Smoking Battery Charger

[aerovest1]

Sabre 30 MK3 arrived at new marina 50 amp service- received 30 amp converter plug started battery charger and it began smoking in a couple minutes- i thought the converter plug prevented this- any ideas zas to what might be the problem and best solution- will be here for the summer- thanks

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, aerovest1.

Sounds like you may have let the “magic smoke” out.

Smoke is frequently observed to come out of electrical/electronic components when overheated, often through exposure to an extreme current, usually caused by a low-resistance failure or the application of excess voltage.
Manufacturers such as Lucas (the inventer of the short circuit), put a portion of magic smoke into every electronic component, and the device functions normally so long as the smoke does not escape.
Once the magic smoke has been released, the device lacks one or more key components and no longer functions correctly.
The smoke thus can be thought of as an essential part in the device's function.
It is also noted that once let out, the magic smoke generally cannot be put back in.

[Ex-Calif]

Good one Gord...

Aerovest1 - I think most folks are gonna need some more info before guessing.

Smoke from a unit indicate shorting, overvoltage, reverse polarity, overload and maybe other causes.

Was the unit working before?
How long has it been on your boat?
Have you been to other marinas?
Is the shore power you plugged into 110? 240?
Did it smoke immediately or was this after you applied some load?
If you supplied some load what were they?
How far down were you batteries and what capacity is your charger?
What is the size of your battery bank?

Sorry for all the questions but there is not much to go on in your post.

[ka4wja]

aerovest1,
Ex-Calif has got you on the right track...can't think of a better way for you to investigate...

But, off-the-top-of-my-head, the very first thing I thought when I read your posting was: "sounds like he plugged '220' into a '110' charger.."
Which means either the "50-amp to 30-amp" adapter was wired incorrectly, the dock power outlet was wired incorrectly, or your shore power cord/plug was wired incorrectly....Allowing the 240-250vac voltage (both "hot" wires) to travel down your normally 120-125vac "hot" and "neutral"....

Not sure if that is what happened in your case....so, be sure to follow ex-Calif's suggestions....and let us know...


Fair winds..

John
s/v Annie Laurie

[Terra Nova]

Check the boat-end of your power cord, using a voltmeter (good to carry aboard for such occasions).

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by ka4wja

aerovest1,
Ex-Calif has got you on the right track...can't think of a better way for you to investigate...

But, off-the-top-of-my-head, the very first thing I thought when I read your posting was: "sounds like he plugged '220' into a '110' charger.."
Which means either the "50-amp to 30-amp" adapter was wired incorrectly, the dock power outlet was wired incorrectly, or your shore power cord/plug was wired incorrectly....Allowing the 240-250vac voltage (both "hot" wires) to travel down your normally 120-125vac "hot" and "neutral"....

Not sure if that is what happened in your case....so, be sure to follow ex-Calif's suggestions....and let us know...


Fair winds..

John
s/v Annie Laurie

My first thought too was incorrect voltage. Then I thought "low battery bank + house loads" and maybe charger overload (but the charger should protect itself) - All a guess at this point.

Occam's razor would say shore power adapter...