AC Converter Constantly on?

[mistercomputerman]

Once, again, Gary and fwester are correct in their assesments. Pay attention to the charger and the battery profile, RTFM and set the dip switches on the charger properly so you can forget about the batteries for a few years.

 

[Nehalennia]

......... Not sure if Todd answered a previous qustion. Still learning to navigate these forums......

Here's what was said on the " Battery Charger/Inverter? Thread

Essentially what it means by Converter is that it's Converting 120VAC to 12VDC and charging your batteries.

If you have an Inverter/Charger it will Charge your batteries while on 120VAC(Shore power) and when off shore power "invert" the 12VDC to 110VAC back to your panel.

Previous owner of my boat said never to let the Converter on for more than 2 hours or it would burn up my 6 batteries. My neighboors and several other dock friends say they leave theirs on 24/7 while on shore power.

Seems likely to listen to previous owner suggestions..but what to most of of you do?

It depends on your charger type is. Many of the newer "smartchargers" have a 3 stage charging cylce. Fast, Absorbtion and float. My boat had a bad ProMariner Flyback 20-3 when I bought it. I called Promariner to see if it was worth repairing. They offered a new Smart Charger for 50% off list. I bought the ProMariner ProNautic 1240.
It's a great charger and it won't run the risk of damaging, boiling the batteries.

 

[Uplate]

thanks for the summary Todd.

 

[MLauman]

Now about checking water... this looks like it could be a little difficult without pulling out each battery and doing the hydrometer reading and visual check of levels. there is just not enough overhead room above the batteries on the starboard side of my engine room to peek in. Might be able to Hydrometer though.

What do the rest of you do to check battery water levels? Pull and Meter, or is there some sort of slick apparatus available?

My 'slick apparatus' is a 99 cent mirror from the makeup section of Walmart. I pull the caps and visually check the water levels with a drop light.

 

[manythxtoyou]

You can leave shorepower on you just have to turn battery switch off.

 

[Four Suns]

You can leave shorepower on you just have to turn battery switch off.

Huh?

Here... I have a better one: "The black crow flies over the south fence"

 

[osd9]

No, no....no....that was to get into the Letterman show!!!!!

 

[carterchapman]

Huh?

Here... I have a better one: "The black crow flies over the south fence"

I am glad you're back Gary!

 

[Vince_nj1]

My 'slick apparatus' is a 99 cent mirror from the makeup section of Walmart. I pull the caps and visually check the water levels with a drop light.

A few years ago, I started to need reading glasses and often I find that I dont have the proper lighting when I am working on something. I started to use a new trick. I use my digital camera to take pictures of what ever my projet is and then I study the pictures on my PC. The flash lights up the picture and I can blow up it to a large size to study it. It works great and it documents what everthing looked like before starting.

Buying a boat has created a hole bunch of new areas to explore.

 

[HIFI]

Will you leave your AC Converter on while you are running your boat as well as the genset knowing that the battery is getting feed from two charging sources or is this a possible problem?

 

[Uplate]

Will you leave your AC Converter on while you are running your boat as well as the genset knowing that the battery is getting feed from two charging sources or is this a possible problem?

Interesting question. I would assume there must be some sort of safegaurd system to prevent overcharging, but perhaps not. why would you run the Converter while cruising when the alternators whould be doing the job by themselves?

I also have heard that the Genset should not be run at cruise speed as it gets "too much forced cooling water". No idea I only use mine when floating or on the hook.

 

[The W.A.V.E.]

Uplate, check the thread on running the genset while cruising. It does not get more "forced" water. If anything it has to work harder to pull the water through. I think Fwebster or Four Suns explained the dynamice of negative pressure around the inlet while cruising

 

[Four Suns]

If your generator has a through hull that is perpendicular to the water flow (i.e. no scoop on it), water does not get pushed up into hose when you run the boat.

As far as leaving a smart charter/converter on when the engines are turned on, the converter is not going to "double charge" the batteries because it will sense the voltage from the alternator and think the batteries are fully charged.... hence the converter essentially shuts itself off.

 

[XDIVER1]

Hello all
not trying to hijack topic but where would I find the AC converter on my 1999 240 Sundancer.
Thanks for all help

Jim

 

[Bob & Sue]

Welcome

If your boat came with the shore power option the AC converter charger would be mounted in the bilge either port or starboard side on the forward bulkhead.

Not all 240 da came with shore power it was an over night option package according to the spec sheet.

Do you have a shore power plug inlet?
Do you have any 120 volt plug ins in the cabin?

If you do have shore power there would an electrical panel in the cabin somewhere not sure where it is on a 240 the AC Converter breaker would be in it along with the main power breaker and anything else your boat has that's 120 volts fridge, water heater etc.

Next time you should start a new thread with a title describing your question.