[C320-list] Xantrex shore charger

crashley at gte.net crashley at gte.net
Tue Feb 19 22:44:45 PST 2008 

Jon,

It seems I keep responding to the wrong person. Thanks for the advice.

CRA
Rosebud #882


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jon Vez" <jonvez at comcast.net>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 6:59 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger


> It will also extend the life of your 'expensive' bank (the 2 4D's) as they
> won't have to absorb that deep cranking the starter places on the 
> battery--
>
> Regards,
>
> Jon Vez
>
> -----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: Monday, February 18, 2008 9:05 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>
> Kirk,
>
> That's a very good idea. I suppose I could get into the habit of actually
> using it as the "starting battery" and that would take care of it.
>
> CRA
> Rosebud #882
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jon Vez" <jonvez at comcast.net>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 5:37 AM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>
>
>> Kirk,
>>
>> You may want to start the engine with your starter once in a while (I use
>> mine exclusively for starting) to ensure that it is healthy enough to
>> start
>> the engine. A Voltmeter will give you a false sense of security because 
>> it
>> isn't measuring the health of the battery under full load. With the huge
>> surge of the starter, you may find yourself without the extra juice you
>> thought you had at the wrong time. If you are a member of BoatUS, they 
>> had
>
>> a
>> good article on this in their November 07 issue...
>>
>> 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 Kirk
>> McCullough
>> Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 4:35 PM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> I did say I "could" run the house bank all the way down, but in reality I
>> never have done that, respecting the fact that they last longer if they
>> aren't abused.
>>
>> Having 3 batteries really does give one a lot of flexibility, as you say,
>> you don't even use the starting battery, but you could if you needed to.
>> Fantastic!
>>
>> Kirk
>> #124
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: <crashley at gte.net>
>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>> Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 5:53 AM
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>>
>>
>>> Kirk,
>>>
>>> My system is a lot like yours except I have the Link 20 and can
>>> separately
>>
>>> monitor the large parallel 4D house and the group 27 starter. One
>>> comment,
>>
>>> you should never let a battery discharge all the way down if you can
>>> avoid
>>
>>> it. The literature says even cycles below 50% are bad for them. Also, I
>>> use my house (battery #1) for starting and the "starting" battery is
>>> really just a backup in case something goes terribly wrong with battery
>>> #1.
>>>
>>> CRA
>>> Rosebud #882
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Kirk McCullough" <kirk.mccullough at telus.net>
>>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 12:04 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi Allen
>>>>
>>>> Thanks again great input.
>>>>
>>>> I have the both 4D batteries in parallel to give one big house bank,
>>>> then
>>
>>>> I have a starting battery which I only use to start  the engine. So I
>>>> still have a total of just 2 banks - so no need for a L30 if they make
>>>> one. This gives me about 350 amp/hours for the house, we can stay on 
>>>> the
>>>> hook for days without recharging, but we do run the engine for 20
>>>> minutes
>>
>>>> a day anyway just for hot water.
>>>>
>>>> I have not had a L10 or L20 to this point but since I always have the
>>>> starting battery fully charged I haven't concerned myself too much on
>>>> the
>>
>>>> status of the house batteries, I could run them down all the way,
>>>> knowing
>>
>>>> the dedicated starting battery is always topped up.
>>>>
>>>> But now I purchased the L10 because I feel only the house bank needs
>>>> monitoring and now I will know how well the new Xantrex is working. The
>>>> starting battery gets charged by the Xantrex or the engine and only is
>>>> used to start so its always topped up. If I want to, I can start the
>>>> engine with the house batteries too of course, but I try to remember to
>>>> flip over to #2 (start batt) when starting.
>>>>
>>>> In your set up I can see where the status of each battery is important
>>>> since you use them both the same way and the L20 must be a great tool
>>>> for
>>
>>>> you. I expect the L10 will be for me.
>>>>
>>>> Kirk
>>>> #124
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Allan S. Field" <allan.field at comcast.net>
>>>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 10:21 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Kirk - I can't answer most of your questions as I had a professional
>>>>> install.  But here is how I use the Link.  First off, I got the Link
>>>>> 20 -
>>>>> this means that each house battery is monitored independently.  In 6
>>>>> years,
