[C320-list] Battery Charger Mystery

[Jon Vez]

Hi Dave,

I am a former 320 owner and I'm willing to bet it was the vented loop. The
little joker valve in the top of the vented loop must be cleaned on a
regular basis as salt crystals will naturally form and cause it to fail.
Many owners neglect these, but it's important to check. I believe there was
a Mainsheet article on cleaning this out a few years ago.
The Charles chargers are actually pretty good chargers and should not be
confused with the junk Pro Mariner Flybacks that many (including me) swapped
out for the Xantrex the Dick mentions. I have the Charles on my 355 and I'm
quite happy with it...

BTW, what is the depth in Cohasset? We've always been leary to enter because
it looks awful shallow in there...

Good luck...

Regards,

Jon Vez

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Henderson,
David
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 3:06 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Battery Charger Mystery

Hello All,  I have an issue that I don't remember ever seeing on the list,
and would appreciate any input or advice.

Boat was launched last Friday afternoon (YEAH!!!).   Sailed her to home
port in Cohasset, MA next day.  Upon arrival, plugged shore power and
flipped on the breaker for my Charles Industries 30 amp charger.
Immediately heard a "snap, crackle & pop" kind of sound coming from the
direction of the port cockpit locker.  Shut off the breaker and went to
investigate.  Found water droplets all over the cover of the charger and a
smell of something electrical that had burned.  Subsequent multimeter test
of the charger confirmed it was dead  - plenty of AC still going in, but no
DC coming out.  I think it's safe to assume that the water got inside as
well and fried it.  Upon removing the charger next day, noticed salt
crystals all over exterior - it would seem that ocean water is the culprit.

I have shipped the charger back to Charles to see if it can be repaired.
Meantime, my real question is, how the heck did the water get in there?
This is 8th season with this boat and have never had this problem
before.   The weather conditions during Saturday's sail were light winds
and calm seas.  No waves or chop, and no chance of getting the rail in the
water.  

Two possibilities I can think of:  1) The vented loop in the locker.
Believe this is part of raw water cooling system.   I checked the hose
clamps and they were reasonably (not completely) tight.  When I started
engine for first time, it took several minutes for the pink stuff antifreeze
to pump through and out.  It must have coagulated or there was some other
blockage as all of a sudden there was a big burp and a bunch came out at
once, and she pumped pure salt water beautifully after that.  Before it
cleared itself, perhaps there was enough back pressure to force salt water
out of the vented loop, and it sprayed onto the
charger???   2) Condensation  -  There were a couple of very wet towels
and coils of line in the locker.  Were the drops of water on/in the charger
just condensation???? 

Anybody else lose a charger in this way?  Thanks much.

Dave Henderson

"Dottie B"  #1049