Batteri charging on 280 EC 2007

jandav

I have questions regarding the battery charger and the generator, how they work with the changing...

I run out of battery this weekend and I started the engine to charge, I can measure the voltage at the generator + pole to 13,6V (is that ok?) but when I measure the voltage at the battery bank I only get 12,3V.

At the harbour I plugged in the 110V and that seems to work, it changed at 13,2V

When I follow the + cabels it ended up in a connections box where I guess is some switch between generator/start battery / usage battery. How does that work?

Thanks for all input...

BR Jan   

YYZRC

Looks like the isolator. There is some inefficiency and that’s why you don’t see the full voltage going to the batteries. 

LaRea

The box is a battery isolator.  It acts like a 1-way valve.

The isolator uses diodes to control current.  It is normal to lose about 0.7 volts across the diode, but some people have reported losses of 1 volt or more.  

When the charger is on, the current does not pass through the isolator, so the batteries receive the full 13.6 volts.  When you run the engine, the alternator produces 13.6 volts.  However, it passes through the isolator, so the batteries receive a lower voltage.  

jandav

Now I have done some more investigations. 

The black box that have 3 conections have with the engine running 13,6V on the connection in the middle (connected to the generator on the engine...)
The other two have the same voltade as the start battery 12,8V and the usage battery bank 12,6V. 

Why do I loose almost 1V in this box????

jandav

jandav

Has anyone replaced this isolator with a isolating relay??
Pros / cons??

Cableguy Greg

I replaced mine with a ProMariner ProIsocharge isolator. I have had great results with it. 

YYZRC

I also upgraded to the ProIsoCharge. @LaRea started a great thread on this. Should be easy to search. 

LaRea

Here's the thread on the ProIsoCharge, with some good updates from @YYZRC.  As far as I know, the only disadvantage is that it costs more.  

https://rinkerboats.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/comment/141591

jandav

My problem is now solved regarding battery charging problems.
1. The weel (supporting the belt) sitting just below the generator had a bad bearing so it stoped rotating now and then... not so strange that the generator didnt delivered the right voltage.
2. I replaced the isolator with a Victron Argofet battery isolator
3. Added a 100w solar panel and a Victron Smartsolar MPPT regulator
My Rinker summer has been so much more fun with this update/upgrade!!

LaRea

I like it ... the Victron Argofet looks like a good zero-loss isolator.  Well done.