Battery Charger Faults

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:



5,000 uf electrolytic capacitor. Dirt cheap. Screw terminals clearly marked + and -

Connect to battery with TWO alligator CLIPS and 18" of red and black wire. Think you can assemble this? And use it?

After clipping to the battery, connect the charger and turn it on.

The capacitor clip is going to spark when connected. This is normal and to be looked for.

To be safe, use a 25VDC rated capacitor.

I charge the batteries periodically to make sure they have a full charge once I get to the lake. The batteries generally don't need charging, but it brings me peace of mind.
I installed a perko off 1 all 2 switch and a second battery, so I'll try putting it in the off position and see if that changes anything.
Yes I could assemble the capacitor as diagrammed if necessary.
Yes I'm trying to do this with a smart charger so maybe that's why I have to disconnect. The off position on my battery switch should function same as disconnect, right?

A "smart" charger cannot detect the SOC of a battery that is under load.

So it faults.

Try a "dumb" charger.

What is the battery voltage before charging?

Apart from the fact that Fleetwood is correct, did you get the optional battery disconnect switch? If yes, turn the battery OFF and try again.

The engines electronic controls may well be sending something back to the battery that your charger mis-understands.

Matt

LaunchnRetrieve wrote:

Why does my battery charger show a fault message (won't charge the battery) when I try to charge my boat battery while it's hooked up. If I disconnect my battery it will charge just fine with the charger.

Shouldn't I be able to just connect the charger leads without disconnecting the battery?

Why do you have to charger the boat battery? Boat charging system would be the first place to look maybe.