Looking for any thoughts on battery chargers, not much in the archives, anyone have any great luck with a particular brand, manufacturer. I will be at a mooring, so I am not sure how much we will be plugging in, but it just makes sense to do it right, the first time. It will have two batteries, one cranking and one hose power for a total of about 410 amp hours (I think) Interstate SRM29 Batteries?
- Status
Options
Bob Have heard lots of good things about Xantek (aka Turcharge) and Charles Marine. Just don't do it on the cheap with a std auto battery charger and you should be fine. Virtually all marine chargers are 3-stage cycle op. Seeing as you will be on a mooring, you might be best to invest in a good smart regulator and high(er) output alternator to be independent of shore power. Unless you will be running gear like a refrig, that should keep up with starting loads. Don Illusion
Bob Have heard lots of good things about Xantek (aka Turcharge) and Charles Marine. Just don't do it on the cheap with a std auto battery charger and you should be fine. Virtually all marine chargers are 3-stage cycle op. Seeing as you will be on a mooring, you might be best to invest in a good smart regulator and high(er) output alternator to be independent of shore power. Unless you will be running gear like a refrig, that should keep up with starting loads. Don Illusion
Trucharge 10 Amp
Bob I have a Trucharge 10A (just one battery) on my 25.5, it has been on 24-7 for about three years now, NEVER skips a beat. I bought mine at Defender US three years ago. Don't know if they still have Trucharge now. I am an electronic engineer, and I am VERY particular about my electronics. The Trucharge has been great for me. The Charles chargers are supposed to be very good also. Just DON'T go cheap, you will regret it. If you are going to be on a mooring, look into the roll-up solar cells, to help charge your batteries. Good luck.
Bob I have a Trucharge 10A (just one battery) on my 25.5, it has been on 24-7 for about three years now, NEVER skips a beat. I bought mine at Defender US three years ago. Don't know if they still have Trucharge now. I am an electronic engineer, and I am VERY particular about my electronics. The Trucharge has been great for me. The Charles chargers are supposed to be very good also. Just DON'T go cheap, you will regret it. If you are going to be on a mooring, look into the roll-up solar cells, to help charge your batteries. Good luck.
Statpower/Xantrex 40 plus.
Bob: If you need 400 amp of charging power, you need to look at the Statpower/Xantrex 40 plus. These are very high quality units with 3 stage smart charging (very important) for all battery types. This unit also leaves you some potential for any growth that you may design into your system. I was just on the web and found the 40 plus for a little over $400. We have had one for about 5-6 years. It has kept our batteries in tip-top shape.
Bob: If you need 400 amp of charging power, you need to look at the Statpower/Xantrex 40 plus. These are very high quality units with 3 stage smart charging (very important) for all battery types. This unit also leaves you some potential for any growth that you may design into your system. I was just on the web and found the 40 plus for a little over $400. We have had one for about 5-6 years. It has kept our batteries in tip-top shape.
Amp Hours
Bob, I think there is some confusion on the amp hours issue of the Interstate 29. Looking around, it appears to be about 105 amp hours. You will have two for a total of 210 amp hours. However, you are dedicating one to starting, reducing your house capacity to 105 amp hours, of which, about 35% is really usable on a discharge-charge basis. So you wind up with about 37 amp hours usable. I think a Statpower 20 is more than sufficient for recharging quickly. The 40 that Steve recommended would be more appropriate if your battery amps were as you stated. Now you need to decide if this is really enough for your needs. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Bob, I think there is some confusion on the amp hours issue of the Interstate 29. Looking around, it appears to be about 105 amp hours. You will have two for a total of 210 amp hours. However, you are dedicating one to starting, reducing your house capacity to 105 amp hours, of which, about 35% is really usable on a discharge-charge basis. So you wind up with about 37 amp hours usable. I think a Statpower 20 is more than sufficient for recharging quickly. The 40 that Steve recommended would be more appropriate if your battery amps were as you stated. Now you need to decide if this is really enough for your needs. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
careful with the big chargers
I have a 37-C and I put in a xantrex 10B. IT works great, and you just have to wait a bit longer for a full charge. Don't forget your engine will charge your batteries pretty fast on top of that. Also, if you get a heavy duty charger you will probably have to get a regulator on your alternator. I didn't want to bother with that. Good luck. Josh
