Wallis stove on issue

[Xtraplus18]

Hi,

Any tips on how to start and run the Wallis 85DT heater on the battery? I would like to run the heater at night or on anchor.

I have an optima battery deep cycle. It starts the heater then the Wallis start light starts blinking.

It works perfect with the engine running or plugged in.

I figured it had something to do with the voltage.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ed

[thataway]

You are correct and that is why the stove does well when the engine is running and the voltage is up.--the Wallas thrives on good voltage. First is to go through the entire electrical system. Take each fitting apart and look for corrosion, wire brush the terminal, then put a dielectric grease on the fitting and retighten. While you are at it, it is time to label all of the wires. The Wallas should be hooked up directly to the battery, or a common post/bus bar at the battery. Be sure you keep the voltage up until the stove is fully lit. There is a glow plug which heats the diesel and then once the drip pot burner is running, the amount of power drops. Only a small fuel pump, a circuit board, and a fan are running. At start up the stove will draw up to 10 amps. Running it will be from 0.5 to 4 amps.

Clean connections, including negative side (often missed). Wire brush clean, both the fitting and the ring terminal. All connections must swaged fittings, and best to have adhesive shrink wrap--you want to keep the humidity out of the contact area. Use an anticorrosive/conductive grease, Be sure your batteries are good. I never had any major issues with the Wallas on 4/5 C Dorys. The other did not have a stove, and we used an induction burner with Li batteries and an inverter. Secret is no corrosion, good batteries, The best volt meters are by Fluke--and can be fairly expensive. I have found the mid range Klein meters to be decent. Most meters will read up to 10 amps, with a secondary circuit. (lower amperage on the standard hookup.)

I also like to keep track of the state of charge of house batteries. Victron makes a shunt which will handle up to 300 amps for a little over $70 which has bluetooth output to your smart phone. Or you can get a gauge read out on a 2" LCD module. Most of the voltage on your MFD displays is not as valid as a specific meter.

[Xtraplus18]

Thank you Dr. Bob,

That makes perfect sense.

I will check out the connectors to see if one is loose or corroded.

I am new to C-Dory ownership. Sure do love my 22’ Cruiser. Looking forward to meeting other C-Dory nuts like myself and doing the inside passage on a few years.

Ed,
“C-Handler”