[C320-list] Charles Charger Inverter Problem

[Crosby Roper]

Rich,
 
the batteries are the originals that came with the boat whe it was new ca. 6 years ago. If it were a battery problem, sould they charge with the engine and not with the shore power? that was my reasoning in thinking that this was more likely an charger/inverter problem. Thanks for your help and for the battery info. That may be where I am heading.

Crosby Roper, VMD


 
> From: rsulewski at bex.net
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2011 21:26:02 -0400
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Charles Charger Inverter Problem
> 
> 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
> 
> 
>