[C320-list] Chargers Xantrex Install

[Monte B.]

AMEN

Monte
Laima #620

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jane & Ken
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 3:02 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Chargers Xantrex Install

It just blows my mind that in today's electronics era, we still seem to have
manufactures who apparently do not employ--or even consult--an electronics
engineer (or even a quality control engineer) !!!!  The problems with the
various battery chargers are unacceptable.  Xantrex 'seems' to be the best
of the best because few, if any, batteries have been destroyed while using
the charger.  I replaced my 'factory original' a few years back because of
the noise it produced once the batteries were in the float mode.  
  Catalina could simplify our charger problems by just installing the
Xantrex---however, the "list" would have fewer inquires because nearly every
week includes a charger overload and fried batteries.
  Bottom line is --- just buy and install the Xantrex, then forget the
battery issue----add water every two months and enjoy.
  Ken,  OBUOY #219

John Frost <john at frostnet.net> wrote:
  I have had the Charles 30 factory installed on my MKII for 7 months.
Big problem at first with overcharging, but they fixed that with a factory
mod. Nice folks to work with. Keeps batteries charged nicely now, but much
radio interference when it runs. Overall, I like the Xantrex that I had on
my 270 better. I assume the Charles costs less.

John Frost
2007 C320 MKII, Hull # 1118
Lake Guntersville, AL

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Bryan Campbell
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 1:10 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Chargers Xantrex Install

Anyone have any experience with Charles Marine chargers?

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com]On Behalf Of Monte B.
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 9:46 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Chargers Xantrex Install


If the 30 fails like the 20 you will get to buy batteries at the same time
Irv.

Monte
Laima #620

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Irving Grunes
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 8:24 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Chargers Xantrex Install

Kirk and All
I know that you can strip back some strands to make the existing cables fit
the Xantrex 20. but the bus bar scheme seems very logical and so I would
like to know where and what some of u have used as a bus bar system.

Irv grunes #851
BTW we replaced the Promariner 20 with a Promariner 30 that was recommended
by the Pro Mariner people. I do not really rest easy with that charger and
will change it when I find that the batteries are not doing well with it.
Irv Grunes


On Wed, Apr 30, 2008 at 8:37 PM, Jon Vez wrote:

> 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" 
> To: 
> 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
> > 
> > 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
> >>
> >>
>
>

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