AC Converter

HotDirk01

HotDirk01

Member
Aug 6, 2018
117
Fort Worth, Texas
Boat Info
1982 Sea Ray SRV360 Express Cruiser, Crusader 454's, Onan 6.5 Jenny
Engines
454 Crusaders, Direct Drive
Main circuit panel has a switch that says "AC Converter". Can someone tell me when I should turn this on?

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The AC Converer is effectively your battery charger. I read somewhere the differences between a charger and converter, has to do with the constant load of DC devices, and its ability to supply 100% duty cycle current. Do you know what model the charger is, and if it is a "smart charger" to regulate and float charge the batteries (not to overcharge when full)? Normally I would say keeping it on all the time unless it cannot tell if the battery is full.
 
PMC said:
The AC Converer is effectively your battery charger. I read somewhere the differences between a charger and converter, has to do with the constant load of DC devices, and its ability to supply 100% duty cycle current. Do you know what model the charger is, and if it is a "smart charger" to regulate and float charge the batteries (not to overcharge when full)? Normally I would say keeping it on all the time unless it cannot tell if the battery is full.
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HotDirk01 said:
Main circuit panel has a switch that says "AC Converter". Can someone tell me when I should turn this on?

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Just to add to what @PMC said, if it is the original charger (1982) it is most certainly not a smart charger, in which case it should only be left on long enough to get a full charge on the batteries. This removes an important safety feature when tied to a dock for extended periods of time. Specifically, should the boat take on water, the bilge pumps will only run for as long as the battery lasts. For this reason, I strongly recommend an upgrade to a smart charger which can then be left on for extended periods of time.
 
PMC said:
The AC Converer is effectively your battery charger. I read somewhere the differences between a charger and converter, has to do with the constant load of DC devices, and its ability to supply 100% duty cycle current. Do you know what model the charger is, and if it is a "smart charger" to regulate and float charge the batteries (not to overcharge when full)? Normally I would say keeping it on all the time unless it cannot tell if the battery is full.
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I leave my AC converter on whenever I have AC power (shore or genset) that way batteries are always maintained.

-Kevin
 
No - the replaced ferroresonate factory charger was 80 amp with heavy gauge copper wire.
 

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Given the modern battery charger, do I still have to check the water levels in the battery?
 
Given the modern battery charger, do I still have to check the water levels in the battery?
 
Given the modern battery charger, do I still have to check the water levels in the batteries?
 
Yes,if you have flooded batteries,part of your maintenance schedule unless you want to be out there with dry,dead batteries after your last start leaving the dock
 
I am also new to a 2005 340 and have a related question. If the boat is not plugged into shore power, and everything on the main panel is off, but the switches on the panel in the engine room are on, will the bilge pumps be powered?
 
DaveDep said:
I am also new to a 2005 340 and have a related question. If the boat is not plugged into shore power, and everything on the main panel is off, but the switches on the panel in the engine room are on, will the bilge pumps be powered?
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You need to check your own set up but the bilge pumps should be wired independent of the main battery switches.

If you have a lighted bilge pump switch on the helm turn it on when you have your battery switches in the off position. It's a good indication that you have power to your pump.
 
DaveDep said:
I am also new to a 2005 340 and have a related question. If the boat is not plugged into shore power, and everything on the main panel is off, but the switches on the panel in the engine room are on, will the bilge pumps be powered?
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Bilge pumps are wired direct to the batteries. Switches (any of them) have no effect one way or the other on the automatic function of the bilge pumps.
 
Even though I have a "smart" charger charging my batteries I have no idea as to the actual health of the individual batteries. Occasionally I will turn off the charger for a week and make sure all DC circuits are open and then check voltage of the battery banks. If one is lower than the other I can investigate further to see if a battery is going bad. With dry cell or AGM you cant tell a cell is bad like you can with flooded lead acid batteries. Last summer I found a bad battery that way and found when charging it was getting hot as opposed to the others.
 
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