Hot batteries & charger

[zefender]

A couple of weeks ago I noticed that the main battery bank (2 x 180ah domestics) was a bit warm and in need of water. I filled them and on leaving the boat, I disconnected the shorepower/charger. A couple of weeks later, we sailed to Falmouth and connected to shorepower. Within a day, I checked the batteries and again they were very warm and in need of water. I also checked the charger and it too was very warm. So, more water and off with the shore power.

I'm assuming my charger has gone on the blink or could there be another cause? How can I check? Once disconnected from the shorepower, the batteries cooled down. The batteries register about 13.7V with shorepower and maybe a bit less once they are disconnected.

 

[Gumpy]

What is the charger?
Is it a 3 stage one?

Julian

 

[zefender]

Re: Hot batteries & charger

Couldn't tell you! I'm not down on the boat at the mo. I'll check the make etc... Thanks for your reply though

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Hot batteries & charger

If they batteries are showing 13.7 when on charge, this should be OK. Batteries do need topping up, now and again and they do get warm when charging, how flat were they when this charging took place? Your batteries maybe stuffed, how old are they? Or your charger could be stuffed, in both cases it might be a good idea to get some proffesional help.

 

[zefender]

Re: Hot batteries & charger

The batteries are just 2 years old. They needed topping up again after just two weeks, so they've certainly 'boiled a bit! They weren't flat - I just connected the charger when at the marina for fridge/TV etc. I guess I'll need to have someone check them/the charger out. Meantme, the charger is just going on for a couple of hours daily. I'm back at work this week (leaving Mrs Zef on board) and going down this weekend to take the boat back to the Solent. I suppose I could disconnect the charger from the batteries and conect it to shorepower and then see if it gets hot.

 

[halcyon]

Re: Hot batteries & charger

Wher abouts is the boat ?

Brian

 

[zefender]

Re: Hot batteries & charger

pm sent