spicemouse Posted May 6, 2021 Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 Hi all, next thing to go wrong on my boat... My battery charger seems to have overheated and melted itself! After about 15min of charging this morning my breakers tripped and upon investigation I found brown bakelite smelling goo coming from the unit (top of image) You can see it's dripped down onto the sockets. Not great! I'm guessing either something has stopped the fans or the temperature control in the unit has died. Either way, I am reluctant to turn it back on and my it potentially worse, so no battery charging for me. Anyone have any advice? Is this beyond repair? Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUMPY Posted May 6, 2021 Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 Place it in the small electrical recycling bin. Then buy a better charger something like this. https://www.portablepowertech.com/product/premium-30a-12v-battery-charger/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicemouse Posted May 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 2 minutes ago, Loddon said: Place it in the small electrical recycling bin. Then buy a better charger something like this. https://www.portablepowertech.com/product/premium-30a-12v-battery-charger/ Thanks, that's cheaper than I thought it would be! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy D'arth Posted May 6, 2021 Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 More ecconomical, look on the Durite site.Simple 3 stage chargers, well made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mack Posted May 6, 2021 Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 1 hour ago, Loddon said: Place it in the small electrical recycling bin. Then buy a better charger something like this. https://www.portablepowertech.com/product/premium-30a-12v-battery-charger/ "Out of stock" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUMPY Posted May 6, 2021 Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 7 minutes ago, David Mack said: "Out of stock" As may be but there are others on that type on that site that are not out if stock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonka Posted May 6, 2021 Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 11 minutes ago, David Mack said: "Out of stock" Also doesnt screw to the wall. Wouldn't a Ctek one be a better investment. How many outputs does your Sterling one have as my sterling is 20A and 2 outputs if I remember right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicemouse Posted May 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 4 minutes ago, Tonka said: How many outputs does your Sterling one have as my sterling is 20A and 2 outputs if I remember right. It has outputs. Seems like two positive outs and one negative. 40A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicemouse Posted May 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 Could I use something like this while I'm waiting for a higher quality replacement? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Enhanced-Automotive-Portable-Maintainer-Motorcycle/dp/B08MSXMBGJ/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1XDR0UVMTHDOU&dchild=1&keywords=12v+battery+charger&qid=1620308116&quartzVehicle=29-10519&replacementKeywords=12v+battery&sprefix=stove+fa%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUMPY Posted May 6, 2021 Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 Doesn't your solar give you enough at this time if year? That charger is probably not enough even on a landline 24/7 50 minutes ago, Tonka said: Also doesnt screw to the wall. Wouldn't a Ctek one be a better investment. How many outputs does your Sterling one have as my sterling is 20A and 2 outputs if I remember right. Look again it does screw to the wall? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicemouse Posted May 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 1 minute ago, Loddon said: Doesn't your solar give you enough at this time if year? That charger is probably not enough even on a landline 24/7 I'm fitting the solar this month, so nothing is charging my batteries right now. I have an old Sterling travel power unit, which can provide plenty of 240v AC when I've got the engine on, so I'd plug the charger in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eeyore Posted May 6, 2021 Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 5 minutes ago, spicemouse said: I'm fitting the solar this month, so nothing is charging my batteries right now. I have an old Sterling travel power unit, which can provide plenty of 240v AC when I've got the engine on, so I'd plug the charger in there. But your batteries would charge with the engine running anyway. Or have I missed something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicemouse Posted May 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 1 minute ago, Eeyore said: But your batteries would charge with the engine running anyway. Or have I missed something? AC comes out the travel pack unit, and the battery charger (RIP) plugged into the standard UK 3 on AC point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy D'arth Posted May 6, 2021 Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 4 minutes ago, spicemouse said: AC comes out the travel pack unit, and the battery charger (RIP) plugged into the standard UK 3 on AC point. What for? All it will do is muk up the alternater from charging the batteries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard10002 Posted May 6, 2021 Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 3 hours ago, spicemouse said: Thanks, that's cheaper than I thought it would be! The 60A version is 300 quid. For information: I had a Honda 1600w genny which powered an 80A charger with ease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slim Posted May 6, 2021 Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 3 hours ago, spicemouse said: Hi all, next thing to go wrong on my boat... My battery charger seems to have overheated and melted itself! After about 15min of charging this morning my breakers tripped and upon investigation I found brown bakelite smelling goo coming from the unit (top of image) You can see it's dripped down onto the sockets. Not great! I'm guessing either something has stopped the fans or the temperature control in the unit has died. Either way, I am reluctant to turn it back on and my it potentially worse, so no battery charging for me. Anyone have any advice? Is this beyond repair? Cheers! R I P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackrose Posted May 7, 2021 Report Share Posted May 7, 2021 I'd give Sterling a quick call before chucking it away if I were you. I sent them an alternator regulator to adjust once and it was well out of warranty. Didn't charge me a penny. It's got to be worth a phone call even if they aren't interested. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted May 7, 2021 Report Share Posted May 7, 2021 I agree. I fried an expensive Sterling unit. Quick email and I sent it to him, he repaired it for 10 quid including carriage. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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