>>>>> I have not seen the need for a separate starting battery as the 
>>>>> Link-20
>>>>> always tells me at a glance the condition of my 2 house batteries.
>>>>>
>>>>> As I said in a previous post, we run the fridge 24/7 from March thru
>>>>> November.  While at the dock, I keep the battery switch on #1 during
>>>>> the
>>
>>>>> odd
>>>>> number months and switch over to #2 during the even number months.
>>>>> When
>>
>>>>> out
>>>>> for several days at a time, I switch back and forth each day.  When 
>>>>> out
>>>>> overnight, I rarely am unable to start the engine on the battery that
>>>>> has
>>>>> been drawing the past 24 hours but just in case, I always have the
>>>>> other
>>
>>>>> to
>>>>> rely on.  But I never keep have the switch on ALL unless needed for
>>>>> starting.  Again, the Link-20 allows me to see at a glance how each
>>>>> battery
>>>>> is doing.  If not too late, I would encourage you to look at the
>>>>> Link-20
>>
>>>>> vs.
>>>>> the 10.  But if I understand your post correctly, you may have a
>>>>> starting
>>>>> battery plus the 2 house batteries?  If so, do they make a Link-30? 
>>>>> Or
>>>>> should you be looking at a Heart Interface?
>>>>>
>>>>> Hopes this helps.
>>>>>
>>>>> Allan S. Field
>>>>> Sea Shadow - #808
>>>>> Columbia, MD
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>>>>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Kirk
>>>>> McCullough
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 1:01 PM
>>>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>>>>>
>>>>> Again thanks to Herb, Jon, Bill, Karl, Allan, Jeff and all.
>>>>>
>>>>>    -More Questions
>>>>>
>>>>> I am starting the installation and have purchased breakers which I 
>>>>> will
>>>>> install
>>>>> between the charger and each battery bank to solve that problem. They
>>>>> were
>>>>> recommended over fuses by the electrical installer at our yard.
>>>>>
>>>>> The Xantrex also has a chassis ground. How/where did you all connect 
>>>>> to
>>>>> this ground. Is the DC ground going into the Neg connection on the
>>>>> charger
>>>>> not the same as the chassis ground point. Can I simply jumper over to
>>>>> the
>>>>> chassis ground connection from the Neg terminal or do I need to run a
>>>>> separate wire back to the ground behind the electrical panel?
>>>>>
>>>>> I also purchased the Link 10 and want to install it. I saw the drawing
>>>>> on
>>>>> the website, and see that all loads need to be connected after the
>>>>> shunt.
>>>>> These loads inlcude the charger, the windlass, the DC panel etc. Can I
>>>>> connect those cables
>>>>> directly to the shunt terminal or do I need a separate ground 
>>>>> connector
>>>>> installed somewhere near the battery. I intend to use the Link 10 for
>>>>> the
>>>>> house bank only (2 X 4D), but if I switch to the starting battery will
>>>>> the
>>>>> Link
>>>>> 10 then monitor the starting battery? I have the house on position #1
>>>>> and
>>>>> the
>>>>> starting Batt on position #2.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>> From: "Jon Vez" <jonvez at comcast.net>
>>>>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>>>> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 5:37 AM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Kirk,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The fuses are actually a bit hard to find for the size of the 
>>>>>> cabling.
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> ended up getting them from Crutchfield--they are sold for automotive
>>>>>> purposes, but they are gold coated and corrosion is not an issue....
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 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 Kirk
>>>>>> McCullough
>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 9:43 PM
>>>>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks Bill I do remember the story of the fire, and yes my hull #124
>>>>>> does
>>>>>> not currently have them, so as part of my new Xantrex installation I
>>>>>> will
>>>>>> add the fuses. I bought the TC 40+ and the manual asks for a DC cct
>>>>>> breaker
>>>>>> or DC fuse and disconnect rated at 50 amps at each bank.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I now need to look around for this hardware, should be easy to find I
>>>>>> expect.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks again to all who have given me some great input.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Kirk
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>>>>>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Bill
>>>>>> Culbertson
>>>>>> Sent: 10 February 2008 13:18
>>>>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Kirk,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> re: DC fuse at each battery.  I believe that your older (#124) boat
>>>>>> does
>>>>>> not
>>>>>> have them unless you or someone added them.
>>>>>> At some point (I don't know when) Catalina added them to the
>>>>>> production
>>>>>> model.  My boat #859 has them and
>>>>>> they're documented in the electrical drawings for the boat.  The 
>>>>>> fuses
>>>>>> are
>>>>>> inline in the charger -> battery cable
>>>>>> about 4"-6" before the connection to the battery.  Catalina may have
