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?

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.

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?

Hi, Chuck, and thank you.

Of course, we all know about www.batteryfaq.org, which I find a great
reference. Be prepared to spend some time digging and reading.

It continues to amaze me how technical a topic boating is. I can identify
with my new-boater friend who thought you just turned the key and pushed the
lever. He's not finding the old joke about "BOAT= 'break out another
thousand'" currently very amusing. However, the technicalities, over the
years, have proved to be a distinct part of the pleasure (and undeniably
also often a major pain in the transom), and paying attention to them makes
boating safer ... and less expensive.

My main battery problems over the years have been from corroded
connections - boy, can that ever sneak up on you! Also, a deep cycle
"suddenly" (?) went bad on me once, and fried the alternator. I'm not sure
that was foreseeable, but many boaters view a digital voltmeter as essential
for keeping an eye on a battery's health. Checking the specific gravity is
better, but in the real world, a voltmeter will get used more often. If
they're not _perfect_, replace immediately. (The literature says "or repair"
but I have never heard of it actually being done.)

The extra money spent on good batteries can more than pay for itself. I know
some friends who use a high-end brand but get 10 years out of them ... _and_
are very knowledgeable about maintenance. Really good charging matters, and
doesn't happen all by itself. See the reference quoted above. Charging is
the topic you started us on.

Batteries and charging is always a good discussion point among boaters. It
rivals "what's the best anchor" as a subject of controversy and strong
opinion. But they're good conversations to have, sifting fact from
speculation, and making mental notes ...

Batteries and charges are one of the essential systems on any boat with an
engine. We can manage without a fridge or a transom wash-down, but not
without well-charged batteries. Good winter topic. Thanks again.

Charles

====

Charles T. Low
www.boatdocking.com

====

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

Anybody else got something useful to add?

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


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"?

Here's a question: Which is better for maintaining the battery over the
winter, infrequent charges on the 10 amp setting or more frequent and
longer charges on the 2 amp setting. I've been using the 2 amp and leaving
it on overnight. It's an automatic charger, so it stops charging when the
battery is charged.
--
John

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?

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?