I have a 37-C and I put in a xantrex 10B. IT works great, and you just have to wait a bit longer for a full charge. Don't forget your engine will charge your batteries pretty fast on top of that. Also, if you get a heavy duty charger you will probably have to get a regulator on your alternator. I didn't want to bother with that. Good luck. Josh
careful with the big chargers
I have a 37-C and I put in a xantrex 10B. IT works great, and you just have to wait a bit longer for a full charge. Don't forget your engine will charge your batteries pretty fast on top of that. Also, if you get a heavy duty charger you will probably have to get a regulator on your alternator. I didn't want to bother with that. Good luck. Josh
I have a 37-C and I put in a xantrex 10B. IT works great, and you just have to wait a bit longer for a full charge. Don't forget your engine will charge your batteries pretty fast on top of that. Also, if you get a heavy duty charger you will probably have to get a regulator on your alternator. I didn't want to bother with that. Good luck. Josh
Amp Hours and other strangers
Daniel, does it make more sense to use two 6 volts in series for the house power, Batteries in this kind of application are new to me, so I am not sure, but I am told they are about the longest amp hours batteries. I see that interstate has a U2400 6 volt battery, that is rate at 244ah at 20 amps an hour (I think thats what it says) but I attached thelink anyway. I am not really hung up on interstae, except I can but them at dealer cost. Jump in here girls and guys, I am looking for the wisdom of the sages! Or was that ages?
Daniel, does it make more sense to use two 6 volts in series for the house power, Batteries in this kind of application are new to me, so I am not sure, but I am told they are about the longest amp hours batteries. I see that interstate has a U2400 6 volt battery, that is rate at 244ah at 20 amps an hour (I think thats what it says) but I attached thelink anyway. I am not really hung up on interstae, except I can but them at dealer cost. Jump in here girls and guys, I am looking for the wisdom of the sages! Or was that ages?
Amp Hours and other strangers
Daniel, does it make more sense to use two 6 volts in series for the house power, Batteries in this kind of application are new to me, so I am not sure, but I am told they are about the longest amp hours batteries. I see that interstate has a U2400 6 volt battery, that is rate at 244ah at 20 amps an hour (I think thats what it says) but I attached thelink anyway. I am not really hung up on interstae, except I can but them at dealer cost. Jump in here girls and guys, I am looking for the wisdom of the sages! Or was that ages?
Daniel, does it make more sense to use two 6 volts in series for the house power, Batteries in this kind of application are new to me, so I am not sure, but I am told they are about the longest amp hours batteries. I see that interstate has a U2400 6 volt battery, that is rate at 244ah at 20 amps an hour (I think thats what it says) but I attached thelink anyway. I am not really hung up on interstae, except I can but them at dealer cost. Jump in here girls and guys, I am looking for the wisdom of the sages! Or was that ages?
Batteries and other strangers (corrected version)
Daniel, does it make more sense to use two 6 volts Golf cart batteries in series for the house power, Batteries in this kind of application are new to me, so I am not sure, but I am told they are about the longest amp hours batteries. I see that interstate has a U2400 6 volt battery, that is rate at 244ah at 20 amps an hour (I think thats what it says) but I attached thelink anyway. I am not really hung up on interstae, except I can but them at dealer cost. Jump in here girls and guys, I am looking for the wisdom of the sages! Or was that ages? I am not terribly concerned about the added weight, I am dropping almost 150 pounds of motor, and I already ate about 50 pounds of teak dust. Related link
Daniel, does it make more sense to use two 6 volts Golf cart batteries in series for the house power, Batteries in this kind of application are new to me, so I am not sure, but I am told they are about the longest amp hours batteries. I see that interstate has a U2400 6 volt battery, that is rate at 244ah at 20 amps an hour (I think thats what it says) but I attached thelink anyway. I am not really hung up on interstae, except I can but them at dealer cost. Jump in here girls and guys, I am looking for the wisdom of the sages! Or was that ages? I am not terribly concerned about the added weight, I am dropping almost 150 pounds of motor, and I already ate about 50 pounds of teak dust. Related link
Batteries and other strangers (corrected version)
