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Galapagos: 12 Volt Power Problem Solved
Here are 3 tips that could help you with onboard charging problems.
Always have at least a beginners electrical knowledge and tool kit before trying any electrical repairs. This fuel pump on my Fischer-Panda generator was faulty. I changed it out with a new one from my spare parts kit but I forgot some basic electrical rules. When you cut two wires next to each other, it might be a good idea to stagger the cuts so that the metal parts are not touching. Then wrap them each separately in electrician tape. You could then wrap both together later or put them in a protective sleeve.
I had no charging power from either my Fischer-Panda generator nor my Balmar alternator on the Yanmar engine. I would not have been able to start either the generator nor the engine without a fully charged 12 v battery. I have a second start battery I use for the underwater breathing compressor. I also carry a small Honda generator as a charging backup. I also use it when I go into a small village and invite the kids to watch a Disney or Pixar movie on the rollup screen from my video projector. I power the speakers and projector with the Honda and give out candy. I'm the hit of their week.
The thin white wire broke. I don't know it's function but I thought it needed to be put back where it belonged. The generator has been working great since I changed out the faulty fuel pump for the new one in my spare parts box and then corrected my mistake of not isolating the 12 v power wire from the ground wire which caused the 10 amp fuse to blow.
posted by Wanderlust @ 5/12/2007 12:06:00 PM
4 Comments
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4 Comments:
Mike,
From what I am understanding you may be on the right track with the
fuel pump. I show that your unit was supplied with fuel pump 40106. We now use fuel pump number 40185. This pump has a higher lift capacity. I suspect that this is the pump you purchased and it is most likely what you need. Please let me know the number of the pump you are installing (it is stamped
on the foot next to the holes that screw down the pump, they are very
small).
Thank you and if you need further assistance please contact me at
support@fischerpanda.com
Sincerely,
James C. Gagnon
Service Manager
800-508-6494
Eddie,
Yesterday the electro/mechanic came aboard to install one of the new replacement Balmars. I ended up paying $186 to Customs and $35 for the speed boat ride over here. I paid the mechanic $200. He wanted more but I opened up my wallet and showed him that was all I had left. He took some tools I had extra in place of more money.
I left at sunset but only got about 5 miles out when I checked if the alternator was charging the start battery. It was NOT!
I came back to the anchorage and this morning got Jorge to come back out with his electric measuring instruments. He showed me how the alternator was providing 14 volts at it's end and that the red and black wires going to a junction was also showing 12.6 volts. He said the regulator was providing enough power to the red and black leads.
The 12 VDC panel under 'battery volts' does not show any more voltage that the start battery has, 12.6 volts. With the engine running and even reved up to 1600 rpm, she shows exactly the same voltage 12.6.
I feel that the alternator is NOT charging the start battery nor the house bank.
Yesterday I checked all breakers and found one tripped 'open'. On the main battery switch there is a breaker labeled "Parallel Charging Circuit". When the generator is running, a red light is on. With the breaker tripped open, only the house battery was getting a charge. When I pushed the breaker back 'closed', after a while the 'start' battery was also showing a charge of 13.4 volts.
I do NOT know if this has anything to do with the Balmar alternator supplying power to the start battery but the red light does NOT light when the F-P is not running but the Yanmar is.
I have about 3-4 weeks of sailing to the Marquesas. It is over 3000 miles non-stop with nothing in between. I would like to have a confident feeling that when running the Yanmar, the alternator is supplying power. It is NOT.
Can you ask someone to help me figure this out? Is there a switch or breaker I am not seeing?
I can at least run the F-P an hour each day to recharge the start battery while charging the house batteries and making water.
Thanks again Eddie.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 1:35 PM
To: Eddie Breeden
Subject: RE: Balmar Alternator
The alternator outputs to the house battery bank and then uses the parallel system to charge the start battery. The parallel system is automatic once the house bank reaches 13.5 volts for about 5 minutes it will engage and charge the start battery. The red LED next to the parallel reset breaker indicates that is engaged. Also the reset should be in the on position at all times it is there as an overload protection between the two systems there's no practical reason for it to be in the off position.
To: Eddie Breeden
Subject: RE: Balmar alternator on the Yanmar.
When running the generator and using the inverter/charger to charge the batteries the charge output is rated at 135 amps. The alternator on the engine is rated at 100 amps. The voltage reading on the panel when running the alternator will take a notable longer time before the readings will show any progress on the batteries especially with the
four 8D batteries installed onboard.
Eddie,
That is great information. I did not know that. I think everything will be OK now.
Thanks.
Again you help me build my confidence. It's not easy out here!
Mike
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