Just installed a Link 10 battery monitor on my C 350. It appears that I wired it correctly since I can turn on an appliance and watch as the Link 10 shows me the negative amp flow (-6 amps for the refrig, -.8 for lights, etc). Also, when I am plugged into shore power, I can see the positive amp flow, ususally 8 amps or so. The perplexing thing is that I dont see positive amp flow when the motor is running, despite the fact that the voltmeter at the nav station (orig equip with the boat) shows in the "charging" range. Furthermore, when I switch the Link 10 to the Volts reading, it shows--when the motor is running---a much higher number than when the battery is "at rest" (14+ versus 12.7 or so "at rest.") Anybody have any thoughts on this? I plan to call Xantrex (makers of the Link 10) but they only provide 15 free minutes of consultation so I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I call. And, yes, I have Nigel Calder's book and will review it for help with this. Thanks for the help. Bill Welsch s/v "Escapade"
- Status
Link 10 Installation
Bill The reason the voltage shows 14+ when you're running your engine is because it is charging the batteries, which need mroe voltage than 12-something to get charged. This is basic stuff covered in Nigel's book. You shorepower charger should also be putting out over 14 volts in bulk phase. Hope you don't have a Charles charger. See the related link below. As to amp flow when running the engine, have you personally traced the alternator wiring? If your batteries are charged because you stayed plugged into shorepower, the alternator wouldn't need to output any power becuse the batteries are full. Have you run down the batteries a little bit so thy need a charge for sure? Don't know if you have a smart regulator on your alternator. Stu
Bill The reason the voltage shows 14+ when you're running your engine is because it is charging the batteries, which need mroe voltage than 12-something to get charged. This is basic stuff covered in Nigel's book. You shorepower charger should also be putting out over 14 volts in bulk phase. Hope you don't have a Charles charger. See the related link below. As to amp flow when running the engine, have you personally traced the alternator wiring? If your batteries are charged because you stayed plugged into shorepower, the alternator wouldn't need to output any power becuse the batteries are full. Have you run down the batteries a little bit so thy need a charge for sure? Don't know if you have a smart regulator on your alternator. Stu
Wrong side of Shunt (Long)
Bill, you did not mention whether you have a separate starting battery to start your engine. I am guessing that you are using just one bank since you installed the Link 10 and you see increased voltage when the engine is running. The fact that the voltage increases when the engine is running means that charge current from the alternator is indeed charging the batteries but is not being measured by the Link. The reason you are not seeing charge current from the engine's alternator when it is running is probably due to having the engine start circuit on the wrong side of the Link's shunt. The shunt is installed between the negative side of the battery bank and the boat's ground point. The battery side of the shunt is called the battery side and the other side of the shunt is called the load side. To be measured, every ground wire from every piece of equipment must be connected to the load side of the shunt. Only the battery negative should be connected to the battery side of the shunt. The ground from the engine's start circuit probably is routed directly to the negative side of the battery bank, bypassing the shunt and voila, no measurement even though the alternator is providing charge current. Typically, the alternator output is routed from the alternator to the positive battery connection on the starter. That means that when the engine is started all the current used by the starter moter must run through the shunt. The Link 10's shunt is rated at 500 Amps. I don't know how much current the C-350's starter draws but one would not want to exceed the 500 amp rating of the shunt (the starter probably won't). Check with the engine manufacturer for starter current ratings. So, bottom line, move the engine start circuit ground to the load side of the shunt and you will see charge current. If the starter pulls more than 500 amps, the ground from the alternator will have to be isolated and run tho the load side of the shunt. Unfortunately, that would require a new customized alternator. Clear as mud? Rodney C-42 #567, Sashay
Bill, you did not mention whether you have a separate starting battery to start your engine. I am guessing that you are using just one bank since you installed the Link 10 and you see increased voltage when the engine is running. The fact that the voltage increases when the engine is running means that charge current from the alternator is indeed charging the batteries but is not being measured by the Link. The reason you are not seeing charge current from the engine's alternator when it is running is probably due to having the engine start circuit on the wrong side of the Link's shunt. The shunt is installed between the negative side of the battery bank and the boat's ground point. The battery side of the shunt is called the battery side and the other side of the shunt is called the load side. To be measured, every ground wire from every piece of equipment must be connected to the load side of the shunt. Only the battery negative should be connected to the battery side of the shunt. The ground from the engine's start circuit probably is routed directly to the negative side of the battery bank, bypassing the shunt and voila, no measurement even though the alternator is providing charge current. Typically, the alternator output is routed from the alternator to the positive battery connection on the starter. That means that when the engine is started all the current used by the starter moter must run through the shunt. The Link 10's shunt is rated at 500 Amps. I don't know how much current the C-350's starter draws but one would not want to exceed the 500 amp rating of the shunt (the starter probably won't). Check with the engine manufacturer for starter current ratings. So, bottom line, move the engine start circuit ground to the load side of the shunt and you will see charge current. If the starter pulls more than 500 amps, the ground from the alternator will have to be isolated and run tho the load side of the shunt. Unfortunately, that would require a new customized alternator. Clear as mud? Rodney C-42 #567, Sashay
Thanks, it worked!
Rodney and Stu Thanks for the great input! I rewired the Link 10 on my C 350 to have all of the negative wires from the start and (2) house batteries go to the shunt. It worked! I started the engine and immediately saw 35-40 amps positive. Very cool. Turned off the motor and switched on various lights, etc, to see how much current they draw. Great device. Only downside was trying to manhandle so many big wires to get them on the load side of the shunt. I plan to redo the wiring using a post which I can get a West Marine and will run two of the terminals to the post and then pigtail on to the shunt. Should make for a neater attachment. But all in all, I am thrilled and really appreciate the help you provided. Bill Welsch s/v "Escapade" Punta Gorda, FL
Rodney and Stu Thanks for the great input! I rewired the Link 10 on my C 350 to have all of the negative wires from the start and (2) house batteries go to the shunt. It worked! I started the engine and immediately saw 35-40 amps positive. Very cool. Turned off the motor and switched on various lights, etc, to see how much current they draw. Great device. Only downside was trying to manhandle so many big wires to get them on the load side of the shunt. I plan to redo the wiring using a post which I can get a West Marine and will run two of the terminals to the post and then pigtail on to the shunt. Should make for a neater attachment. But all in all, I am thrilled and really appreciate the help you provided. Bill Welsch s/v "Escapade" Punta Gorda, FL
- Status