Daniel, does it make more sense to use two 6 volts Golf cart batteries in series for the house power, Batteries in this kind of application are new to me, so I am not sure, but I am told they are about the longest amp hours batteries. I see that interstate has a U2400 6 volt battery, that is rate at 244ah at 20 amps an hour (I think thats what it says) but I attached thelink anyway. I am not really hung up on interstae, except I can but them at dealer cost. Jump in here girls and guys, I am looking for the wisdom of the sages! Or was that ages? I am not terribly concerned about the added weight, I am dropping almost 150 pounds of motor, and I already ate about 50 pounds of teak dust. Related link
Daniel, does it make more sense to use two 6 volts Golf cart batteries in series for the house power, Batteries in this kind of application are new to me, so I am not sure, but I am told they are about the longest amp hours batteries. I see that interstate has a U2400 6 volt battery, that is rate at 244ah at 20 amps an hour (I think thats what it says) but I attached thelink anyway. I am not really hung up on interstae, except I can but them at dealer cost. Jump in here girls and guys, I am looking for the wisdom of the sages! Or was that ages? I am not terribly concerned about the added weight, I am dropping almost 150 pounds of motor, and I already ate about 50 pounds of teak dust. Related link
Batteries
Bob, The use of 6 volt deep cycle batteries to up the amp hour capacity is common. I do believe that you will be happier with several hundred amp hours of capacity in a 30' boat rather than the 100 you were talking about. Our 29' Hunter has 3 Group 27 AGM's. We use one for the starter and the other two for the house side. This gives us about 210 amp hours on the house side. We have the house side running through a secound 1,2,Both switch so that we can isolate either if we need to. We charge with a three leg charger to each battery and off the alternator, we have to make sure the switches are in the correct position. On our 356 we have a group 27 starter and two 4D 's for the house. This gives us 400 amp hours on the house side. All are AGM. Our charging is more sophisticated on the 356. We have a 100 amp inverter charger, a higher amperage Balmar alternator with an MC612 regulator. The system is tied together for any charging source with a Pathmaker combiner. Our boats get used by others. We chose AGM's because we don't have to worry about anyone else monitoring battery electrolyte levels. Another reason to use these would be if access to them were difficult. They are pricey and deep cycle golf cart type batteries are pretty reasonable. The trade off is attention to maintenance. There are plenty of opinions here on this issue. Most are valid for their own reasons. What kind of battery or system you use is less important than getting it installed to operate reliably, safely and to be properly fused. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Bob, The use of 6 volt deep cycle batteries to up the amp hour capacity is common. I do believe that you will be happier with several hundred amp hours of capacity in a 30' boat rather than the 100 you were talking about. Our 29' Hunter has 3 Group 27 AGM's. We use one for the starter and the other two for the house side. This gives us about 210 amp hours on the house side. We have the house side running through a secound 1,2,Both switch so that we can isolate either if we need to. We charge with a three leg charger to each battery and off the alternator, we have to make sure the switches are in the correct position. On our 356 we have a group 27 starter and two 4D 's for the house. This gives us 400 amp hours on the house side. All are AGM. Our charging is more sophisticated on the 356. We have a 100 amp inverter charger, a higher amperage Balmar alternator with an MC612 regulator. The system is tied together for any charging source with a Pathmaker combiner. Our boats get used by others. We chose AGM's because we don't have to worry about anyone else monitoring battery electrolyte levels. Another reason to use these would be if access to them were difficult. They are pricey and deep cycle golf cart type batteries are pretty reasonable. The trade off is attention to maintenance. There are plenty of opinions here on this issue. Most are valid for their own reasons. What kind of battery or system you use is less important than getting it installed to operate reliably, safely and to be properly fused. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Batteries
