Upgraded battery charger...but...rookie mistake

Zim

Zim

Active Member
Jan 16, 2018
200
Boat Info
2012 Sea ray sundancer 310
Engines
Twin merc
Replaced the factory 3 bank/30 amp charger to a Xantrex 60 amp last year, and not thinking twice about the difference in amps, the 12v main Dc circuit panel, battery charger, bank 1 and bank 2 keeps tripping. Running optima blue top 31M marine batteries. Batteries where drained and guessing because the charger wants to dump 60 amps through the 30 amp breaker...it trips. If the house batteries do not go below 11v, the circuit is fine as i think it charges at around 20 amps or less.
My question is, does anyone know the part number for the breaker, (searay part# is 1412006, 30Amp). I would like to replace it with a 60amp breaker, and with that, guessing the wires as well? Thoughts? Thanks.
 
I can't see how it's ever going to be worth the work to replace your wires and breakers to stick with that charger (for sure don't pop bigger breakers in there without increasing the wire gauge ($$$'s) appropriately). Lesson learned, we all have these kinds of projects, but get out there and buy the proper charger and sell that 60Amp as "barely used" to someone with a 55' boat that actually needs it.

I mean more is usually better....but I think you've crossed over :)
 
Stee6043 said:
I can't see how it's ever going to be worth the work to replace your wires and breakers to stick with that charger (for sure don't pop bigger breakers in there without increasing the wire gauge ($$$'s) appropriately). Lesson learned, we all have these kinds of projects, but get out there and buy the proper charger and sell that 60Amp as "barely used" to someone with a 55' boat that actually needs it.

I mean more is usually better....but I think you've crossed over :)
Click to expand...
So, you don't know the part number # for breaker? And, thank you...i think?
 
Don't know what your configuration is or what type of circuit breaker you have or need. Regardless, you must look at these types of things at a system level. There are probably 50 different 60 amp circuit breakers that vary in size and trip ratings amongst a host of other technical variables. Would hate to see something more serious occur because of the wrong choice.
Blue Sea Systems have about any circuit breaker you could desire; here are several configurations -
https://www.bluesea.com/products/7547/C-Series_Flat_Rocker_Circuit_Breaker_-_Single_Pole_60A
https://www.bluesea.com/products/2143/Medium_Duty_Push_Button_Reset_Only_Circuit_Breaker_-_60A
https://www.bluesea.com/products/7040/187-Series_Circuit_Breaker_-_Panel_Mount_60A
https://www.bluesea.com/products/7246/C-Series_White_Toggle_Circuit_Breaker_-_Single_Pole_60_Amp
 
To use that charger, you will need to calculate both the wire size from the breaker to the charger and change it, plus from the charger to all the batteries. All of those most likely are undersized and a fire hazard to use.
 
I agree with Stee, I’d swap it before messing with wiring. Or, that xantrex is a pretty fancy piece of kit…does it let you choose max charge rate in settings?
 
Strecker25 said:
I agree with Stee, I’d swap it before messing with wiring. Or, that xantrex is a pretty fancy piece of kit…does it let you choose max charge rate in settings?
Click to expand...
That's the ticket brother.... you hit the nail on the head. Downloaded the manual to see my options again, and sure enough as you were posting this, i found the info. I can set the max output so, yes, problem solved. I have it configured to supply 30amps. Phew. Thanks for thinking outside the norm and posting. You, my friend, saved the day.
 
ttmott said:
Don't know what your configuration is or what type of circuit breaker you have or need. Regardless, you must look at these types of things at a system level. There are probably 50 different 60 amp circuit breakers that vary in size and trip ratings amongst a host of other technical variables. Would hate to see something more serious occur because of the wrong choice.
Blue Sea Systems have about any circuit breaker you could desire; here are several configurations -
https://www.bluesea.com/products/7547/C-Series_Flat_Rocker_Circuit_Breaker_-_Single_Pole_60A
https://www.bluesea.com/products/2143/Medium_Duty_Push_Button_Reset_Only_Circuit_Breaker_-_60A
https://www.bluesea.com/products/7040/187-Series_Circuit_Breaker_-_Panel_Mount_60A
https://www.bluesea.com/products/7246/C-Series_White_Toggle_Circuit_Breaker_-_Single_Pole_60_Amp
Click to expand...
I think as long as i don't exceed the 80v, replacing the 30 amp, (which is rated for 37.5 to trip,) with a 60amp i should be fine. Amazon has the carling technology breaker available, rated for 80v/60amps However, the charger, as i just found out, allows me to limit max amps, so after setting it for 30amps, all is well. I think we are good to go. Thanks for the info.
 
Zim said:
That's the ticket brother.... you hit the nail on the head. Downloaded the manual to see my options again, and sure enough as you were posting this, i found the info. I can set the max output so, yes, problem solved. I have it configured to supply 30amps. Phew. Thanks for thinking outside the norm and posting. You, my friend, saved the day.
Click to expand...

good deal! Easier than swapping and even at reduced rate that’s a sweet charger.
 
This is going to be a sweet test for the surveyor when this boat goes to sell. Super triple bonus points if he states on the survey that the charger is oversized for the wires!
 
Don’t get your panties all bunched up Debbie downer….it currently has 6awg wire, replacing the breaker to match the amps across 4 ft, will not be an issue, so sleep well tonight knowing the survey will be fine.
 
Check the Xantrex charger occasionally to ensure it’s working and don’t be surprised when it’s not. Xantrex quality has really gone downhill from where it was, and their chargers are no longer particularly reliable.

Most folks with my brand of boat have had to replaced their Xantrex chargers after failure. They cannot be repaired either. My builder has stopped using Xantrex because of their quality issues, moving to ProMariner.
 
b_arrington said:
Check the Xantrex charger occasionally to ensure it’s working and don’t be surprised when it’s not. Xantrex quality has really gone downhill from where it was, and their chargers are no longer particularly reliable.

Most folks with my brand of boat have had to replaced their Xantrex chargers after failure. They cannot be repaired either. My builder has stopped using Xantrex because of their quality issues, moving to ProMariner.
Click to expand...

that’s a bummer, I have a promariner and love it but I always had the xantrex stuff pegged as a step up
 
Zim said:
Don’t get your panties all bunched up Debbie downer….it currently has 6awg wire, replacing the breaker to match the amps across 4 ft, will not be an issue, so sleep well tonight knowing the survey will be fine.
Click to expand...

4 gauge is required for 60amps, but hey pretty much the same thing as 6 :) At least leave the fricken existing breakers in place if you can set the charger to a lower output. Those are the only things keeping your wires from going up in smoke.

You're clearly not going to change course but it was worth a shot. I watched 4 boats burn at my marina a few years back due to some unusual wiring/electrical issues. But heck, you can't same 'em all, Zim.
 
Strecker25 said:
that’s a bummer, I have a promariner and love it but I always had the xantrex stuff pegged as a step up
Click to expand...
Sadly, not any more. Back Cove owners had a ton of failures. They’ve switched to ProMariner for new builds. I personally had an Xantrex go out that was less than 2 years old.
 
b_arrington said:
Sadly, not any more. Back Cove owners had a ton of failures. They’ve switched to ProMariner for new builds. I personally had an Xantrex go out that was less than 2 years old.
Click to expand...
I've had miserable luck with Xantrex also; went through two inverters, on the third when I sold the boat.
I've moved to Victron equipment.
 
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