>>>>>> started
>>>>>> fusing the battery charger lines after the fire on
>>>>>> Kit Carson's boat.  Kit contributes to this maillist, is a member of
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> 320
>>>>>> association and has attended most or all of
>>>>>> the annual regattas.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -bill
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----
>>>>>> From: Kirk McCullough <kirk.mccullough at telus.net>
>>>>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 2:59:49 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks to all for the quick responses. I'm off to the boat show
>>>>>> (Vancouver)
>>>>>> today to make the purchase. Not sure which way I will go,  but now I
>>>>>> know
>>>>>> that either will do the job, and I just need to analyze my own needs.
>>>>>> We
>>>>>> do
>>>>>> stay on the hook for several days at a time, but then we balance that
>>>>>> out
>>>>>> with a a couple of days dockside. For days when Boomerang is at her
>>>>>> homeport, I have
>>>>>> never run the fridge when not on board because of the Pro-Mariner
>>>>>> concerns.
>>>>>> So a big improvement will be cold drinks whenever I go to the boat.
>>>>>> And
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> constant humming will be history!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The part about existing wiring size working for the 10+ but not 20+
>>>>>> may
>>>>>> influence me.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I found a Xantrex manual on line and for both the 20+ and 40+ 
>>>>>> chargers
>>>>>> they
>>>>>> call for a fuse on the DC side for each battery bank. I don't believe
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> have
>>>>>>
>>>>>> fuses on each bank with the Pro-Mariner. Has everyone installed these
>>>>>> as
>>>>>> part of the project?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I like Herb's idea to mount it on a back panel, this would retain the
>>>>>> existing 4 mounting holes on the bulkhead.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have the 2 x 4D paralleled for the house bank on position #1 and a
>>>>>> group
>>>>>> 27 starter on position #2.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I am seriously looking at the link 20 also. I understand this is much
>>>>>> better
>>>>>>
>>>>>> than the remote monitor they offer. Has anyone added the temperature
>>>>>> sensor?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Kirk
>>>>>> #124
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>>> From: "Jon Vez" <jonvez at comcast.net>
>>>>>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 10:10 AM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Kirk,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I used the Xantrex 20 for a 400ah house and a group 27 starter 
>>>>>>> (don't
>>>>>>> recall
>>>>>>> how many amp hours that one is). When I did this project I replaced
>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>> batteries (died and early death from the ProMariner) and added the
>>>>>>> starter.
>>>>>>> Very easy job (Herb's description is very good). The only difference
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> me
>>>>>>> is I did not use a bus bar. Instead I peeled off just enough wiring
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> fit
>>>>>>> the 4awg into the monel fittings (with Mr. Hare's advice)...has
>>>>>>> worked
>>>>>>> great
>>>>>>> for 4 seasons...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 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 Kirk
>>>>>>> McCullough
>>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 1:29 AM
>>>>>>> To: C320-List
>>>>>>> Subject: [C320-list] Xantrex shore charger
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I know this has been discussed already, but I would like to know 
>>>>>>> what
>>>>>>> size
>>>>>>> charger is needed or best suited. I am considering the Xantrex 
>>>>>>> iether
>>>>>>> 20
>>>>>>> amp
>>>>>>> or 40 amp.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Any installation tips would also be much appreciated.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Kirk
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Boomerang #124
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>>>>> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.2/1270 - Release Date:
>>>>>>> 2/10/2008
>>>>>>> 12:21 PM
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>
> ____________________________________________________________________________
>>>>>> ________
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>>>>>> know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now.
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>>>>>>
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>>>>>> 3:20 PM
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>>> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.5/1278 - Release Date:
>>>>> 2/14/2008 10:28 AM
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -- 
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>>
>>
>
>

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