Bob, The use of 6 volt deep cycle batteries to up the amp hour capacity is common. I do believe that you will be happier with several hundred amp hours of capacity in a 30' boat rather than the 100 you were talking about. Our 29' Hunter has 3 Group 27 AGM's. We use one for the starter and the other two for the house side. This gives us about 210 amp hours on the house side. We have the house side running through a secound 1,2,Both switch so that we can isolate either if we need to. We charge with a three leg charger to each battery and off the alternator, we have to make sure the switches are in the correct position. On our 356 we have a group 27 starter and two 4D 's for the house. This gives us 400 amp hours on the house side. All are AGM. Our charging is more sophisticated on the 356. We have a 100 amp inverter charger, a higher amperage Balmar alternator with an MC612 regulator. The system is tied together for any charging source with a Pathmaker combiner. Our boats get used by others. We chose AGM's because we don't have to worry about anyone else monitoring battery electrolyte levels. Another reason to use these would be if access to them were difficult. They are pricey and deep cycle golf cart type batteries are pretty reasonable. The trade off is attention to maintenance. There are plenty of opinions here on this issue. Most are valid for their own reasons. What kind of battery or system you use is less important than getting it installed to operate reliably, safely and to be properly fused. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Bob, The use of 6 volt deep cycle batteries to up the amp hour capacity is common. I do believe that you will be happier with several hundred amp hours of capacity in a 30' boat rather than the 100 you were talking about. Our 29' Hunter has 3 Group 27 AGM's. We use one for the starter and the other two for the house side. This gives us about 210 amp hours on the house side. We have the house side running through a secound 1,2,Both switch so that we can isolate either if we need to. We charge with a three leg charger to each battery and off the alternator, we have to make sure the switches are in the correct position. On our 356 we have a group 27 starter and two 4D 's for the house. This gives us 400 amp hours on the house side. All are AGM. Our charging is more sophisticated on the 356. We have a 100 amp inverter charger, a higher amperage Balmar alternator with an MC612 regulator. The system is tied together for any charging source with a Pathmaker combiner. Our boats get used by others. We chose AGM's because we don't have to worry about anyone else monitoring battery electrolyte levels. Another reason to use these would be if access to them were difficult. They are pricey and deep cycle golf cart type batteries are pretty reasonable. The trade off is attention to maintenance. There are plenty of opinions here on this issue. Most are valid for their own reasons. What kind of battery or system you use is less important than getting it installed to operate reliably, safely and to be properly fused. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Batteries and other strangers
Thanks Dan, that makes sense, especially the last line "Reliably and safety". Maintenance is not a concern, I am a maintenance nut anyways. I think I'll go with the twin 6's for the house and a starter battery
Thanks Dan, that makes sense, especially the last line "Reliably and safety". Maintenance is not a concern, I am a maintenance nut anyways. I think I'll go with the twin 6's for the house and a starter battery
Batteries and other strangers
Thanks Dan, that makes sense, especially the last line "Reliably and safety". Maintenance is not a concern, I am a maintenance nut anyways. I think I'll go with the twin 6's for the house and a starter battery
Thanks Dan, that makes sense, especially the last line "Reliably and safety". Maintenance is not a concern, I am a maintenance nut anyways. I think I'll go with the twin 6's for the house and a starter battery
Batteries and Chargers
We have 6 volt GCarts for the house, and a single 27 for starting...With a true Charge 20 3 stage for charging at the dock.. I would reccomend a seperate stating battery along with ONE house battery (made up of GCarts, wired series parrell) fed with a COMBINER, not an isolator from the Alternator...Then, depending on your hose battery, you want around 25% of it's size or larger, 3 stage charger... Depending on whome you ask, you will get thier favorite manufacturer... From my vanage point, I have seen both Guest and True Charge (Zantrex now) going out the door....have seen both come back through the door...However, Tru charge have been easy to deal with when it comes to service...Gest has not been... Your mileage will vary... I'm a firm beleiver in setting your house bank up as ONE battery...It is easier to drag down a smaller battery below 50%, so make it easy on yourself, and your system and wire it for ONE larger battery.... As far as alternators go, try http://www.see-my-site.com/batteryshack/ This guy makes a small cased alternator that has been a great item on MYST...Simple hookup, self exciting, high output, 3 stage regulator, etc....Took the original alternator off, cleaned, and vacume packed it with all it's mounting hardware for a spare.... 