HUNTER 380 HOUSE BATTERY CHARGE

[BIGUA]

I need some help to understand how the system work : alternator charge primarily motor battery then when this is full begin to charge house battery, what dispositif do this job and where it is in the boat ?
thanks for the support !!

 

[JamesG161]

you can download your Owners Manual here

https://sbo.sailboatowners.com/downloads/hunter_380_manual.pdf

this is from that manual

Jim...

 

[Windpilot]

I could be wrong about your boat but on my 410 there is only a solenoid that combines the batteries when energized by the start key. It is under my navigation table behind a panel. I highly doubt your start battery is charged 1st and then the house bank.
If the solenoid is faulty you can end up with only your start battery getting charged from the alternator. This was my experience.
Greg.

 

[BIGUA]

Thanks JamesG161 and Windpilot !!, I have the manual from new with the boat, the strange thing is the situation I described, every time from new the alternator charge first the start battery and second the house battery and that´s something that i can´t understand or even see in the circuit or in place, I thought that could be something hide doing this job.....
WindPilot, In the 380 model there are not a solenoid that combines both batteries.

 

[JamesG161]

alternator charge first the start battery and second the house battery

It just ONE and never BOTH

Once the Start Battery is charged, then the Alternator can Charge the House Battery.
_______

380 model there are not a solenoid that combines both batteries.

Depends on the solenoid working or not.

Mine failed years ago.

Jim...

 

[BIGUA]

James, where are located that solenoid ?
Thanks !!!

 

[JamesG161]

 

[BIGUA]

JamesG , thanks a lot !! I think i know where probably is that solenoid !! On the other hand, what a great electrical installation Hunter has done in that years !!
I will search to have one in hand as a spare part !

 

[JamesG161]

Check in your Engine compartment for a Blue Big Solonoid.

Jim…

 

[BIGUA]

Probably is under the panel but in the lower section , I think is grey
Thanks JamesG

 

[marcham]

The solenoid is in the compartment behind the battery switches. Disconnect the negative on all batteries then remove the 4 screws. On my 380, the solenoid to combine the house and start batteries was activated manually from a breaker, ot from the ignition switch.

That is pretty old tech... normally very reliable though.

Did your boat have a charger or inverter/charger from the factory? They have different wiring diagrams.

 

[JamesG161]

The solenoid is in the compartment behind the battery switches.

Mine also.

Jim...

 

[JamesG161]

Mine...

 

[BIGUA]

JamesG, mine is exactly like the picture ! that solenoid have 25 years and still great but.....I will buy one to keep a spare
Hope the solenoid have imprinted the values to buy an exactly another one
Thanks all for your support specially you James

 

[marcham]

If you have the isolator in series to the combiner, it's so that power flows only from the start battery to the house battery when the ignition is ON and the combiner is active.

 

[BIGUA]

Hi Marcham, mine is exactly like your description !
Thanks !

 

[marcham]

Great.
So if the house battery is not charging with the alternator, you need to check the voltage at the start battery, then at the combiner (relay) (both posts) and then at the output of the isolator to figure out the point of failure. If the failure is at the relay, you need to confirm it gets 12v when the ignition is ON or not.

 

[BIGUA]

Thanks alll ! next weekend will go and check, probably the relay is asking for a change

 

[BIGUA]

Hi, the relay don´t have any info on it, anyone knows how much amperes could be ? because in a serch on the web there are units from 65 Amp to 200 amp .
Thanks

 

[JamesG161]

relay don´t have any info on it, anyone knows how much amperes could be ?

I was told not to replace mine, too many failures.
Jim...