[C320-list] Battery Charger Problems

[wflowe3 at aim.com]

 You may have already done this but it is not uncommon for the plugs on the shore power cord to short out. Check to make sure that you have power on the boat end of the cord.

 


 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: BairdRJB <BairdRJB at aol.com>
To: C320-list <C320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Mon, Oct 11, 2010 10:38 am
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