100 amps when needed, cuts down on the charging time..As a matter of fact, when we motor sail, or motor in the ICW, we use the small crock pot we have with the inverter to have dinner ready for us when we anchor..What the heck, we are making dc power anyway, might as well use it.. Keep the system simple..Combiner, eliminates having to switch, use the switches for total cut offs...Not management.. Install a Link 10, that can be used to monitor the house battery (no need to monitor the start battery, all it does is start the engine)... A great enegy managment tool... We do have 2 75 watt Solar panels, as well as a AirX wind generator...So when conditions are right, we don't have to start the engine for anything but hot water.... We have refigeration, SSB, TV, etc...And we use most everything that we want... Photos available on request.. Happy Holidays Ed S/V MYST
We have 6 volt GCarts for the house, and a single 27 for starting...With a true Charge 20 3 stage for charging at the dock.. I would reccomend a seperate stating battery along with ONE house battery (made up of GCarts, wired series parrell) fed with a COMBINER, not an isolator from the Alternator...Then, depending on your hose battery, you want around 25% of it's size or larger, 3 stage charger... Depending on whome you ask, you will get thier favorite manufacturer... From my vanage point, I have seen both Guest and True Charge (Zantrex now) going out the door....have seen both come back through the door...However, Tru charge have been easy to deal with when it comes to service...Gest has not been... Your mileage will vary... I'm a firm beleiver in setting your house bank up as ONE battery...It is easier to drag down a smaller battery below 50%, so make it easy on yourself, and your system and wire it for ONE larger battery.... As far as alternators go, try http://www.see-my-site.com/batteryshack/ This guy makes a small cased alternator that has been a great item on MYST...Simple hookup, self exciting, high output, 3 stage regulator, etc....Took the original alternator off, cleaned, and vacume packed it with all it's mounting hardware for a spare.... 100 amps when needed, cuts down on the charging time..As a matter of fact, when we motor sail, or motor in the ICW, we use the small crock pot we have with the inverter to have dinner ready for us when we anchor..What the heck, we are making dc power anyway, might as well use it.. Keep the system simple..Combiner, eliminates having to switch, use the switches for total cut offs...Not management.. Install a Link 10, that can be used to monitor the house battery (no need to monitor the start battery, all it does is start the engine)... A great enegy managment tool... We do have 2 75 watt Solar panels, as well as a AirX wind generator...So when conditions are right, we don't have to start the engine for anything but hot water.... We have refigeration, SSB, TV, etc...And we use most everything that we want... Photos available on request.. Happy Holidays Ed S/V MYST
Batteries and Chargers
We have 6 volt GCarts for the house, and a single 27 for starting...With a true Charge 20 3 stage for charging at the dock.. I would reccomend a seperate stating battery along with ONE house battery (made up of GCarts, wired series parrell) fed with a COMBINER, not an isolator from the Alternator...Then, depending on your hose battery, you want around 25% of it's size or larger, 3 stage charger... Depending on whome you ask, you will get thier favorite manufacturer... From my vanage point, I have seen both Guest and True Charge (Zantrex now) going out the door....have seen both come back through the door...However, Tru charge have been easy to deal with when it comes to service...Gest has not been... Your mileage will vary... I'm a firm beleiver in setting your house bank up as ONE battery...It is easier to drag down a smaller battery below 50%, so make it easy on yourself, and your system and wire it for ONE larger battery.... As far as alternators go, try http://www.see-my-site.com/batteryshack/ This guy makes a small cased alternator that has been a great item on MYST...Simple hookup, self exciting, high output, 3 stage regulator, etc....Took the original alternator off, cleaned, and vacume packed it with all it's mounting hardware for a spare.... 100 amps when needed, cuts down on the charging time..As a matter of fact, when we motor sail, or motor in the ICW, we use the small crock pot we have with the inverter to have dinner ready for us when we anchor..What the heck, we are making dc power anyway, might as well use it.. Keep the system simple..Combiner, eliminates having to switch, use the switches for total cut offs...Not management.. Install a Link 10, that can be used to monitor the house battery (no need to monitor the start battery, all it does is start the engine)... A great enegy managment tool... We do have 2 75 watt Solar panels, as well as a AirX wind generator...So when conditions are right, we don't have to start the engine for anything but hot water.... We have refigeration, SSB, TV, etc...And we use most everything that we want... Photos available on request.. Happy Holidays Ed S/V MYST
