I believe my battery charger is bad- getting a new one installed today- have a inverter connected to system which gives power to all outlets, microwave etc. Now the inverter light guage does not work- seems that all the functions an iverter would handle- microwave etc- are all good to go- but what about that guage? a fuse possibly? boat is a hunter 326 all systems were installed by qualified boat yard mechanics- leaving tomorrow for a 3 day ofsfshore trip to the Chesapeake and have a captain on board- just want to make sure everything is good to go.
battery charger Bad inverter guage does not show battery level although outlets
- Thread starter jco789
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check voltages
are these mutually exclusive, i.e., separate units? From your description, it seems all you need to do is verify the proper output from the charger - should read 13+ volts when charging and 115VAC from the inverter with a multimeter. What's a "light guage"? If you mean an idiot light, it's also pretty simple to check it to verify continuity and just relace the bulb if necessary.
are these mutually exclusive, i.e., separate units? From your description, it seems all you need to do is verify the proper output from the charger - should read 13+ volts when charging and 115VAC from the inverter with a multimeter. What's a "light guage"? If you mean an idiot light, it's also pretty simple to check it to verify continuity and just relace the bulb if necessary.
- is there a fuse in the line to the idiot guage for the inverter?
i am having a marine electrical "expert" install the battery charger today- I was concerned that the inverter is somehoiw not working correctly because the idiot light siddenly stop reading. is there a fuse in the line for this? just seems to be too much of a coincidence for the both items to not work at the same time.
i am having a marine electrical "expert" install the battery charger today- I was concerned that the inverter is somehoiw not working correctly because the idiot light siddenly stop reading. is there a fuse in the line for this? just seems to be too much of a coincidence for the both items to not work at the same time.
Lights
Had a charger which had about three different lights that would tell what three stages the charger was in. The inverter gets power from the batteries and if the charger is not charging the batteries maybe the idiot light telling you low power to charger,read the manual and see what is going on. Nick
Had a charger which had about three different lights that would tell what three stages the charger was in. The inverter gets power from the batteries and if the charger is not charging the batteries maybe the idiot light telling you low power to charger,read the manual and see what is going on. Nick
be careful of "experts"
have the installer also check the inverter output. As you indicated it is apparently producing 115VAC okay, the only problem sounds like the light bulb isn't working which is easy to check if you have a multimeter - much cheaper than an "expert" and often more reliable. The only fuse I am aware of on your inverter is on the output and unrelated to the idiot light
have the installer also check the inverter output. As you indicated it is apparently producing 115VAC okay, the only problem sounds like the light bulb isn't working which is easy to check if you have a multimeter - much cheaper than an "expert" and often more reliable. The only fuse I am aware of on your inverter is on the output and unrelated to the idiot light
You might also want to read the instruction manuals
for the inverter and charger. And, VERY IMPORTANT, since they are separate units, you should have two important things on your boat: 1. A switch to avoid having shorepower AND the inverter as A.C. sources at the same time 2. Some VERY BIG SIGNS that say: "!!!!!Turn off charger when inverter is ON!!!!!" PS It could very well be that your inverter was trying to charge your batteries!!! - wrong...)
for the inverter and charger. And, VERY IMPORTANT, since they are separate units, you should have two important things on your boat: 1. A switch to avoid having shorepower AND the inverter as A.C. sources at the same time 2. Some VERY BIG SIGNS that say: "!!!!!Turn off charger when inverter is ON!!!!!" PS It could very well be that your inverter was trying to charge your batteries!!! - wrong...)
A Marine Expert???
To install a battery charger. At the risk of sounding obnoxious, this is something you should do yourself. There is no expertise required to install a battery charger. 110V going to it, which is already there with the old one, and the charger 12v going to the batteries. As to the bulb, I think you are referring to the one that indicates it is putting out 110v. It is possible this is a result of low battery voltage, but that is a guess. My Xantrex inverter has a little bar graph that shows how many amps it is drawing from the battery, and the out put voltage. Plus a little idiot light that indicates it is turned on. Again, I don't want to sound obnoxious, but you need to learn to do things like this yourself. There will be times when a "Marine Expert" is not available. Get a decent digital volt/ohm meter, and learn how to use it. Practice reading voltages and tracing circuits. The absolute worst that can happen if you will be out a few bucks for the meter. At best, you may get yourself out of a situation, where no help is available. I hope I don't offend, and certainly have not intended to do so, but if you are going to cruise on a sailboat, you need to learn the basics of electrical and mechanical repair.
To install a battery charger. At the risk of sounding obnoxious, this is something you should do yourself. There is no expertise required to install a battery charger. 110V going to it, which is already there with the old one, and the charger 12v going to the batteries. As to the bulb, I think you are referring to the one that indicates it is putting out 110v. It is possible this is a result of low battery voltage, but that is a guess. My Xantrex inverter has a little bar graph that shows how many amps it is drawing from the battery, and the out put voltage. Plus a little idiot light that indicates it is turned on. Again, I don't want to sound obnoxious, but you need to learn to do things like this yourself. There will be times when a "Marine Expert" is not available. Get a decent digital volt/ohm meter, and learn how to use it. Practice reading voltages and tracing circuits. The absolute worst that can happen if you will be out a few bucks for the meter. At best, you may get yourself out of a situation, where no help is available. I hope I don't offend, and certainly have not intended to do so, but if you are going to cruise on a sailboat, you need to learn the basics of electrical and mechanical repair.
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