Charger dead?

[Jay400EC]

Pretty sure the battery charger/converter is dead or not putting out power. The current and what appears to be factory set up is 1 bank group 27 for port engine 2nd bank 2-group 27's for starboard/house. starboard had been giving trouble starting even when on charger, all the dock experts said replace batteries because if one of the 2 are dead it will fool the charger....replaced all 3 group 27's 2 weeks later starboard bank dead after sitting on shore power all weekend. Port fine (nothing draws off of it) so I tested yesterday with meter across batteries no change in voltage with charger on or off, checked the red circuit breakers they seemed fine....anything else to check before I figure out how my fat body can get to charger in front of engine to figure out how to replace charger , I don't even know what it is???? Thanks. Oh by the way if I start the port engine and let it idle about 3 minutes later the starboard starts with no issue.......

 

[Bt Doctur]

somethings very wrong with that set up . each engine and wiring system should be separate. port engine should not be charging the stbd battery .

 

[Jay400EC]

somethings very wrong with that set up . each engine and wiring system should be separate. port engine should not be charging the stbd battery .

Umm,care to elaborate, there are 3 other sea rays on our dock that all appear the same,nothing looks non factory. I have read otherwise that any engine running will charge all banks............

 

[Sublimetime]

nothing wrong with that setup--your altenators are wired to a battery combiner/isolator. This allows either engine to charge either bank of batteries withou interconnecting them. That is why there is usually an emergency crossover solenoid also wired to both battery banks. You have a bad charger or blown fuses.on battery feeds from charger.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Just that the new motors with the ECM`s need a dedicated starting battery for the engine.
To me that means nothing else connected to the engines battery. The engines charging system should keep the engine batteries up to par. If the stbd battery keeps going dead, find out why. Good batteries don't go dead. If the house batteries keep going dead, find out why.
A dead AC charger, bad isolators, there has to be a reason there is no charge.
Keep "spiking" the ECM`s and they`ll be dead too.
If your twin has 1 battery switch, its wired wrong
If your twin dosent have a dedicated battery for each engine, its wired wrong
If you don't have true " independent electrical systems" for the port engine and the stbd engine its wired wrong.
If you have house batteries connected to a engine starting battery, its wired wrong

 

[Jay400EC]

Just that the new motors with the ECM`s need a dedicated starting battery for the engine.
To me that means nothing else connected to the engines battery. The engines charging system should keep the engine batteries up to par. If the stbd battery keeps going dead, find out why. Good batteries don't go dead. If the house batteries keep going dead, find out why.
A dead AC charger, bad isolators, there has to be a reason there is no charge.
Keep "spiking" the ECM`s and they`ll be dead too.
If your twin has 1 battery switch, its wired wrong
If your twin dosent have a dedicated battery for each engine, its wired wrong
If you don't have true " independent electrical systems" for the port engine and the stbd engine its wired wrong.
If you have house batteries connected to a engine starting battery, its wired wrong

Its a 1994 it has no ECM's ................

Has a switch for each bank, again factory set up!

Factory set up here, port is 1 battery bank, starboard is 2 batteries in one bank, includes house, original and very common set up.

There are 2 banks house is combined with starboard, so I guess most of the 1990's DA's were wrong in your opinion from the factory.

Clearly I was looking for some diagnostic advice as this 40' boat is not my 1st rodeo, no someone telling me the boat was made wrong.......

The reason the starboard battery goes dead is because it part of the house bank and not getting charged for whatever reason, its the factory setup I agree its not Ideal but it worked for the last 21 years, not about to change it. the port engine battery only starts the boat so it never goes dead.

I agree the charger is either caput or the isolator has failed. I need to remove the helm seat to access the charger and will do so Tomorrow,.

Anyone know how to test a isolator? and does anyone know if there are actual fuses inside the charger, I have read yes and no. The red push in breakers are ok.

thanks

 

[Jay400EC]

Just that the new motors with the ECM`s need a dedicated starting battery for the engine.
To me that means nothing else connected to the engines battery. The engines charging system should keep the engine batteries up to par. If the stbd battery keeps going dead, find out why. Good batteries don't go dead. If the house batteries keep going dead, find out why.
A dead AC charger, bad isolators, there has to be a reason there is no charge.
Keep "spiking" the ECM`s and they`ll be dead too.
If your twin has 1 battery switch, its wired wrong
If your twin dosent have a dedicated battery for each engine, its wired wrong
If you don't have true " independent electrical systems" for the port engine and the stbd engine its wired wrong.
If you have house batteries connected to a engine starting battery, its wired wrong

Its a 1994 it has no ECM's ................

Has a switch for each bank, again factory set up!

Factory set up here, port is 1 battery bank, starboard is 2 batteries in one bank, includes house, original and very common set up.

There are 2 banks house is combined with starboard, so I guess most of the 1990's DA's were wrong in your opinion from the factory.

Clearly I was looking for some diagnostic advice as this 40' boat is not my 1st rodeo, not someone telling me the boat was made wrong.......

The reason the starboard battery goes dead is because it part of the house bank and not getting charged for whatever reason, its the factory setup I agree its not Ideal but it worked for the last 21 years, not about to change it. the port engine battery only starts the boat so it never goes dead.

