HRowland
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2011
- Messages
- 463
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C
- Non-Fluid Motion Model
- 2008 Nordic Tug 37
- Vessel Name
- Catnip
- MMSI Number
- 368024230
While doing work on our R27 over the past few weekends I connect the shore power inlet to a 110VAC outlet near the marina office. Our R27 is on blocks at the marina for the winter. To allow the 3 banks to independently charge I disconnected the ground lead on the Blue Sea ACRs to prevent them from connecting the banks together. I noticed that the engine battery was not getting charged and found the 30A charger fuse for the engine battery was blown. I replaced it and the engine battery started to charge normally.
I suspect the fuse blew in November while I was winterizing the systems. The tug was in the slip still connected to shore power when I started the engine to draw anti-freeze into the raw water system. The battery charger was probably still on, the sudden voltage drop on the engine battery during cranking must have caused the charger to momentarily provide well over 30A and blew the fuse.
During the winter I periodically topped the batteries by connecting the power, but I had left the ACRs active so the banks just tied together so the engine battery was getting charged.
Just a heads up for others that have the R27 with the seperate inverter and battery charger. The charger is a Pro Mariner ProNautic 12.20P (20A, 3 bank). Keep some spare 30A fuses on board!
On a seperate note I plan to install a relay with a 110VAC coil to automatically disconnect the ACR ground while the battery charger is powered. This will allow it to charge the 3 banks independantly which should slightly increase battery life. The ACRs defeat the 3 bank independent charging feature of the ProNautic by tying all together during charging. Disabling the ACRs will prevent a mild overcharging of the thruster and engine batteries when the house bank is low.
Howard
I suspect the fuse blew in November while I was winterizing the systems. The tug was in the slip still connected to shore power when I started the engine to draw anti-freeze into the raw water system. The battery charger was probably still on, the sudden voltage drop on the engine battery during cranking must have caused the charger to momentarily provide well over 30A and blew the fuse.
During the winter I periodically topped the batteries by connecting the power, but I had left the ACRs active so the banks just tied together so the engine battery was getting charged.
Just a heads up for others that have the R27 with the seperate inverter and battery charger. The charger is a Pro Mariner ProNautic 12.20P (20A, 3 bank). Keep some spare 30A fuses on board!
On a seperate note I plan to install a relay with a 110VAC coil to automatically disconnect the ACR ground while the battery charger is powered. This will allow it to charge the 3 banks independantly which should slightly increase battery life. The ACRs defeat the 3 bank independent charging feature of the ProNautic by tying all together during charging. Disabling the ACRs will prevent a mild overcharging of the thruster and engine batteries when the house bank is low.
Howard