60 at sbcglobal.net>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 6:55 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Chargers...still!


> Brian,
>
> It's hard to knock free, but I have had and heard of too many Promariner
> chargers failing to the full bore charge mode and frying the batteries. I
> also went with the Xantrex 20+ charger and agree with Jon in that it is 
> not
> a drop in but with a little planning can be accomplished in an alcohol 
> free
> afternoon. Splicing the smaller wires for the Xantrex connections is a
> matter of the proper butt connectors and waterproofing and the mount thing
> is fairly straightforward. I got mine on E-bay at about 2/3 the list. Also
> live in a slip with shore power and would thoroughly recommend this set up
> unless you intend to add another battery bank of considerable capacity in
> which case you might do the 40 amp.
>
> Monte
> Laima #620
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jon Vez
> Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 7:00 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Chargers...still!
>
> Brian,
>
> I have the 20 amp Xantrex. Many on the list have gone with the 40. I find
> the 20 to be just fine as I am in a slip with shore power. The 
> installation
> is not quite a drop in replacement. The footprint is different and you 
> will
> have to install a board to accommodate it. The connecters are also 
> different
> and you will have to either put a bus bar in to go from the bigger wire
> coming from the boat to the smaller (I believe 8 gauge but could be 6)
> needed to go into the charger.
>
> If you're interested, I would be happy to send you my Promariner for the
> cost of shipping. Mine was working fine when I took it out of the boat, 
> but
> when I went with the new AGM's I did not want to chance it going bad so I
> swapped out the charger at that time. This may be an inexpensive short 
> term
> option--if interested you're welcome to it...
>
> Regards,
>
> Jon Vez
> Solstice #582
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Amirault
> Family - S&B
> Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 5:54 PM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Chargers...still!
>
> An administrative matter out of the way first. Bruce, thank you for the
> details of the "Allan Treatment". I am not leaking at the moment, but this
> appears to be a sound preventative procedure and I have always preferred
> prevention to cure. It will be done this spring and going forward. You too
> can come looking for libation when in town without fear of rejection.
>
>
>
> Bear came with the original charger and with modified wiring as the PO had
> installed a separate starting battery under the port settee. On delivery 
> the
> batteries were not completely connected and I did this function as seemed
> appropriate while on the hard pre-launch. At that time I connected the 
> shore
> power cable and with the charger switched on, the panel meter immediately
> went to hard-right full charge. This struck me as not normal so I turned 
> off
> the charger and disconnected it from the battery terminal. I charged the
> batteries using a smart charger connected to the boat's AC supply. Through
> this process I discovered that the two house 4Ds were not holding charge 
> and
> I replaced them with four 6V AGMs.
>
>
>
> It is now a year later and I will shortly have the local boat electrician
> look at the system to determine whether I have a mere connection issue 
> with
> the charger or if the charger is toast.  I have been charging batteries 
> from
> the alternator the past year, and the batteries really got very little use
> as we never had an opportunity at overnighting  in the way we did with our
> previous boat. For the next five years I will be docked at a sail club 
> which
> has shore power available only at the short-stay service dock.  The boat
> will motor out and back to the races Thursday nights and spend one-to-two
> night overnights every week or two in the brief Canadian summer with a one
> week trip thrown in I intend to continue to use the original alternator 
> for
> the next three years or unto death; whichever comes first.  I intend to
> supplement the alternator with a small portable generator which will be
> connected to the shore power plug at the boat's stern and power the boat's
> internal charger through this.
>
>
>
> The question for you all is, in the event that a new charger is in order,
> and as xantrex seems to get the majority of the positive responses here,
> what size/model charger is required given the constraints above? Is 
> charger
> replacement a straight swap, or are there other considerations or items to
> be purchased. The upgrades budget this year was exhausted with a new head
> sail and Kiwi prop.
>
>
>
> Regards;
>
>
>
> Brian Amirault
>
> 797 Waltzing Bear, too
>
>