Battery Charger Went South...

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 8:41 am Post subject: Battery Charger Went South...

Of course, we are in the Keys, so all of the boat is south. We have been fussing with low batteries for the past 48 hours, and I have figured out that it is the Guest 2621 battery charger not working. I've isolated all three batteries and they seem to be fine. We are getting by (NOISILY) with the Honda generator and a 12v cord that I picked up on yesterday's Cruisers Net.

So, the Guest manual says this, if not functioning:
1. No AC power available at the charger
2. Charger failure

Duh?

Is there any user-servicable stuff inside that Guest? We are hanging on the hook for the next few days, and I am not excited about plunking down $300-$400 on another charger (plus the hassle of finding one). Guest does warranty this unit for two years, but you get to send it to them for repair or replacement. Guess I could always buy another automotive charger and limp by.

What's that definition of cruising... "fixing your boat in exotic new places". Rolling Eyes

Any ideas from the C-Brat brain trust? As always, your input is appreciated.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Byrdman · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 8:52 am Post subject:

Hey Jim! You more than likely have an automotive charger... go ahead and pull the boat charger, contact guest and let them know where you are and you are traveling, and who knows what they might do....outside of their "normal" warrantee stuff??? Might even work out a swap out at a shop there that serves shrimp, oysters, and battery chargers, and has the underside of their porch roof painted sky blue as to assist in keeping the insects out... Beer

A call to the factory could not hurt...and the worse news they can give you is "send it in and we will look at it...", and of course just like an Armstrong floor that went bad in a previous house of mine.... my comment to Mr. Armstron on the phone was..... Now Mr. Armstrong... I have bought your product with my money and now your product is letting me down and is broke....help me with exactly why I should put more good money on bad money and buy your stuff again if you are not going to work with me here...?""

No more Armstrong products in my bird nest.

How is the water temp down there now? Some great snorkling waters for sure.

Byrdman

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:02 am Post subject:

Yes, Byrdman, I do have an automotive battery charger. It's sitting in my house in Texas. We were pretty maxed out with space, so it did not come along. Crying or Very sad

Shucks, with the onboard charger and the Honda generator, I felt like we were backed-up. I may have to pull up the anchor, leave the dinghy to hold our space and go run this boat, using the alternator to bring the batteries up. OMG, the alternator doesn't run through this damn charger, does it??? Crook

Best wishes,
Jim B.

jennykatz · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:17 am Post subject: charger

We bought chargers from Wallyworld they call them smartchargers from b/d for about $20 Ask Mike (Papion) they work Great .Also you could call up Guest on monday and maybe do a trade at West marine in Marathon Good Luck JIm on Duck

Hopefully we can meet up with you guys in the keys somtime in mar.

Wefings · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:18 am Post subject:

Jim, if you "high idle" your motor , you should be able to get a decent charge rate from the alternator. If you push the center of the place where the throttle handle pivots in and advance the throttle [bypassing the shifting mechanisim] and run it around 2000-2500 rpm you should get good output . Lots more than the 7 amps the Gen puts out .
Marc

Papillon · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 10:28 am Post subject:

West Marine
2055 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, FL 33050
(305) 289-1009

"A" is the location...Good Luck...Call George for a ride.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 3:01 pm Post subject:

Hi y'all,

Thanks for the suggestions, all good. West Marine sells 'em, but tells me that you have to go back to the mfg for warrany work.

Mark from Wefings: we did charge using the motor for a while.

We have the situation temporarily solved. Brent and I hoofed it to K-Mart where I was able to find an automotive charger (that'll make 3 of those we have now Rolling Eyes

). Just got back, fired up the generator, turned off the eco-throttle, and we are now showing 13.1 volts! I figure with the automotive charger AND the Honda 12v adaptor, I am putting about 18 amps into that battery bank. At this rate, it will still take hours to get a full charge, but it's heading the right direction. The Blonde is happy, so all is good with the world.

It will probably be another 10 days or so before we make our way to Key West (50 miles from Boot Key Harbor); places we want to stop along the way. Looks like we have some weather coming in tonight/tomorrow that will last for a few days, so we'll just stay tight at anchor.

We're heading out tonight to see one of our favorite performers, Eric Stone, live at Berdines. The 4 of us have reservations for another place tomorrow for the Super Bowl... including a water taxi for both trips... some of you know how Dixie gets when she's had half a beer! Mr. Green

(That's one of the nice things about having an internet connection when the boat you're traveling with doesn't: we get to be the first liar. Wink

)

Best wishes,
Jim B.

TyBoo · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject:

For some reason I am feeling all mushy today, and I was going to send you guys a PM but decided to post my brief message here for all the world to see. At least it will soon be buried in the Electrical and Wiring forum so you won't be having to say your thanks to everyone who agrees for too long.

Jim and Joan, you folks are wonderful to have around. Your posts, and the obvious effort and time you put into crafting them, are a real nice treat. Entertaining, friendly, funny and genuine. If you guys ever stop posting frequently you had best be up in the frozen north working on a pipeline project with DoD or we're gonna hunt you down. And since the chances of me making it to Texas or the Fiji Islands or wherever you're going to go next are pretty slim, you are required to attend the SBS next year or a CBGT in the NW sometime sooner so I can finally meet you.

Thanks,

Mike

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:40 pm Post subject:

Mike, I'm blushing. Other than my Mother, that is the nicest public comment I can remember. Of course, I have to check my driver's license each morning to remember my name.

We're just having some fun here. Brent and Dixie have a great attitude; especially Dixie. Standing in the laundrymat, dripping with sweat, she said, "Isn't this just great? I love this!" I asked if she meant the laundrymat. She responded, "It's not so good, but did you see the moon on the water last night?" The girl has spunk. I hate spunk. If Brent wasn't so big and there hadn't been so many witnesses, I would have sucker-punched her and blamed it on someone else.

Yes, I'm kidding. As the t-shirt says, "The difference between adversity and adventure is attitude."

Thanks for the kind words. We are certainly looking forward to meeting you, as well. We are tentative scheduled for the Bellingham gathering (any good reason to see Joe and Ruth again). Hope that works out - I'll buy the first adult beverage.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject:

Lou Grant, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, if I am not mistaken!

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 10:36 pm Post subject: