I'm new to these Xantrex PathMaker automatic battery switches. I was reading up on these units recently regarding the factory settings. Does anyone know what Cabo originally set the following three settings from the factory. Low Voltage Disconnect = 12.8 currently set Connect Voltage = 13.1 currently set Hight Voltage = 16 currently set
I luved these things. Sadly no longer made. The mini adjustments are a bit crude. When I installed these thingies, The dials were usually in mid position, That is where I would leave them, all in mid travel position. In your picture, under the combiner is a diode isolator. If this is involved with your combiner, you may have to include it's voltage drop in your dial adjustments. Without a schematic, I'm purely guessing. If this is factory, Maybe Hatt support can answer or at least offer some theory..
I'm still working to understand the settings on this combiner. Last weekend we went out and anchored for a the afternoon. It was nice so no generator needed for A/C and such. Anyhow, when it was time to go I had no power to start the engines and the combiner had switched off all power, red LED "High Voltage Disconnect" was illuminated. I turned on the engine room blowers and the combiner switched back to green "Connected" and magic my 24 volt DC bus was powered and the engines cranked over no problem. Plenty of available power from my battery bank. I cannot find a tech manual onboard and am searching so that I can read up on the functions of a Xantrex combiner to ensure the parameters are set properly for this vessel.
Thanks for all the help and after reading through the tech manuals I decided to disconnect all (6) Optima AGM batteries to individually test each one. It came down to one battery that had completely failed that was causing the high voltage disconnect and the erratic operation of the combiner. I swapped out that battery and my electrical system appears to be operating correctly now. I applied various DC loads, started the main engines and generator etc. All good. Next weekend we will be getting underway and will put the batteries to the test.
I have to ask? Do you feel lucky?? When one battery in a bank fails (usually the top batt), the rest are not far before failing.
How old are those batteries? What size? And Optima doesn’t exactly have a great reputation. Can’t say I’ve ever seen them in a deep cycle marine application as well. Generally not a good idea to mix-n-match a new battery with old ones but you already knew that Bob.
What is strange is the previous owner changed out all on 10/21 but left one of the start batteries which is the one I just swapped out. This is the first boat I have had with these Optima batteries. My previous Cabo had the LifeLine 8D's. This Cabo is set up with (4) Optima house batteries and (2) Optima engine start batteries. The battery box is built for these batteries with the round coils. They are group 31 batteries and this particular battery was (5) years old.
I use Group 31 for my house batteries mainly because they fit where I need them and I can always buy some locally if I get in a pinch. I have 6(ea) Full River AGM for the house. I have 4 (ea) 8D's for starting and a few 24v items. I'll bet you the previous owner left that old battery as he wasn't able to buy enough to change them all when he did them.
If you don't want to use Optimas you could just remove the insert via the phillips screws and install standard batteries. I Insstalled AGM group 31's on my last 40 from WM.
Most of us have learned never to connect (reconnect) our good batteries to a xantrex device. It's a xantrex.. Post #1 is in reference to the old Heart devices xantrex bought up years ago, when it WAS good stuff. . They put their name on it till supplies ran out. Since then, it has to be the cheapest, most dangerous Chi-trash ever made.
There is no need to replace it as I identified the faulty battery and since then I have not had a high voltage disconnect of my 24 volt DC bus (red light) since then.
I used to sell MasterVolt and Victron. Both companies are based in Amsterdam and build very fine equipment. My friends and customers are still happy, many years later. For our boat, I installed a large Magnum (USA) unit. We are very please with its performance and so far, long life. I had a little 2.5kw Sterling unit. No thrills but that was a good unit. Still have it in storage. All of these brands install similar to each other. Battery cables, ACv terminal strip & RJ11/45 remote data jack. Some connect on the same side (end) of the box, some not. Mounting screw holes will not match. Screw holes probably will not match on a replacement xantrax anyway. You can download any mfg's manual for an install layout if needed. The remote panel for all brands and models are different in size. If you have a built in remote panel now, determine what will fit and how will you trim in the new remote panel. This could be the hardest part of installing a replacement inverter/charger. IMO; I would encourage you to look at the magnum products. Lots of options, stateside repairs and great support.
Open a new thread when you get into a replacement mode. Keep us up on what vendor you go to and how it comes together. Is Detroit still open ?? Silly question from the swamps..
