Fischer Panda 12 Mini DC Alternator for Starter Battery

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

Hi All,
I have noticed that on my new to me Hunter 50 the FP generator is NOT producing power from the small engine mounted DC alternator that is there to charge the starter battery. This is the small alternator that is belt driven, not the main large alternator.
When I first start the generator, and after I see the boat's battery charger showing voltage rise in the house batteries, I see no increase in the starter battery voltage until the battery combiner combines the starter battery to the house battery.
In reading the FP manual the instructions are to connect the FP to it's own dedicated battery. As Hunter has not provided a dedicated battery for the generator but has connected it to the engine start battery, I wonder if Hunter disconnected electrically the starter battery alternator on the FP?

 

[woodster]

hook the alt to a battery and see if it charges it

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

Woodster,
That has already been done. The alt is on the FP and the battery is the start battery. There is no charge.

 

[woodster]

put a separate battery on the little alt circuit and see if it will charge it not the start battery a third battery

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

There is no charge from the small alternator. My question is did Hunter do this on purpose or is my alternator defective?

 

[woodster]

my guess is to cut production cost if they did

 

[Rick486]

Hi All,
I have noticed that on my new to me Hunter 50 the FP generator is NOT producing power from the small engine mounted DC alternator that is there to charge the starter battery. This is the small alternator that is belt driven, not the main large alternator.
When I first start the generator, and after I see the boat's battery charger showing voltage rise in the house batteries, I see no increase in the starter battery voltage until the battery combiner combines the starter battery to the house battery.
In reading the FP manual the instructions are to connect the FP to it's own dedicated battery. As Hunter has not provided a dedicated battery for the generator but has connected it to the engine start battery, I wonder if Hunter disconnected electrically the starter battery alternator on the FP?

I have a Panda 6kw mini and the "dynamo", as they call it, mounted on the generator DOES NOT by design charge the start battery bank. When the generator is running it charges the house and start battery banks via the charger/inverter.

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

Rick,
If you consult the FP manual, the "dynamo" is for charging a dedicated generator start battery. As Hunter did not provide a dedicated generator start battery I am wondering if Hunter disabled it's electrical output. If the output of the "dynamo" were connected to the engine/generator start battery, and if the voltage rose to 13.7 the combiner would put the house batteries into the circuit which I theorize would overpower and destroy the small alternator. I know that my "dynamo" is not producing a charge voltage and I am trying to figure out if it was meant to be this way or it is damaged.

 

[Rick486]

Rick,
If you consult the FP manual, the "dynamo" is for charging a dedicated generator start battery. As Hunter did not provide a dedicated generator start battery I am wondering if Hunter disabled it's electrical output. If the output of the "dynamo" were connected to the engine/generator start battery, and if the voltage rose to 13.7 the combiner would put the house batteries into the circuit which I theorize would overpower and destroy the small alternator. I know that my "dynamo" is not producing a charge voltage and I am trying to figure out if it was meant to be this way or it is damaged.

I suggest you give Panda tech support a call and ask the question. Understand your point on the manual. I was told years ago by Panda that the dynamo provided only enough power to run the 12V electrical system on the genset. The dynamo has no apparent voltage regulator. Also wouldn't any charging voltage supplied to the outside start batt be measurable on the + 12V lead to the batt? If that lead shows only start batt voltage then that would seem to indicate that the dynamo isn't outputting on that lead?
I am a little unclear on why it matters since whenever I run my genset I have the charger/inverter powered and on the 110 line, which charges the start bank. I do not run my generator underway but I know many people do. If one does run the A/C lets say while the main engine is running, then I can see why the 110 side to the charger/inverter would be down and the 110 side to the A/C would be up, although then the main engine alternator would be charging the start batt bank. Having said all that I'm not sure why the dynamo would be needed to charge the start batt unless maybe the starter/inverter was broken? I admit, I'm a bit confused here. I have had my boat for 9 years now, a 44DS, and I have never messed with the barrel switches. Just leave 'em on.

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

Have spoken to FP. Was told "dynamo" is disconnected before shipment to Hunter. Something to keep in mind if the charger/inverter fails and a battery charge is needed!