[C320-list] Chargers Xantrex Install

[Jon Vez]

Bob,

You can attach the wiring directly to the Xantrex, however you have to peel
back enough strands from the larger cable until it fits into the charger. I
received Jeff Hare's okay on this approach (which was good enough for me). I
used insulated cable clamps to ensure the wires would stay secure and this
has worked great for 4 seasons...Let me know if you would like more info on
the install. I can try and take a picture over the next few days if you
like..

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 Robert E.
Sloat
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 9:44 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Chargers Xantrex Install

Irv-My post crossed yours.  We have close hull numbers.  I am installing the

Xantrex after it is received which will probably be next week.  I assume you

also have the Flyback 20-3, so after I install mine I can let you know if 
you can attach the existing wiring directly to the charger.

Bob Sloat
Hull 894
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Irving Grunes" <igrunes at gmail.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 8:32 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Chargers...still!


> Hi,
> Thinking of changing our charger to the Xantrex 20..
> Can you please identify the "bus bar system" by mfg, part number, source 
> and
> estimated price that you used to get the wire size reduction.
> Irv Grunes
> $851
>
> On Tue, Apr 29, 2008 at 7:24 PM, Kirk McCullough 
> <kirk.mccullough at telus.net>
> wrote:
>
>> 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
>>
>>