This is in dock, engines off, shore power connected.
For months it would charge for 2-3 minutes, as witnessed by a fairly loud humm, and pump 2-30A into the system as witnessed by the gauge. Then it would stop and the amber light would illuminate. Turning on 32V users, like the engine room lights would increase frequencey.
Now it's cycling more rapidly for shorter periods. (10-15 secodns) and the light only flashes when it stops charging, then it goes out.
Hmmmmmmm.
While I would like to think these old units were built like tanks to last forever I am also not 100% sure that they are as sophisticated as todays units. To wit, there is a lot of wet gassing at the batteries resulting in wet battery tops. I think the bursts of 40A may not be the best thing, and a more continuous lower amperage would be better.
What is the replacement of choice, if any?
Thank you for your thoughts as always.
(On edit, I don't have the model number and am looking for a picture. It's the 1x1x2 foot box with ammeter, amber light and two switches on the front)
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01-31-2021 03:41 PM #1
32V charger behavioral changes......
Last edited by oscarvan; 01-31-2021 at 03:44 PM.
1978 53' Motor Yacht "LADY KAY V"
Hull number 524
Chesapeake Bay
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01-31-2021 03:51 PM #2
Re: 32V charger behavioral changes......
Sentry services their units. I've sent customers units in for refurbished and repair more than once.
Also check the batteries. They may be the cause.
You can't diagnose the problem without a full list of symptoms.Scott
41C117 "Hattatude"
Port Canaveral Florida.
Marine Electronics and Electrical Products Distributor.
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Re: 32V charger behavioral changes......
I’ll be replacing my LeMarch charger this season. There’s not a lot of choices, analytical systems and Sterling are my two comps. Sterling is under $600 analytical is over $1k last time I checked.
I replaced 6 out of 8 of my batteries last year with the final 2 coming this season, there was a two month lag time due to the China flu and a odd high demand for 8V.ENUFF. 1983 53MY.Hull #617 Barnegat Light Nj.
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01-31-2021 04:03 PM #4
Re: 32V charger behavioral changes......
how old are your batteries? they may have the charger doing things that are not normal
Mis b' havin
1972 58 yachtfish
58yf352
pass christian, ms.
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01-31-2021 04:15 PM #5
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Re: 32V charger behavioral changes......
Analytic makes a great charger. I have had mine since 2004. The equalize function really extends the life of your batteries.
Sky Cheney
1985 53EDMY, Hull #CN759, "Rebecca"
ELYC on White Lake--Montague, MI
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Re: 32V charger behavioral changes......
Oscar this is my experience from spring 2020. I have the Sentry charger, original 1973. Because I left a light on and went home which depleted my starboard bank. When I put my charger on it would charge for a few minutes then stop. One of the switches on the front of mine is a circuit breaker for the charging voltage and it would trip from the overload. My cure was to bring a portable charger and slowly bring up the voltage to a point where the sentry could take over.
Walt Hoover
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02-01-2021 10:29 AM #9Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jun 2012
- Posts
- 520
Re: 32V charger behavioral changes......
Every time I have a short cycling charger , there’s a weak battery. With 8 volt batteries you can usually check each cell with a multimeter . I would think that you will find one bad cell . Also after running the boat , with a hot engine room , the charger stays charging for much too long if a battery is going bad. Obviously my batteries are in the engine rooms .
JMooney
61 MY 1983 #341
“Jerrie”
Miami , FL
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02-08-2021 09:01 AM #10Senior Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
- Posts
- 224
Re: 32V charger behavioral changes......
Same experience as JMooney over multiple chargers over multiple boats.
John McCarley
Water Colors - 63 MY
Wrightsville Beach NC