Running the engine while on 240v

[purplerobbie]

If I ran my engine while the 240v battery charger was on would it do any damage to the alternator or the battery charger?

 

[jfkal]

If I ran my engine while the 240v battery charger was on would it do any damage to the alternator or the battery charger?

I do this all the time. Sterling charger on, 140A alternator on Sterling alternator regulator also on. No ill effect.

 

[purplerobbie]

My balmar 150 amp alternator went pop. It's a short to earth through it now.

I suppose it couple of been on its way out before this. Are the expensive to fix?

 

[Bloater]

I wouldn't chance starting the engine when the charger is switched on as I blew a charger once doing this. The large current draw when the starter motor is engaged is an awful lot for a charger to cope with. Even if it survives a few times one day it will go pop. I can't see the problem with switching it back on though with the engine running, but why would you want to?

 

[reeac]

I wouldn't chance starting the engine when the charger is switched on as I blew a charger once doing this. The large current draw when the starter motor is engaged is an awful lot for a charger to cope with. Even if it survives a few times one day it will go pop. I can't see the problem with switching it back on though with the engine running, but why would you want to?

I agree - the battery voltage drops to something like 9 volts when the starter is operated and the charger wouldn't like that.

 

[Leighb]

I have often started the engine when connected to shorepower without any adverse effects AFAIK. The marine electrical engineer who installed the system certainly never gave any warning not to.

 

[ianj99]

I do this all the time. Sterling charger on, 140A alternator on Sterling alternator regulator also on. No ill effect.

I have the same setup and no probs.

I

 

[alahol2]

A friend has, so far, destroyed 3 chargers. He never learns.

 

[Frankie-H]

I have been starting my engine with the charger on for 16 years. Newmark charger, 500Ah battery bank on 24v, Perkins 4236 with 25 amp alternator.