Mastervolt 3-40 amp a/c connections.

[Miss Donna]

My 80amp charger and 4-8d batteries went bad. First off how did that happen?

I have a 1986 50' Connie. I am replacing the charger with a Mastervolt 3-40 amp charger. The power cord from the panel is a 3- wire (black, white, green). flat grey covered. Obvious stuff. This new charger has its own cord and connector.. Three wires also, but round, not flat. It has 1/8" metal prong like connections to the unit.. Can I get such connectors for my old wire or should I install a junction box? If so, what connectors should I use for the wires?

I do have over 30 years of household wiring experience and enough boating experience that I know I want to get it right the first time. Any help?

 

[FF]

>My 80amp charger and 4-8d batteries went bad. First off how did that happen?<

My guess one died and caused all to be overcharged , boiling all the water out, do the cases bulge?

Your old charger may not be shot , just doing its job?

>Three wires also, but round, not flat.<

Simplest might be to chop off the end and plug it into where the old charger was.

 

[Miss Donna]

Hello FF, I did not notice any bulging. Charger was only putting out 11.5volts, shouldn't it be around 14volts?

 

[C lectric]

Photo of the prongs? There are a billion, [not quite] terminals.

Maybe just replace the entire cable and wire the new unit to where the old unit is connected.

 

[Miss Donna]

All wired up and running.
Thought I was finally caught up till I was awakened at 4:30 this morning by a noise up top. A front came through and tore our aft Bimini off the flybridge. Miss Donna and I went up and rescued most of the pieces. Nothing actually tore as the metal framing came apart? Never did like that aft canvas.

 

[FF]

Charger was only putting out 11.5volts, shouldn't it be around 14volts?

Most chargers can only add about 2V to the bank , so if the dead batts were 9v or less , no big deal.

Hook it to a new batt and see if the V goes up to 14.3 or so.