[C320-list] Freedom 20 charger/invertor

[Jeff Smith]

Scott and Dave,


Thanks. Scott - That tells me I can confidently (after confirming specs) use either, though I will likely replace with a 30 amp to be safe. Dave - good idea to mount a piece of plywood to the existing mounts. I did not want to drill through the galley wall again, so that solves the problem. I can also pull a line through the galley down to the common bar in the port settee, as this is the same place I had to run my GPS power cable.


Commander-in-Chief of the House (CINC-House for short, aka my wife), would like to wait to see if the $25 fuse fixes the problem. If not, though, I may check back in for assistance.


Now, if someone can tell me how to use the battery selector, I would be eternally grateful. I leave mine on 1 and never touch it. I think that means the charge is directed to the house bank batteries, but I am not sure. I think if I leave it on both, then in my current predicament with an inoperable battery charger, the discharging house bank would draw down my starting battery. I have 4-6D batteries in the house bank, and one starting battery. Should I ever turn the switch to #2?


Thanks again,

Jeff


________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 1, 2018 10:43 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Freedom 20 charger/invertor

Jeff, 40 amps on the DC output side (about 14 volts) is about 40*14=560
watts. That much power is equivalent to about 5 amps on the AC input
side at 110 volts. The comparison ignores the inefficiency in the
charger as well as the difference between AC and DC current. But roughly
speaking the amperage needed for your shore connection is likely to be
far less than the charging output amperage. So you probably would not
need to upgrade your shore power connection. To be sure, read the specs
before you buy.


On 9/1/2018 8:53 AM, Jeff Smith wrote:
> Dave,
>
>
> A few questions for you. I have the Newmar 30Amp ferro-resonant charger and there was a static discharge close by that blew the DC output fuse inside the charger. I am waiting on a new fuse (5 more weeks), but contemplated an upgrade to the Promariner 30Amp.
>
>
>    1.  Why did you go 40-amp instead of the 30-amp? Do you have to step down from 50-amp service or do you still use 30-amp service?
>    2.  Did you have to mount new studs for the Promariner? My Newmar is installed in the aft, starboard locker on the wall that is effectively behind the galley.
>    3.  The Promariner mentioned a common bus bar. Is it hard to run the ground wire to the common bus bar? Did you install this wire? I can only find one thing that looks as if it meets this definition, and it is under my port settee.
>
>
> Thanks for any help. I am trying to remain patient and wait on the fuse to come. I am not positive that was the problem with my charger, but after the static discharge, my AC side worked but I was not receiving an DC output. However, I have been told that the old chargers are much worse on batteries than the new chargers, so maybe I should just bite the bullet.
>
>
> Jeff
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com>
> Sent: Friday, August 31, 2018 7:17 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Freedom 20 charger/invertor
>
> Nat-
> I replaced the old original charger (the type like Warren Updike references) on my 1994 boat with this 40-amp digital ProMariner ProNautic one (very good reviews) for $313 at Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/ProMariner-63140-ProNauticP-12-Volts-Battery/dp/B004NPOT4G#customerReviews
> I also installed this remote charger monitor for $75 from Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/ProMariner-63100-ProNautic-Display-Battery/dp/B009PIR0EW/ref=pd_bxgy_200_2/140-1791473-6856910?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B009PIR0EW&pd_rd_r=6YATJSBP7NBVTKN7NQHK&pd_rd_w=pNhMI&pd_rd_wg=yDBvF&psc=1&refRID=6YATJSBP7NBVTKN7NQHK
> I am very happy with and strongly recommend both.
> Dave Hupe
> 1994 Cat 320 "Mayan Sun" (#32)
> Holland, MI
>
>
>