[C320-list] Fridge Usage

[Colin Evans]

Warren,
The Xantrex 40 shore charger charges both batteries irrespective of battery
selector setting, so If we are out for only a few days I leave the battery
selector on house bank only as the start battery is fully charged when we
leave the marina.  If we are out for longer I will put battery selector to
both when running the engine to ensure that the start battery is good in
case of emergency. 
One of our local 320 sailors has suggested a method of using the multi-meter
as a temporary ammeter to check for leakage so I will try that tomorrow,
turning each switch on the board on in turn.

*************************
Regards
Colin Evans
Watermark #774
Lake Macquarie, Australia
 

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
Sent: Saturday, 17 December 2011 10:23 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage

Yes, it does.  Sounds correct.  That's what I had to do with mine.
You don't mention how you are charging the starting battery.  Assuming your
alternator and shore charger are connected to your house bank, that doesn't
leave a charge source for the starting battery.  I used a Blue Sea ACR relay
to provide a charge current to the house bank whenever the shore charger or
alternator are active.  How do you charge the starting battery?
Warren

-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Evans [mailto:twosailors at bigpond.com] 
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 5:54 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage

Warren,
We have two house bateries and a starting battery.  I`m looking at the
Victron BMV 600.  I don`t see the point of the BMV602 as we already have a
voltage monitor for the start battery on the switch board. 
The current ( no pun intended) situation are three cables to the negative
post PLUS one additional connecting the two house batteries together.
Should I leave that connecting cable on the battery with only the cable to
the shunt.
My thoughts were to have two cables on the battery negative post, one
connecting the house bank and the other going to the shunt, then the
existing THREE cables on the other side of the shunt.
Does this sound correct 
Thanks
*************************
Regards
Colin Evans
Watermark #774
Lake Macquarie, Australia
 

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
Sent: Friday, 16 December 2011 8:15 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage

Colin, installing the monitor is straight forward.  Just remember, the only
negative cable that should attach to the bank(s) being monitored is the
negative from the shunt(s).  No other negative cables must attach to the
banks.  That means that you may have to use a separate post to collect the
negative cables prior to the shunt.  (3 connectors is the max recommended on
a post.)
I made the mistake of attaching the negative from the shore charger to one
of the battery posts. As a consequence, none of the charge current was seen
by the monitor.  So, I was seeing the current going out; but, none
returning.
Warren

-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Evans [mailto:twosailors at bigpond.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 3:20 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage

Thanks again Karl,
The reading I have are virtually as your at the fridge and battery when
fridge is on and off.  Yours is .02v/.68vfridge off/on, mine os .02v/.54v
off/on.  Seems like I don`t have too much of a problem, though cleaning the
connections can`t do any harm. As you say, it isn`t easy in that port
locker.  
It is still my intention to fit a monitor over the next few weeks and see if
we are getting a loss elsewhere, as many 320 owners have advised that they
are a good idea.
*************************
Regards
Colin Evans
Watermark #774
Lake Macquarie, Australia
 

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Karl
Mielenhausen
Sent: Thursday, 15 December 2011 5:55 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage

Colin,

Here is some more data to ponder, from Hull #690 taken this morning:

Adler-Barbour Cold Machine
Fridge energized, thermostst set @ 1, not running (ie. OFF cycle)
@ Battery Bank 12.60 vDC
@ DC Buss on breaker panel (at connection from battery) 12.59vDC
@ switched side of the fridge breaker 12.59 vDC
@ fridge (at the white multitap insulated connector, called a terminal
strip in their manual, drawing on pg. 24)  12.58 vDC

Net drop: no more than .02v DC

Note that the last reading dropped to 11.90 vDC when the fridge kicked in.
This is more drop (0.68v DC) than I expected but the batteries are
obviously not at full charge.

As Stephen suggests, before you start replacing the relay and/or compressor
control module, try breaking and cleaning all electrical connections at the
compressor. Not an easy task but worth attempting.

Cheers,
Karl




On Tue, Dec 13, 2011 at 8:17 PM, Stephen Cox <scox at timmin.com> wrote:

>
> >
> > OK. Lets assume Catalina used 8 gauge wire and the path is to
> > the breaker panel then out to the compressor near the stern
> > or 20' one-way from the battery.
> > Using this tool to solve for a load that would result in a
> > 0.2 vDC drop
> > (http://genuinedealz.com/voltage-drop.html)
> > I get 7.7 amps!!!!
> >
> > I assume you are measuring at the compressor and not at the
> > breaker (although I'd like to have the breaker reading also).
> >
> > So, no, a 0.2 VDC drop does not seem correct when the fridge
> > is not cycling.
> >
>
> I would try wriggling the connectors at each end of all the wires involved
> before panicking.  The push on connectors do build up corrosion over time
> in
> a salt water environment and could be causing the difference.
>
> Stephen Cox
> Tegwen #1141
>
>