Battery / Charger problem & need info......

[brian kowalski]

:smt100 OK here is the situation.
I've got 1987 S.R. Sundancer 268 with a built in charger that came with the boat. I know the charger is a 20 amp and has a 3 bank capability. I'm using 2 of those 3 banks.
On the first bank I've got 1 battery, second bank is the same, 1 battery.
I've got a battery selector switch, which in set on ALL.
This is what happened.......
The motor was having a tough time cranking, as if batts were dead/dying. So I, in my infinite wisdom, put the circuit breaker switch for the convertor to ON and tried to crank again. Same situation, very little.
Now, prior to doing this cranking, the battery charger was reading 5 when it was active. After cranking, the battery charger did not read anything. I took out the batteries and put them on a regular charger. It took overnight for them to reach a "Low" state. So I suppose that the batts are now charged.
What the hell did I do???????????:smt013
Are my batts shot????????:smt089:smt013
Is my convertor dead?????:wow::smt013:smt089

:smt100:smt100:smt100:smt100​

I wanna put this thing in the water, but am now scared too, as I don't know which item is the problem.

:smt038Any advice would be greatly appreciated:smt038​

Thanks in advance,
Brian​

 

[brian kowalski]

UPDATE to this problem:
I found that I have "AGM" style batteries and the charger/convertor is a "ProMite fully automatic".
I put the batteries back into the boat and they function OK, but still have not tried to crank with them yet.
I took a Multimeter reading with the batteries in the circuit while the convertor/charger was switched on. The batteries read (at their terminals) 17 on one and 18 on the other.
I can only assume that the charger/convertor is putting out a charge, although the guage is not reading that output. (Broken guage????)
Any other comments / advice???
Thanks,
Brian

 

[fc3]

Assuming your meter is accurate, 17 and 18 volts is far too high. What's the everything, including the charger, off voltage? 12.9-13.0 is fully charged. Under 12 is 50% discharged. Under 11 is dead, dead, dead.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[rondds]

first, you should hear a HUM from the charger when it is switched on. if you dont it's dead. if you hear the HUM, then take a voltage reading at the terminals with the charger off, then with the charger on. should be higher with the charger on - sounds like you have done this already. also sounds like the charger is working OK. could be your batteries are dead. you'll have to wait to see if they hold a charge. leave the charger off for a week or so and take another battery voltage reading. they shouldnt drop to much less than about 13 volts. certainly anything less than 12 and they are dogmeat.

 

[Sorrento 25]

Those old chargers are notorious for cooking batteries and the fact that you are reading 17 and 18V while it is charging is a good indication that they are being cooked. Replace it ASAP.

 

[MLauman]

Those old chargers are notorious for cooking batteries and the fact that you are reading 17 and 18V while it is charging is a good indication that they are being cooked. Replace it ASAP.

Agree! A 20+ year old charger is very old technology and should be replaced with a modern multi-stage unit.

 

[rondds]

that's actually good advice that i never thought of! probalby time for a change. any recommendations, maybe for a product sold on this site??

 

[brian kowalski]

UPDATE***************
I took a MultiMeter reading of the batteries while in the boat. The charrger/convertor was off. The batteries read 16.6 on one and 17.8 on the other.
Well the held a charge?.?.
I guess its time for a new charger/convertor????
Recomendations would be great...............................
Need a 2 bank with at least 20 amp service. PRICE is a big factor. I currently have AGM batteries, but am not totally loyal to them, other styles in my future may look promising.
Thanks in advance,
Brian

 

[Hampton]

Stay loyal to your AGMs. I think they're worth every penny. It hurts to replace them, but most people replace boats before AGMs. And if not, even better for you.

 

[Nehalennia]

I just installed a new ProMariner Pronautic 1240i. It's a 3 bank 40A charger.
17V and 18V doesn't sound right, and I'm really not sure how that would come to be.

 

[Sundancer]

I've been looking at that big ugly charger in my 1989 and have had the same thoughts. It's great for cooking batteries and the owners manual states its for AGM's which seems strange. I didn't even know they MADE AGM's that far back? Anyway, it has lead acid batteries in it now and I think ProMariner Pronautic 1240i might be the ticket! That way I don't have to worry if I leave it plugged in all the time.