[C320-list] Charles Charger Inverter Problem

[Rick Sulewski]

Crosby,

How old is your battery bank? Your batteries may have lost their recharge
capacity over time and now even a quick but intense charge may not last very
long.

One of my West Marine batteries acted as you described over the weekend. The
battery quickly lost a charge, even after being charged and even after the
motor had been running for some time.

I changed out my batteries yesterday and installed Interstate deep cycle SRM
4Ds at a cost of only $333 total for both batteries with a core exchange.
Each battery now has 1314 CCA and 390 reserve minutes at 25A. I called
around and purchased the batteries from a boat dealer who has an Interstate
Battery Truck making a delivery several times a week.

We never run the fridge while off the boat and got 9 years out of the OEM
4Ds with over 45 nights away from the dock each year. We only got 5 1/2
years out of the West Marine Seavolt 4Ds that had something like only 220
reserve minutes from each battery when they were new. 

Rick
My-Ria #277

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Crosby Roper
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 8:36 PM
To: c320-list at catalina320.org
Subject: [C320-list] Charles Charger Inverter Problem


Hi All,
 
I have Hull # 1054 with the 30 Amp Charles charger-inverter. I went down to
the boat the other day to go for a sail and found that the batteries were
too low to start the engine. I re-connected the shore power and was able to
start the engine without a problem. While out, I ran the engine for a good
40 minutes and the batteries seemed to charge, as I was able to restart the
engine several times without any problem. Went down to the boat again
yesterday and the same thing.  WHile she is at the slip, I do leave the
Fridge running, so I think this is what is draining the battery. The Amp
meter on the Charles will initially reads in the 20-25 range, but quickly
(Within 10-15 seconds) drops to the 5 range, even though the batteries are
low. I took off the face panel and changed the AC and DC fuse, but the
problem still exists. 
 
Not sure where to go at this point. I've e-mailed and called the Charles
service department today, but have not had a response.  I'm hoping one of
you smart engineering types can help. You see, I got a C- in college physics
so I couldn't figure this stuff out 30 years ago, and am apparently no
smarter now:)
 
Thanks for your help.

Crosby Roper, VMD
Tethys 
San Diego, CA