[C320-list] BATTERY CHARGER

[Donald Lawson]

I am in the process of adding a dedicated start battery and paralleling the 2 4D  batteries for house use on my 2004.  I have the stock Charles  charger in the cockpit locker. 
The stock wiring from the charger is 6AWG with a 30 amp fuse within 7" of each battery terminal per ABYC. I have verified what I have against the Catalina wiring diagram and they match. This Catalina wiring diagram shows the 30 amp fusing was added around March of 2003. The wiring diagram also indicates the inline fuse was deleted later that month as the Charles Chargers are internally protected. My 2004 still has the fuses as I expect they all do. The round trip runs are no more than 30 feet, and for a 3% drop 6AWG is adequate.  Warren,  what size ANL fuse did you use and where did you put it? Got a Part No?
Don Lawson #1005 Mandolin Wind

On Feb 2, 2012, at 3:22 PM, Warren Updike wrote:

> While ABYC recommends fusing on the battery leads the early 320s had none.
> When I upgraded our charging systems I added a large ANL fuse on the common
> negative cable on the advice of my trusted upgrade advisor.  Still, it is a
> good idea.  Were I to do it again, I'd strongly consider using terminal fuse
> blocks (Blue Sea Systems.)  They are clean, and never out of sight.  See
> them at WM.
> 
> If your charger is in the V-birth as is mine, 4AWG is sufficient for stbd
> side batteries.  If your charger is in the cockpit locker as are some on
> later 320s, I can't say.  Check the length of the run and consult the charts
> for cable size.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: JJ Morrison [mailto:sail-ability at sympatico.ca] 
> Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 1:02 PM
> To: Catalina List
> Subject: [C320-list] BATTERY CHARGER
> 
> 
> I've got rid of that peanut Pro Mariner charger and am in the process of
> installing the Xantrex Tru Charge. I can find no sign of inline fuses in the
> charging cables and Xantrex recommends they be installed next to the
> batteries; did Catalina not install fuses in the charging system? Also the
> cabling from the charger is AWG 4 which I'm guessing will be sufficient to
> handle the 40amps?
> Thanks
> JohnM
> 1999#574
>  		 	   		  
>