Battery Charger Tripping Shore Power

markc

markc

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Any thoughts from the wisdom of the forum?

I have a 24v 80amp Dolphin charger on the boat. Yesterday I had the stern thruster batteries replaced (like for like optima) as one of them had ruptured - this has been on the to do list for a while as the ST worked fine and I kept forgetting to do it.

Today I noticed that the charger breaker was off so I tried to switch it back on and it did go on but the charger wasn't on. I then switched off the main charger fuse to reset and then flipped on the breaker. It threw out the shore power for my supply and also the whole quay!

I'm wondering if the stern thruster batteries and wiring have some part to play in this, especially considering the rupture in one of the cells? Or maybe it's just coincidence?

As a check to rule out the shore power as the problem point, I did run up the genny, removed all other load and tried the charger, but just tripped the breaker immediately.

Any ideas what to start checking?

TIA!
 
markc said:
Any thoughts from the wisdom of the forum?

I have a 24v 80amp Dolphin charger on the boat. Yesterday I had the stern thruster batteries ————

Any ideas what to start checking?

TIA!
Click to expand...

“ I had —— “
Sounds ominous !
Did you do the connecting up ?

As a diagnostic measure -disconnect them( the new stern T batts ) every lead not just what looks like a +ve then try the charger breaker and report back ps .
Take a pic or label before , if they resemble a bowl of spaghetti for reference .

A multimeter then check the alleged V of the leads while disconnected and the charger is on .
While disconnected ck the new bat poles to satisfy there polarity as well .
When you know which is which reconnect appropriately.

If it still trips then look @ the charger out settings for those particular new batts .Depending of the age ( you have not said ) some need fine tuning eg set to acid , AGM. Gel etc. Some have individual “ out “ settings for each bank , some have a one size fits all .
My Dophin 80ah ( 2015 modal year ) has irrc at least 3 outlets each fine tuneable but I doubt this is the issue ,it’s more a batt recharge longevity issue , the fine tuning .
How ever a tech may have mucked something up in the whole programming .
The Dolphin Factory is here in Pegomas - a stone through away form La Napoule btw .

Having established all the D.C. connects are correct and if applicable the charger is set up correctly , next look at the actual 220v in to the thing .
Be careful here - had the thing got wet ? Has a lead supplying it had a pull ?
Switch off the shore power ,pull the plug as well .If you have any doubt get a boat sparkie to ck the 220 v supply in .
 
Last edited:
Thanks chaps - I didn't change the batteries, that was done by the guardiange = hopefully they'll appear this morning to check their work.

J - yes, I was considering whether the rupture was caused by cooking, but this charger is fairly new, so I'm not sure if this triggered the charger replacement.

Will report back with new info
 
Batteries are simple to install and short of reversing the polarity I am not sure much you can do on the dc side will have any impact on the ac side of to make it trip the supply.

Charger still my prime suspect for the battery and the tripping of the supply.

Good luck
 
Long shot, I know.
But my boat came with a Dolphin 24V/100A charger as OEM installation, back in 2004, and I have it on good authority that a few units gave big problems with overvoltage - to the point of making some battery banks explode, no less!
Allegedly, that issue was immediately evident, and the units where this didn't happen proved to be reliable over time.
In fact, to be fair, the thing is still doing its job nicely after 14 years, in my boat - touch wood!
Otoh, if and when I will replace the thing, possibly with an inverter/charger, I'd rather install a Victron instead...
 
MapisM said:
Long shot, I know.
But my boat came with a Dolphin 24V/100A charger as OEM installation, back in 2004, and I have it on good authority that a few units gave big problems with overvoltage - to the point of making some battery banks explode, no less!
Allegedly, that issue was immediately evident, and the units where this didn't happen proved to be reliable over time.
In fact, to be fair, the thing is still doing its job nicely after 14 years, in my boat - touch wood!
Otoh, if and when I will replace the thing, possibly with an inverter/charger, I'd rather install a Victron instead...
Click to expand...

Well, the Dolphin charger has been pronounced dead! I'm going to replace with a Victron.. Just need to find on in SoF in August!
 
Mark,

Getting one and getting ti fitted will be an issue I guess. What about getting one from the UK sent FEDEX (other couriers are available) and then getting someone to fit it. That's what I am doing for my new propellers and not only am I saving hundreds on the props it is quicker than an all French route!
 
mcanderson said:
Mark,

Getting one and getting ti fitted will be an issue I guess. What about getting one from the UK sent FEDEX (other couriers are available) and then getting someone to fit it. That's what I am doing for my new propellers and not only am I saving hundreds on the props it is quicker than an all French route!
Click to expand...

Yep good point. Can't find any stock in the UK, trying to get one sent directly from Holland.
 
Lyvio marine in Antibes stocks Victron stuff , as well as AN other brand .
Dolphin factory is actually never you in Pegomas .
My sparkie that Sunseeker use 24/24 “ Depanarge “ carries Dolphins in the van so s never to leave a client in the lurch .

My Something or other brand picked up .He arrived within the hour fitted a loan Dolphin 100 A then returned at a mutual convenient time with a 80ah .
Old OEM was a 40 Ah , but he did some calcs and suggested the upgrade .
Straight €1000 job lot - by bank trans before you ask .

Call out
Immediate solution temp fitted
New one later

I never bothered to price up a Dolphin 80 as the fitting to me regarding 220 v stuff being done right is important., and tuning it in , setting it up etc .
He has a trade ac at the factory .

One of the aspects of SoF boating I think I have successfully cultivated is actually sourcing and using local reputable fixers .


At Mcanderson. - I can’t believe you can’t with a little leg work find a cheap as local fix for bushed props or a guy with a trade ac at “ Marine motors “ here in La Nap - the French VP importer - they have a counter for parts open to the public but if you mention so and so,s ac they apply 40% discounts on rrp .

Appreciate early August the Fr are on holiday
 
BartW said:
That is the right moment to upgrade to a decent charger/invertor, such as Victron Multiplus or Quattro ! Imo.
Click to expand...

I have ordered a 24v 80amp 3 channel Victron. I did consider an inverter but I'm really happy with our genny, plus the main 220v demand I have is aircon, hob, hot water and water maker none of which are that suited to an inverter
 
markc said:
I have ordered a 24v 80amp 3 channel Victron. I did consider an inverter but I'm really happy with our genny, plus the main 220v demand I have is aircon, hob, hot water and water maker none of which are that suited to an inverter
Click to expand...

Last winter we upgraded the 2x 5Kw quattto to 2x 8kw, mainly for the stabs, to run them at ALL sea conditions from batts/ alternator,
We have a routine to switch on the genny for the oven and the diswasher and occasionally for airco or watermaker,
the extra bonus is that i have now 2 x 150amp battery chargers !! ( i know we ’r rather the exception)
 
markc said:
Yep good point. Can't find any stock in the UK, trying to get one sent directly from Holland.
Click to expand...

If you need anything bringing out from UK, we are driving down week after next arriving Sat 25 Aug

Er that is in a car not a 44t artic!
 
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