Ctek charger- getting a small shock

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    Posted: 18 Jul 2017 at 12:12pm
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I have two ctek charges wired up to two different alloy boats, one a 575 Surtees and the other a F14 Frewza. Surtees has a normal hooked up single 12v battery and a battery switch. Frewza has a stand alone small 12v battery only used for lighting and sounder. Both have the quick attachment wired onto the battery.

I have noticed that I get a small shock off both boats when the ctek is connected only. Only enough to feel on my arm or if I have a cut on my hands.

Does anyone else get this? Anyone got any suggestions how to fix it?
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I've just discovered exactly the same thing. Very low voltage/current (not sure which is the correct term!). Can't feel it with palm of my hand, but can on the underside of my arm.
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I feel like this can only be bad for an alloy boat.
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Yep wouldn't think it would be good. Have emailed ctek direct bit no response yet. Interesting if others are getting the same thing.
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I don't but then I have a Mac plastic boat.
 
Do you have a battery isolation switch and is battery isolated from boat by this (is it working?) have you tried cleaning battery (remove battery and clean with soapy water around and under it) in case of salt buildup conducting leakage to boat?
Good fishing trip nothing breaks, great trip catch fish.
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I had the same thing happen on my glass boat, I had the cowling off the motor and touched my arm on the engine itself and felt a slight tingle. The isolator was off and battery charging. Wondering if there is some voltage floating round the negative/ground.
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By the way, I have a jet ski, so not an alloy hull! I get the shocks from touching metal components/accessories.
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When you have the chargers connected, is the isolation switch turned off?
 I dont use a ctek charger..
I do run trickle maintance chargers...have put a double, fused marine cig socket unit in the top of the battery box direct to the battery terminals. This by passes the isolation switch  which means the rest of the boat/ engine etc is isolated when in charge.
 Or can run stuff when switch off

Rozboons comment above...
I feel like this can only be bad for an alloy boat.

 is  far more significant than just alloy boats but corrosion on boat wiring terminals, and the engines etc


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Yep mine are wired directly to the battery, with isolation switch off. Shock can be felt anywhere on the boat and even the trailer. Still no reply from ctek
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Yep mine are wired directly to the battery, with isolation switch off.

I suggest, (process of elimination) remove and isolate battery terminals.. the +ve 1st.. check if have issue... then -ve and check.
If still there, ground the hull directly to earth.
 That will remove any static electricity stored in the hull. It does sound as if  likely to have a static/ capacitance issue
Now check..
 If still there, check battery top is clean, no salt moisture between the terminals, and check there is no water in the bottom of the battery box.
 If still there, dismantle and clean (if possible the isolating switch.
 A a side note is your isolating switch a double.. ie isolates both +ve and ground?
With battery now totally isolated, all that leaves
make sure the
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MikeAqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jul 2017 at 8:31am
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I had discernible charge from the (-) terminal on one of the batteries in my (alloy) boat.

I couldn't isolated a voltage leak at all.  It even persisted when I disconnected all the terminals from that battery.  My battery lockers are alloy with no room for battery boxes

So I fitted offcuts of plastic tube matting underneath the batteries.  Problem solved.  This suggested to me that voltage can leak throguh the plastic casing of battery.

In your situation I would be slightly concerned that the leak may be from the AC side.  I'd have one of the chargers tested.




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The other thing is ... are you charging these boats at the same property?

I am not sparky but based on problems I have experienced with electrical systems before.

Could it be an issue with the earthing on the properties power supply?

What happens if you plug the CTek in via an RCD when charging?
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Nope two totally different properties, one running through an rcd with no issues
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Appreciate the suggestions. The voltage leak in only when the ctek charger is connected though. No issue or leakage once it's unplugged or even just switched off at the wall.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kevin.S Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jul 2017 at 10:14am
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Is it the quick connector with the led indicators on it?  I had one of those and it caused me lots of problems.  Battery kept going down, wouldn't charge.  Ended up getting the battery changed, tried charger on another battery but both battery and charger were OK.   Eventually threw the quick connector away and haven't had any problems since.

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MikeAqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jul 2017 at 10:33am
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Originally posted by :Hunter: :Hunter: wrote:

Nope two totally different properties, one running through an rcd with no issues


That's that theory dead then LOL.

Seem unlikely that two chargers would be the problem.

I'd now suspect: -

(1) Quick connector as suggested by Kevin; and/or
(2) Leakage through battery casing.  What is the battery sitting on?

Another question: does this happen during all phases of charging? 

For example - does the problem disappear or lessen during the trickle phase?
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Originally posted by MikeAqua MikeAqua wrote:


For example - does the problem disappear or lessen during the trickle phase?

mine does.
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Quick connectors but with no lights. Out of interest I tried using the alligator clips that came with the charger onto the battery, and still the same problem.

Can feel the shock at all times of the charging cycle, but disappears as soon as the charger is disconnected or even just turned off at the wall.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MikeAqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jul 2017 at 2:03pm
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Originally posted by :Hunter: :Hunter: wrote:

Out of interest I tried using the alligator clips that came with the charger onto the battery, and still the same problem.



If the quick connector was still attached to the battery terminals it could still be a leakage path while you are charging via alligator clips.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Titahi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jul 2017 at 3:36pm
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A process of elimination might source the issue...

Connect a voltage meter to -ve of battery and positive to the hull, connect the ctek and turn it on, to give an indication of the leakage voltage.

Remove the fuse in every circuit in the boat, in theory the voltage should drop to zero, then replace each fuse one at time checking to see if the voltage on the meter attached to the hull increases...  I suspect you have a leakage through a circuit, this process might help identify which circuit...
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