[C320-list] Chargers Xantrex Install

[Robert E. Sloat]

Kirk-Yesterday I order the Xantrex 20 to replace the second failed 
ProMariner Flyback 20-3 on hull 894 (2002). The first one was a Catalina OEM 
install and failed in 2006 after less than 5 seasons from commissioning.  I 
took the lazy way out by getting a replacement under limited warranty (price 
reduction from ProMariner for the replacement unit) for a simple 
reinstallation.  The second Flyback with a little over one season on it 
failed over the weekend one week after launch.  In both case, the Flybacks 
failed on the AC side with some DC issues as one fuse at the batteries was 
open on the first failure.  In the future they will serves a targets for the 
shooting range which will help with my passive aggressive tendencies toward 
them.  From my experience with the Flybacks, I can see why Catalina now uses 
another supplier for their chargers.

I have kept an eye on the various posts on Xantrex installation.  On Hull 
894 the existing mounting location is the same as yours and the existing 
board for the OEM Flyback charger is large enough for the Xantrex 20.  The 
wiring to the batteries from the charger for my hull is 4AWG which is very 
big and per Xantrex specifications could easily support the Xantrex 40 
amperage loads if I wanted that unit.  I am at a slip with 24/7 shore power 
and 24/7 OEM refrigeration and 20 amps seems enough.  The 4 AWG wires will 
make the install at the Xantrex side a little tricky.  A recent 320 board 
post on this indicated that the crimp fittings on the charger wires at the 
charger could be modified slightly to fit in the relatively small female 
fittings on the Xantrex.  I will try this and if it doesn't work use a buss 
bar.

My hull has on the charger connections near the positive connections at the 
batteries has in-line fuses so there is no need to install breakers. 
Xantrex recommends 25 amp fuses for their Xantrex 20 model.  My current 
fuses are 30 amp so I will replace them with 25s.

If any thing interesting comes up on the install next week I will let the 
board know.

Bob Sloat
Savannah Hull 894

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kirk McCullough" <kirk.mccullough at telus.net>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 6:24 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Chargers...still!


>I recently installed the Xantrex 20 with good results. As Jon mentions I
> mounted it on a board then used the same footprint for the old charger to
> mount the board and charger in place. On Boomerang the charger was in the
> cockpit locker on the bulkhead with the galley.
>
> I installed a bus bar to handle the change down to smaller 8 ga wire the
> Xantrex takes. I left the  larger wires in place running to each battery
> bank.
>
> I also installed the now  recommended breakers on each bank. Xantrex
> specifies the size of the breakers, I don't recall size off hand, but I
> mounted them between the charger outputs and the buss bar.
>
> It took most of a day but it's a great charger. I also installed a Link 10
> battery monitor to keep tabs on my 2X 4D house bank.
>
> Kirk
> #124
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jon Vez
> Sent: 22 April 2008 17:00
> 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
>