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04-01-2019, 01:36 PM
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#1
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Veteran Member
City: Olympia, WA
Vessel Name: Buster
Vessel Model: North Sea Cape Classic 30
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 48
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Voltage Sensitive Relay issue
My trawler has a BEP Marine VSR that should combine the start & house batteries when the alternator produces 13.7 VDC or more. During a trip yesterday, I tested the start & house batteries with the following results:
Start battery: 13.88 VDC
House batteries: 13.08 VDC
Am I correct to assume that the BEP VSR is not functioning properly & should be replaced? If so, any recommendations for a new brand & model of VSR?
Thanks.
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04-01-2019, 01:51 PM
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#2
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Valued Technical Contributor
City: Litchfield, Ct
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,785
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You could easily have a 0.18 volt error in your measuring device or the VSR was set a little high or both.
A VSR that pulls in at 13.7 sounds too low in any case. Many alternators don't get that high, maybe 13.5.
I like Yandina.com combiners. Their combiners are set to pull in at 13.3 V.
David
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04-01-2019, 01:54 PM
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#3
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Guru
City: Cape May, NJ
Vessel Name: Irish Lady
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,964
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At 13.08 volts something is charging the house battery bank. Check the voltage several hours after beginning the cruise to see if the voltage is closer to the start battery. Also test the voltage drop across the vsr contacts
__________________
Archie
Irish Lady
1984 Monk 36 Hull #46
Currently in Cape May, NJ
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04-01-2019, 02:26 PM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,187
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House banks are usually larger and get discharged more than the start batteries so it may take quite a bit longer to bring the house bank up to full charge. How long had you run the boat when you checked the voltage?
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04-01-2019, 02:57 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: Palm Coast, FL
Vessel Name: Coquina
Vessel Model: Lagoon 380
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,570
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Also, you best test the VSR function at the VSR, not the batteries. House charge load can be very high, causing V drop in the cables. Seems there may not be an issue at all; but am a bit far away to know for sure!
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04-02-2019, 06:19 AM
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#6
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Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
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Plan "B" might be an $18.00 RV solenoid.
When the engine runs it closes , doesn't give a damn about hundredths of a volt , it simply merges the banks.
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04-04-2019, 10:32 AM
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#7
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Veteran Member
City: Olympia, WA
Vessel Name: Buster
Vessel Model: North Sea Cape Classic 30
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by High Wire
At 13.08 volts something is charging the house battery bank. Check the voltage several hours after beginning the cruise to see if the voltage is closer to the start battery. Also test the voltage drop across the vsr contacts
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The voltages were checked about 2 hours after beginning the cruise.
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04-04-2019, 10:36 AM
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#8
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Veteran Member
City: Olympia, WA
Vessel Name: Buster
Vessel Model: North Sea Cape Classic 30
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Comodave
House banks are usually larger and get discharged more than the start batteries so it may take quite a bit longer to bring the house bank up to full charge. How long had you run the boat when you checked the voltage?
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The start and house battery bank were being charged by the automatic battery charger until the shore power cord was disconnected. The voltage was checked about 2 hours after starting the cruise.
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