[C320-list] Battery Charger Problems

[Chris Burti]

I replaced my OEM Promatic with the Promatic 3-30...I subsquently had
the same result as yours...it quit without warning...I couldn't find a
defective diode or rectifier as I assumed that a power surge had blown
one out, so I trash canned it and bought a Xantrex...which has been
problem free for 4 years and I only rarely have to add water to the
batteries.

On Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 12:55 PM, Barry Lambert <blambert at earthlink.net> wrote:
> 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.
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>



-- 
Chris Burti Farmville, NC