Low charging from the battery charger

[Ken Juul]

Haven't used the boat that much this summer.  Got here today and plugged into the dock power, finished unloading the  car.  Checked the Link when I was done and it was only showing 12.4v.  Something is not right.  I started checking around,  the power and ground leads seemed to move a bit in the charger.  Got the screwdriver out and tightend the set screws.  20 minutes later, the voltage is climbing.  Problem solved.  Making sure the connections are tight is now on the monthly checklist.

[Ron Hill]

Ken : Did you check the lock washers?, or rebend them or replace them with star washers? 

a thought

[lazybone]

Haven't used the boat that much this summer.  Got here today and plugged into the dock power, finished unloading the  car.  Checked the Link when I was done and it was only showing 12.4v.  Something is not right.  I started checking around,  the power and ground leads seemed to move a bit in the charger.  Got the screwdriver out and tightend the set screws.  20 minutes later, the voltage is climbing.  Problem solved.  Making sure the connections are tight is now on the monthly checklist.

Crap,
Must be hundreds of electrical connections on the boat?
The thought of checking them monthly makes me ill.

How the heck do they loosen on there own?

[Ken Juul]

No lock washers involved.  Small set screws that hold the wires into the socket.  I guess I could use some locktite on them, but they are so small I'm afraid I would strip them if I ever had to take them out.

[Ron Hill]

Ken : The best way with set screws is to tin the wire ends and then crank the set screws in (make a depression) to hold them. 

[mainesail]

Ken : The best way with set screws is to tin the wire ends and then crank the set screws in (make a depression) to hold them. 

The "proper way" is to be using set screws that impinge on a pressure plate, not directly onto the wire stranding. A set screw that bites directly into the wire is against ABYC standards, for good reason.

If that is all you have available, set screw mashing directly onto the wire, and you have a non ABYC compliant charger without pressure plates, then crimping on wire ferrules is the next best option.

I would only consider solder tinning as a distant third. I see far to many fractured solder joints in my daily work....

[Ron Hill]

Guys : Mainsail is correct!!  

Sorry, What I didn't say is that I take a diamond file and take the point off so I have a flat set screw.