I agree the charger is either caput or the isolator has failed. I need to remove the helm seat to access the charger and will do so Tomorrow,.

Anyone know how to test a isolator? and does anyone know if there are actual fuses inside the charger, I have read yes and no. The red push in breakers are ok.

thanks

 

[Jay400EC]

nothing wrong with that setup--your altenators are wired to a battery combiner/isolator. This allows either engine to charge either bank of batteries withou interconnecting them. That is why there is usually an emergency crossover solenoid also wired to both battery banks. You have a bad charger or blown fuses.on battery feeds from charger.

THANK YOU ! now to dig in tomorrow and find out why.

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Same SeaRay stock batt set-up as mine.
My OEM charger failed years ago and didn't have any visible fuses on it so, tossed it!
It was VERY heavy once removed...like have a dock cart ready, heavy..
You don't have to move the helm seat if you can slither in front of the starboard engine.
I kept the same set-up as stock and went with a Pro Mariner 40 amp 3 bank (2 banks + the genny's batt) that's been great for years now..

 

[rondds]

Same setup as my '89 340DB. Agreed you should replace the stbd "house" bank in pairs. Port battery also starts generator, if I remember correctly, and sit does nothing but start, it tends to last longer. I got 8 seasons from the port battery, but the stbd bank I'd replace after 4 seasons.

Sounds like a bad charger based on your tests - should get more voltage when the charger is on and when the engine is running.

 

[dpmulvey]

How could the OP test the charger? Agree that something is wrong if you are losing charge that fast. Do you turn off all 12VDC when you leave the boat?

 

[Jay400EC]

How could the OP test the charger? Agree that something is wrong if you are losing charge that fast. Do you turn off all 12VDC when you leave the boat?

Good Question, the only thing 12V I leave on is the fresh water pump for the ice maker...thanks for the reply.

 

[Jay400EC]

Same setup as my '89 340DB. Agreed you should replace the stbd "house" bank in pairs. Port battery also starts generator, if I remember correctly, and sit does nothing but start, it tends to last longer. I got 8 seasons from the port battery, but the stbd bank I'd replace after 4 seasons.

Sounds like a bad charger based on your tests - should get more voltage when the charger is on and when the engine is running.

I replaced them all thinking I had a bad cell and wanting a fresh start with the boat being new to me last season. I actually have the pair for starboard,1 for port and a separate genny only battery. thanks for the reply.

 

[Jay400EC]

Same SeaRay stock batt set-up as mine.
My OEM charger failed years ago and didn't have any visible fuses on it so, tossed it!
It was VERY heavy once removed...like have a dock cart ready, heavy..
You don't have to move the helm seat if you can slither in front of the starboard engine.
I kept the same set-up as stock and went with a Pro Mariner 40 amp 3 bank (2 banks + the genny's batt) that's been great for years now..

I wish I could get in there ,I have had too many beers on board over the years, not going to happen, the seat isn't that bad with a helper.... I have been eyeing the Pro mariner 1240p with the remote indicator pad, and will likely go for it once I do the test....how was the change out wiring did it match up pretty well? Thanks Mark, you definitely know the 400EC inside and out!

 

[Air O'Nautical]

I wish I could get in there ,I have had too many beers on board over the years, not going to happen, the seat isn't that bad with a helper.... I have been eyeing the Pro mariner 1240p with the remote indicator pad, and will likely go for it once I do the test....how was the change out wiring did it match up pretty well? Thanks Mark, you definitely know the 400EC inside and out!

I'd rent a skinny friend to swap out the charger..I hate moving the seats.
The wiring is the same as long as it's another 3 bank charger.

Also, I needed to use two lengths of Starboard material to bridge the gap of the new mount footprint VS the old charger footprint.
It shares the same floor space as the water heater so, it's elevated in case of a leak and prob. helps with its cooling too.

 

[Mike Blake]

Why don't you just test the output of the charger??? Before you go waste more money????

 

[Jay400EC]

Why don't you just test the output of the charger??? Before you go waste more money????

Thats the plan. I posted that originally and several other times.

 

[h_gerry]

I am having the exact same problem!!! While out with friends for a dinner cruise, I just had to climb into the bilge with a portable battery charger to try to charge the starboard batteries after anchoring for only an hour even though the main charger was on while the generator was running. I can't figure out if the charger is bad or if there is something draining the circuit. I had a voltage reading of 8.5 volts before putting the charger on. Even with the portable charger running at a 40amp charge, I was only getting a 9.0 volt reading. I separated the starboard batteries and still had the same readings on both batteries. It took a while but I was able to get the starboard engine started. With the engine running connected to one battery I had a voltage reading of 12.5 volts from the alternator. I will check it in the morning to see what I have. So, how do I check the charger? Any test for the isolator? I am wondering if something is shorting the battery out or draining it faster than the charger can charge it.

 

[mquiet]

Your alternator seems low if it is putting out only12.5 colts to your battery.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[h_gerry]

Your alternator seems low if it is putting out only12.5 colts to your battery.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

so after some further investigation: all batteries load tested ok. Using a better digital meter, alternator running at 13.3 volts but battery charger not doing anything. No change observed with charger on or off, even with a load (5 amps of lights on).

Time for a new battery charger!