Here's a concise and handy guideline that was included in the
installation manual for my new Victron charger:

Problem: Charger does not function
Possible Cause: Inadequate AC power. (Restore or reconfigure AC)
Possible Cause: Input or output fuses defective. (Consult your dealer)

Problem: The battery does not get fully charged
Possible Cause: A bad battery connection. (Check connections)
Posible Cause: Battery type selection switch set improperly. (Change
switch settings)
Possible Cause: Battery capacity is too large. (Make sure charger
capacity matches battery)

Problem: The battery is being overcharged
Possible Cause: Battery type selection switch set improperly. (Change
switch settings)
Possible Cause: A single cell in the battery is defective. (Replace
battery)
Possible Cause: Battery is undersized for charger. (Consult battery
supplier)

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...
Here's a concise and handy guideline that was included in the
installation manual for my new Victron charger:



Do you ever stop thinking about boats and boating Chuck? There is, after
all, more to life than that.

What are you going to post next..........guidelines included in the
installation manual for your head?

JimH wrote:
"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...
Here's a concise and handy guideline that was included in the
installation manual for my new Victron charger:



Do you ever stop thinking about boats and boating Chuck? There is, after
all, more to life than that.

Of course there is.
And when I'm not involved with either working or recreating, there's no
reason to think about boats.




What are you going to post next..........guidelines included in the
installation manual for your head?

Probably not.

I thought these might be useful as they will apply to a wide variety of
chargers, not just the unit I recently installed.

As far as "Omigawd, Gould is posting more boating related material on
the rec.boats site!"
Guilty. I am under the confused and misguided impression that boat
stuff is why the site exists. :-)

Have you any tips or observations to add to the topic "Troubleshooting
a battery charger"?

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
ups.com...

JimH wrote:
"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...
Here's a concise and handy guideline that was included in the
installation manual for my new Victron charger:



Do you ever stop thinking about boats and boating Chuck? There is,
after
all, more to life than that.

Of course there is.
And when I'm not involved with either working or recreating, there's no
reason to think about boats.




What are you going to post next..........guidelines included in the
installation manual for your head?

Have you any tips or observations to add to the topic "Troubleshooting
a battery charger"?


Yes.

Refer back to the installation manual or call the manufacturer.

Do you have a life outside of boating Chuck?

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
On 12/29/2006 9:08 PM, JimH wrote:
"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...
Here's a concise and handy guideline that was included in the
installation manual for my new Victron charger:



Do you ever stop thinking about boats and boating Chuck? There is,
after all, more to life than that.

What are you going to post next..........guidelines included in the
installation manual for your head?

How about "Chuck's Guide to Towel Drying Your Boat after Use"?

You know, selection of towels, brands (potential advertisers), which way
to rub, how often to wring, and, of course, color of towels.


I am sure he can post the manufacturers recommendations in case the boat
gets wet. After all, it is On Topic and of interest to all.

On 29 Dec 2006 18:25:59 -0800, "Chuck Gould"
wrote:

Have you any tips or observations to add to the topic "Troubleshooting
a battery charger"?

Yes. If output voltage at the battery is low, or charging is
incomplete, check for adequate wire size - particularly the ground
wire if charging multiple batteries. The ground wire carries the
entire combined current for all batteries and must be sized
accordingly.

Do you ever stop thinking about boats and boating Chuck? There is, after
all, more to life than that.

This *IS* a boating newsgroup aint it? This is the type of remark that gets
crap started, and this thread will now spiral out of control.

He was helping the OP with a relevant post. Why did you have to destroy the
effort?

--Mike

"JimH" not telling you @ pffftt.com wrote in message
. ..

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...
Here's a concise and handy guideline that was included in the
installation manual for my new Victron charger:



Do you ever stop thinking about boats and boating Chuck? There is, after
all, more to life than that.

What are you going to post next..........guidelines included in the
installation manual for your head?

Wayne.B wrote:
On 29 Dec 2006 18:25:59 -0800, "Chuck Gould"
wrote:

Have you any tips or observations to add to the topic "Troubleshooting
a battery charger"?

Yes. If output voltage at the battery is low, or charging is
incomplete, check for adequate wire size - particularly the ground
wire if charging multiple batteries. The ground wire carries the
entire combined current for all batteries and must be sized
accordingly.

Thanks, Wayne. That's an excellent addition to the list.

Much to the chagrin of a few folks with little or no interest in
boating, it is still possible to
develop a boating related discussion on rec.boats.

Anybody else got something useful to add?

Mike wrote:
Do you ever stop thinking about boats and boating Chuck? There is, after
all, more to life than that.

This *IS* a boating newsgroup aint it? This is the type of remark that gets
crap started, and this thread will now spiral out of control.

He was helping the OP with a relevant post. Why did you have to destroy the
effort?

--Mike

No worries Mike. The thread isn't destroyed. It will only "spiral out
of control" if somebody takes the hateful bait. Simply consider the
source. (If you're new here, you'll know before very long exactly what
I mean).

Got any tips based on observation or experience for maintaining or
troubleshooting a battery charger?

The thread isn't destroyed. It will only "spiral out
of control" if somebody takes the hateful bait.

Yeah, we'll see what happens. I've been here for about 3 years, but
hadn't posted much since I was a new boater then. I came here for info, and
usually found what I needed using the handy search feature ;-)

All I can do is echo Wayne's remarks about proper wire sizing, but that's
mainly for a fast charge, or starting amps. For a trickle charge it isn't as
important.

--Mike

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
ps.com...

Mike wrote:
Do you ever stop thinking about boats and boating Chuck? There is,
after
all, more to life than that.

This *IS* a boating newsgroup aint it? This is the type of remark that
gets
crap started, and this thread will now spiral out of control.

He was helping the OP with a relevant post. Why did you have to destroy
the
effort?

--Mike

No worries Mike. The thread isn't destroyed. It will only "spiral out
of control" if somebody takes the hateful bait. Simply consider the
source. (If you're new here, you'll know before very long exactly what
I mean).

Got any tips based on observation or experience for maintaining or
troubleshooting a battery charger?