Battery charger diagnostics

[mdolesh]

I need some help with the next step(s). My setup is as follows - 4 batteries (group 31 AMG, all new last year) 2 are in a house bank, and then 1 each for the port motor and the starboard motor. I have a 3-bank ProNautic 1240P charger which isnt showing any errors and seems to be working fine. However...I noticed while on shore power with my charger ON one set of gauges reads 12.6v and the other 13.5v. While underway at cruise, both read 14.3v. With the charger off both read 12.6v. Something isnt working and the port motor battery isnt being charged while on shore power. SO...I checked all the fuses I could find, including 2 small ones hidden in the charger, and they all seem fine. I put a meter on the various batteries with the charger on and the charger off. No change with the port battery. I even load tested all the batteries and they are all in good shape. Lastly, thinking maybe they arent hooked up correctly, which I think is unlikely, I called Sea Ray to ask for a wiring schematic and they said "the only documentation we have is posted online now, call a dealer." Any suggestions on what to do next?

 

[Coz]

The charger puts the same voltage to all banks so if your gauges are reading different then something is disconnected or problem with the charger. I would check connections on the cables from the charger to the port battery.

 

[Lazy Daze]

There is an excellent wiring diagram in your owner's manual. You can also download the manual on SR's site.

Switch the charger leads to see if the issue follows the charging lead that is thought to be not working.

Put a draw on the battery that isn't getting the charge for a short time with the charger off, then turn the charger back on and see if it starts charging. It's possible the charger the thinks the battery is fully charged so it was in standby mode. You could even start the engine and turn it off right away a couple times. That should draw it down just enough for the charger to sense it needs charging.

Failing those tests, it seems like that charging lead is dead. Disconnect it till you replace.

And/or... call ProNautic - they will possibly add another way to diagnose.

 

[ttmott]

swap the leads and see if the issue moves to the other battery. Easy to swap inside of the charger's cover.

 

[mdolesh]

Ok thanks guys. I didnt try that. I did call ProNautic and they said check fuses, which I did. I have read that their customer support is very good.

Thats a good point that it may be fully charged already and in standby...I never thought about that.