[C320-list] Battery Charger Problems

[Barry Lambert]

Your problem is with the Promatic (I.e.: "Problematic") charger that comes 
as standard equipment.  Mine went out after three years.  Replaced with 
different a different brand I can't remember the name at the moment.  Get a 
new battery charger and you'll be fine.

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From: <BairdRJB at aol.com>
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 10:38 AM
To: <C320-list at catalina320.com>
Subject: [C320-list] Battery Charger Problems

> Arrived at the boat this weekend to discover both batteries dead;
> completely drained.  Shore power was hooked up correctly and the 
> breaker-switch was
> in the on position for the battery charger.   The  only auxillary units
> left on were the bilge pump and refrigeration.    The boat had been 
> sitting
> unused for several weeks because of the weather.   Mold was starting to 
> appear
> in the fridge, so it must have been out for a  while.  There was not even
> enough power in the batteries to get the marine  radio to function.
>
> Borrowed the marina's battery charger and trickle charged the batteries 
> for
> several hours.   Created enough battery power to turn on the  engine.
> Alternator seems to be working ok.
>
> Question is:   do chargers just up and die like that?    Our is a Promatic
> 30-3.   Doesn't seem to be any switch on the unit  itself.   When the
> dockside power cord is connected to the boat, and  the breaker switch to 
> the
> charger is turned on, the needle on the charger unit  doesn't move at all. 
> And
> yes, there is power coming from the  dock-side outlet through the power
> cable.
>
> Before I order a new unit, I thought I would check in with you  experts.
> Any suggestions would be helpful.  This is our  first full season with the
> boat and still learning.
>
> If there is one factor that may or may not have to do with this problem is
> that several weeks ago I was fiddling with the two knobs at the battery
> panel  where you can switch from battery 1, to 2, All, or off.  Off to the
> right are two red knobs.   I was trying to learn how to turn on the 
> anchor
> windlass (the lower of the two red pull-knobs).   The top knob  appears to 
> be
> the main breaker.  I couldn't get either knob to move and  didn't want to
> bust them by pulling/pushing too hard.  Never did figure out  how to work 
> the
> windlass.  Other than that, I haven't done anything out of  the ordinary.
>
> With the batteries both juiced up again, all seems to be working  well.  I
> left the boat for the week, but did not reattach the shore power  cable.
> Left the battery switch to Battery 1.  The only  auxiliary item left on is
> the bilge pump.   The fridge is now turned  off.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Bob and Ingrid Baird
> Whitehall, Michigan
> Star Dust, 2001, Hull 784
>
>
>
>