No lights !

[joha]

For the last 7 months I have been using a haalfords fully automatic battery charger to charge a 110 ah service battery and an 85 ah starter battery with no probs then I fitted a 20 amp sterling pro charge c two weeks ago. All seemed fine until tonight when the lights got dimmer and dimmer. I checked the voltage across the terminals and got 12.25 volts! the sterling has gone from float to fast charge and the lights are still getting dimer and the navtex has turned itself off. So I am wondering whats suddenly draining my batteries!

Any ideas out there?

John

 

[VicS]

For the last 7 months I have been using a haalfords fully automatic battery charger to charge a 110 ah service battery and an 85 ah starter battery with no probs then I fitted a 20 amp sterling pro charge c two weeks ago. All seemed fine until tonight when the lights got dimmer and dimmer. I checked the voltage across the terminals and got 12.25 volts! the sterling has gone from float to fast charge and the lights are still getting dimer and the navtex has turned itself off. So I am wondering whats suddenly draining my batteries!

Any ideas out there?

John

Check for things switched on that you did not know about.

If something is taking the full output from the sterling charger its going to be getting a tad warm so check for things getting warm.

Check the installation of the charger. Check its outputs are what they should be .

Sytematically check all circuits for unexpected large current flow.

A clip on DC ammeter will be very useful if you can beg borrow or steal one.

Got the engine glowplugs switched on? Any other high power use items?

 

[joha]

Check for things switched on that you did not know about.

If something is taking the full output from the sterling charger its going to be getting a tad warm so check for things getting warm.

Check the installation of the charger. Check its outputs are what they should be .

Sytematically check all circuits for unexpected large current flow.

A clip on DC ammeter will be very useful if you can beg borrow or steal one.

Got the engine glowplugs switched on? Any other high power use items?

Hi VicS

The charger is cool to the touch

I have checked the installation and all appears ok

the only circuit on is the lights I have disconnected the water pump and the fridge is running off the mains only.

I have a digital multi meter and will connect it up in the morning.

Engine doesn't have glow plugs.

I think i will check the engine earth connections in yhe morning. I am pretty stumped as the only things that were running was the water pump, the lights, and the navtex and the water pump wasn't running contiuously.

J

 

[VicS]

Two possibilities not to be overlooked

The charger is not working

The battery has died

 

[joha]

Yeah did cross my mind so I have reconnected the old charger so we will see in the mnorning.
Both batteries were installed new in May, but I supose if the charger is faulty they maybe knackered but they are not hot so maybe a charger problem.
j

 

[lenseman]

Two possibilities not to be overlooked

The charger is not working

The battery has died

. . . . and another, is the Stirling charger actually charging the batteries or might there be a high resistance junction stopping the charge getting to the battery?

 

[joha]

Flat starter

Good morning. Well it apears that the starter battery is now knackered its reading 11 7 volts while the service battery is at13 12 volts. I normally have the battery switch set to both so I think the starter has been draining down the service battery. Now I wonder if I should just use the service battery for lthe domestics and not use the engine battery at all. the reason I use both is I live aboard so when cruising i use a seperate regime to preserve thge starter battery.

Thanks guys for you replies and advice

J