2000 Carver 356 breaker for battery charger.

[cpoint]

Hi everyone,

This post is a follow-up to my previous one, but since that got a bit long with multiple topics, I’m starting fresh here.

Due to limited time on the boat over the past two years, I haven’t had a chance to work on some mechanical issues. My latest challenge is related to replacing the battery charger. The original one died, so I purchased a compatible replacement and installed it without any issues. However, I’ve noticed a problem: the house battery only charges when I have the selector set to BOTH (1+2).

I know from our previous discussion that the selector switch shouldn’t affect charging. But since I don’t have much time to troubleshoot, I’ve decided to replace the breaker under the stairs that controls charging for batteries 1, 2, and 3. All three breakers are currently in the ON position, yet the house battery (2) doesn't charge when I select 2 or OFF.

When I switch to BOTH (1+2), everything works fine and the house battery charges. If I leave it on 2 and turn on all powered systems, everything shuts off after a couple of hours. Switching back to BOTH restores power, and after a while, the house battery charges fully. From what we've previously discussed, I’m pretty sure the breaker for battery 2 is cracked or has gone bad.

Next time I’m at the boat, I plan to replace the breaker. Since I won’t be able to return for a week or two, I’d like to have the replacement ready beforehand. My question is: does anyone know which breaker switch would be a suitable replacement for the original one in a 2000 Carver 356? I’m assuming the original breaker is no longer available, but I’ll attach a photo of what I currently have. I’ve searched online but haven’t found a match, and I’m not sure what amps or specs I need to look for.

If anyone has replaced theirs or has information on where I can find a compatible breaker, I’d appreciate the help!

Thanks!

[km1125]

Those breakers are near the "battery" end of the circuit. There should also be a breaker or fuse on the charger end of each battery circuit. Have you checked for that and made sure those were all OK?

Also, another option for you on the breakers in your pic is to figure out what size the battery breakers are and find another -less important- breaker in your panel with the same rating and swap the two. It's a little effort, but then you'll know if it's really a bad breaker rather than just replacing it and hoping.

[g36]

I don't know about the other post but sure sounds like the 12v charger is a single output and is on leg 1 of the selector switch. Which would not charge battery 2 unless the switch was put to 1 + 2. if it was on the common it would charge whatever is position is selected individually or combined. If a multi output charger then where's the output to batteries going? One to each bank,? A check with a multimeter on the breaker would be quicker and easier than just buying one and hoping that's the problem.

[bud37]

Also. have you opened up the panel the breakers are located in and looked at the back of the breakers, for example, the cable connections there ???

I mentioned this before as a few of us had the same issue and it was broken connections etc in those panels.

[cpoint]

KM, "Those breakers are near the "battery" end of the circuit. There should also be a breaker or fuse on the charger end of each battery circuit. Have you checked for that and made sure those were all, OK?" Where would this be? on the battery, close to battery? I have not seen anything where easily seen. Unless under the stair, where it is hard to open. I think the lines are too short maybe. I removed the screws where selector/switches are. Tried lifting and it was not coming up, so I did not want to force and have something pop out under. Is there some trick to lifting that panel without damaging anything? I tried to look under from engine room, but really not much space there and hard to see.

[cpoint]

g36, Thanks for reply. If you mean the charger, it is for 3 batteries. There are 3 battery hookups like original did. I did add 1, 2 and 3 wires from 3 batteries in order I removed from original. I don't think it matters I guess which battery is which post.

[cpoint]

Bud, thanks for reply. I did open but as I replied above, I was unable to pull it up enough to see the back. I think the wires are too short, or something is tied somewhere back there and hard to pull up. did not want to cause more damage. I mean batteries are getting charged, but original charged them whether it was on 1, 2, BOTH or OFF. Now it is only charging house battery with new charger when switch is on BOTH only. If anyone has experience opening that and has some input for me on opening it without causing issues, please let me know.

[bud37]

cpoint...I agree, the cables back there are short and stiffen in their set positions over time making it very hard to get anything done back there. If you are going to replace that breaker then the panel will need to be opened somewhat to allow access to the terminals, sure they loosen from the front but will be tied together in the back. This could have created part of the problem over time.

If you can get it open even a bit, maybe a bright flashlight and mirror could help to inspect the goings on back there, and see if there is something keeping it from coming out further....past that I can't think of anything further, again I do sympathize as I have been thru similar.

Don't damage anything.

Just to add, not saying this is the problem, but needs to be crossed off the list of possibles in my opinion.

[km1125]

Source of the post KM, "Those breakers are near the "battery" end of the circuit. There should also be a breaker or fuse on the charger end of each battery circuit. Have you checked for that and made sure those were all, OK?" Where would this be? on the battery, close to battery? I have not seen anything where easily seen. Unless under the stair, where it is hard to open. I think the lines are too short maybe. I removed the screws where selector/switches are. Tried lifting and it was not coming up, so I did not want to force and have something pop out under. Is there some trick to lifting that panel without damaging anything? I tried to look under from engine room, but really not much space there and hard to see.

No, the ones in the panel with the pic are the ones "nearest the battery". Unless the charger is mounted very close to that, there should be another set of fuses and breakers near the charger. This is not always the case though, as older implementations didn't have that requirement. If you changed out the charger and didn't see breakers or fuses where the output wires went, then there probably aren't any there.

[Viper]

I doubt there are 2 sets of circuit protection on the outputs here unless they were added later.

Anything in that panel under the step is a pain to get to. I've gotten to it a number of ways including pulling back the carpet on the step enough to remove the front step section off the hinge. It gives you a bit more accessibility but still not ideal because the wiring is so short. You should also check the forward cabinet in the aft cabin (TV), there is usually a panel that can be removed for access to the compartment under that step. It's still a fight reaching in there but every bit of access helps. I'm wondering though why the outputs from the charger went to the batteries and not the selector switch which is what I'm used to seeing.

Are you sure all three charger banks are actually working and that you haven't blown an internal fuse? Each output has one. It's either that, a bad breaker, it's hooked up wrong, wire is off, failed output on one of the charger banks, etc. A multi meter would go a long way here. At the very least, you'd be able to tell right at the charger if all three outputs are working.

You probably posted it already but was it a Pronautic P that you installed? If not, what?