[C320-list] Link 20 High Consumption Rate

[vpweikel at comcast.net]

Mike, 



On two occasions, my Heart Freedom inverter drew high amps while recharging.  During one of the instances, the overload light even lit up. 



After investigation, it was noticed that the battery water level was low.  Adding water solved the problem. 



I don't know if this applies to your situation, but it bears checking the battery water level. 



Low water level increases the internal battery resistance and leads to high current draw. 





Just a thought. 





Paul Weikel 

Second Chance 

Hull 361 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Ott" <wmo48 at yahoo.com> 
To: "Catalina 320 Association" <C320-list at Catalina320.com> 
Sent: Sunday, March 6, 2011 3:42:18 PM 
Subject: [C320-list] Link 20 High Consumption Rate 

Hello all, 
Since Amanda Lu swings from a mooring ball most of the time she is in the water, 
we track our electrical consumption religiously.  We only have the alternator 
and a small solar panel to provide input juice and since we like to sail instead 
of motor; I have been called the 'Amp Nazis' by my first mate if the consumption 
starts to climb and draw her attention to it. 
  
We use a Link 20 to track our usage it seems to work OK, with one annoying 
point; it appears to draw too much juice.  

  
Since we are on the Hard for the winter I have been doing some detailed 
testing.  The Link 20 manual says the meter in 'sleep' mode (only green bars 
showing) draws 25 mA, which translates to a consumption of 4.2 amps per week.  
Over the last few weeks I am averaging a draw of over 14 amps per week.  The 
usage does jump when the Full Display is on ( 170 mA) but during my tests, I 
only use Full Display to obtain my figures.  I have used external meters to 
confirm nothing else is running and I have moved the Link 20 power lead from one 
battery to the other and get the same results.  The other battery typically only 
loses about 2 to 3 amps per week. 
  
The other interesting thing is that the green light bars still show full charge 
on both batteries, even if the battery running the Link shows a power 
consumption of 50 amps (we have 200 amp hour batteries).  I know that the green 
light bar function uses a different method (Peukert's Equation) to display 
battery capacity, but if the amps are being consumed shouldn't I see a less 
green bars on the bank powering the Link ? 
  
Any thoughts on a solution ? 
  
Mike 
'Amanda Lu' 
# 508