generator and strange phenomenon.

[alex]

Hi rinker boat owners,

I have the following 2 issues in which please assist, since it are really headache.

1)
The 270 F.V built 2002, which I have recently purchased, is equipped with a kohler generator 5kw.


Having turned the key in the first scale with the  generator in operation and the battery charge switch to “on” position, the volt indicator in the main panel of the cockpit  is NOT indicating  12 volts, which is the figure I see  when the main engine is running.

How can I check that the generator is actually charging the batteries?
Is there any other component I have to check or any other switches for the batteries to be charged via the generator?
What could be the damage if any?
I am sure that the generator is supplying electricity, since the Air condition and microwave are working properly.

2)
I am facing a recent problem with the galley pump, since the relevant circuit must have a malfunction, causing a drop of the batteries power, since every time I use the galley pump the television is loosing the picture (becomes black) having only sound. When I am using the main engine for about 20 minutes(the batteries are charged), the t.v is normal again. I suppose therefore that the  galley pump is causing the drain of the batteries, which on the other hand CAN support lights, blower, radio/cd, engine start etc without any hesitation. Any suggestions for this STRANGE issue? Is my conclusion for the galley pump and t.v right? Is the t.v consuming too much power?
Could it be something else?

Both issues are connected, since in order to avoid the operation of the main engine for charging the batteries, generator may do the job.

Thanks for any replies.

Rgds
Alex

[Capt Ron]

Alex, check to see if your battery charger is working properly. Sounds as if it isn't working. Pumps tend to draw considerable current when used, if your batteries are just about dead, that will cause other appliances to act up. When you turn on the battery charger when the genny is running the volt meter should go above 12volts to 13.5 volts. If it isn't, the charger isn't working and all your problems are related to this one issue. There aren't any other switches to use other than the two breakers on the battery switch and the battery switches itself.
Cheers,
Ron

[alex]

Hi Ron,

thanks a lot for your reply.

It is really strange to have dead batteries, since I have replaced them by new ones this summer.

You mentioned that the  volt meter should show 13.5volts while charging by the gen.The same applies if the batteries are charged by the main engine? what the voltage should be  then?

Do you think I may have an electrical circuit problem here, causing the drain of the batteries?

Can you please give me the location of the two breakers on the battery switch and the battery switches itself.

I can only locate the ‘battery charger’ switch on the main control panel of the generator inside the cabin.

Thanks

Alex

[Capt Ron]

Hi Alex,
A fully charged battery will read 13.5 on the volt meter with no drain. Once something is operated, a pump or other device the voltage will drop to 12v or a bit higher. If your batteries are sitting at something below 12volts, they are almost dead. You are right that the volt meter will read 13.5 v when the engines are running or when the battery charger is working. The battery switch is usually located near the entrance of the boat from the swim platform. It will be behind a small door and you will have one of two types. One that will have 1 or 2 or both switch postions or two switches with on or off and two breakers between them. One is for the cockpit 12v and the other is for cabin 12v. I think your boat will be the one with 1, 2 or both type of switch. I don't think this is your problem. It really looks like your battery charger is malfunctioning. Check the breakers around your dash to make sure it didn't just trip a push type breaker. Let us know what you find out.
Cheers,
Ron

[alex]

Hi Ron,

Thanks a lot for your useful guidance.

I shall check and revert.

Alex

[TiniTime]

To check your battery charger, disconnect it from the batteries on the 12v side, otherwise when you check it you will be getting a reading from the batteries and not just the charger. After disconnecting the batteries, put on the charger and check the 12v side with a multimeter.  To check your batteries, see if you can get hold of a battery load tester.  Most auto supply will have this and this will test your batteries as if a load is being drawn on them.  Sometimes batteries maintain 13.5v with little or no load, but when something like a galley pump is on and the batteries are bad, they can't support the load.

[wet]

Alex I coud be wrong but I don't think anyone mentioned the white breaker switch on the top right side of the gen.Always gets knocked to off pos. when working in the engine compartment.When my gen is not charging ,thats the first place I look.    Rob

[alex]

Thanks for yr reply wet.

i will check that before proceeding to anything else.

Alex

[merwin10]

Hi Alex -

Ok sounds like you have something odd going on! Try this when you are hook to shore power and the charger is running you should see 13.5 volts indicating the charger is doing its thing! If not you need to find out what is wrong! Now once you have verified that the charger does indeed work on shore power we can move on! One thing here many chargers have sense circuits and if the voltage of the battery is close to zero volts the charger will not do its thing! What is need is the temporary boost from another battery! In boats that is fairly easy just switch the battery switch to both and you have effectively put two batteries in parallel. The charger will sense a voltage and start charging after a few minutes you can disconnect the battery and the charger will continue charging the zero battery!

Now since we have verified that the charger indeed works off of shore power now lets check the generator. Un plug the shore power cord and start the generator! Throw the switch from shore power to generator! The charger should read 13.5 volts as before when it was on shore power! If not you need to check that you indeed have AC power find another 120V outlet and plug anything in, does it come on, NO find the main generator circuit breaker of fuse! YES we now need to check to see if the charger is getting 120volts you will need a meter to do this WARNING electrical shock is proable! Check the AC side of the charger with the meter YES 120volts OK - NO check the charger circuit breaker. If YES the battery may be below the sense circuit cut off point and you need to boost the battery to start the charger, as described above!

If none of this works we need to look elsewhere!

Hope this helps!

Mike -