We have 6 volt GCarts for the house, and a single 27 for starting...With a true Charge 20 3 stage for charging at the dock.. I would reccomend a seperate stating battery along with ONE house battery (made up of GCarts, wired series parrell) fed with a COMBINER, not an isolator from the Alternator...Then, depending on your hose battery, you want around 25% of it's size or larger, 3 stage charger... Depending on whome you ask, you will get thier favorite manufacturer... From my vanage point, I have seen both Guest and True Charge (Zantrex now) going out the door....have seen both come back through the door...However, Tru charge have been easy to deal with when it comes to service...Gest has not been... Your mileage will vary... I'm a firm beleiver in setting your house bank up as ONE battery...It is easier to drag down a smaller battery below 50%, so make it easy on yourself, and your system and wire it for ONE larger battery.... As far as alternators go, try http://www.see-my-site.com/batteryshack/ This guy makes a small cased alternator that has been a great item on MYST...Simple hookup, self exciting, high output, 3 stage regulator, etc....Took the original alternator off, cleaned, and vacume packed it with all it's mounting hardware for a spare.... 100 amps when needed, cuts down on the charging time..As a matter of fact, when we motor sail, or motor in the ICW, we use the small crock pot we have with the inverter to have dinner ready for us when we anchor..What the heck, we are making dc power anyway, might as well use it.. Keep the system simple..Combiner, eliminates having to switch, use the switches for total cut offs...Not management.. Install a Link 10, that can be used to monitor the house battery (no need to monitor the start battery, all it does is start the engine)... A great enegy managment tool... We do have 2 75 watt Solar panels, as well as a AirX wind generator...So when conditions are right, we don't have to start the engine for anything but hot water.... We have refigeration, SSB, TV, etc...And we use most everything that we want... Photos available on request.. Happy Holidays Ed S/V MYST
Ed, please email photos...
Ed, I am in the process or re-designing my 1979 H37C battery/charging/etc. system. I have the original 1979 installation (2 batteries, 1-2-both switch and original alternator on the Yanmar 2QM20) and interested in your system setup. Please email any available photos and/or diagrams to rmcdonald@wi.rr.com Ed, is your 1979 H37C re-powered or do you also have the 2QM20? No problems with the 100A alternator on the 2QM20? Thanks for the info and Happy Holiday Season. Richard S/V Rhapsodie 79H37C
Ed, I am in the process or re-designing my 1979 H37C battery/charging/etc. system. I have the original 1979 installation (2 batteries, 1-2-both switch and original alternator on the Yanmar 2QM20) and interested in your system setup. Please email any available photos and/or diagrams to rmcdonald@wi.rr.com Ed, is your 1979 H37C re-powered or do you also have the 2QM20? No problems with the 100A alternator on the 2QM20? Thanks for the info and Happy Holiday Season. Richard S/V Rhapsodie 79H37C
Ed, please email photos...
Ed, I am in the process or re-designing my 1979 H37C battery/charging/etc. system. I have the original 1979 installation (2 batteries, 1-2-both switch and original alternator on the Yanmar 2QM20) and interested in your system setup. Please email any available photos and/or diagrams to rmcdonald@wi.rr.com Ed, is your 1979 H37C re-powered or do you also have the 2QM20? No problems with the 100A alternator on the 2QM20? Thanks for the info and Happy Holiday Season. Richard S/V Rhapsodie 79H37C
Ed, I am in the process or re-designing my 1979 H37C battery/charging/etc. system. I have the original 1979 installation (2 batteries, 1-2-both switch and original alternator on the Yanmar 2QM20) and interested in your system setup. Please email any available photos and/or diagrams to rmcdonald@wi.rr.com Ed, is your 1979 H37C re-powered or do you also have the 2QM20? No problems with the 100A alternator on the 2QM20? Thanks for the info and Happy Holiday Season. Richard S/V Rhapsodie 79H37C
Batteries, etc
Will send you what pictures that I have, as well as the part number for the combiner... We have a 3J engine, was repowered in '97 by the privious owner...So the hp has never been an issue with us... 73 Ed S/V MYST
Will send you what pictures that I have, as well as the part number for the combiner... We have a 3J engine, was repowered in '97 by the privious owner...So the hp has never been an issue with us... 73 Ed S/V MYST
- Status