Battery charge.

[polo07]

My hunter 23 has no charging means from the outboard for its single battery. The solar charger did not keep the charge up. Any other products you can suggest that have proven themselves? Thanks.

 

[Wright Ellis s/v WhiskyII]

Go to an auto parts store ...

I have used an auto battery charger on my 26.5 for the last 4 years. It rides in the lazarette along with the battery. I hook it up a couple times a month for a few hours and that takes care of the battery.If all you use the battery for is starting a small outboard, a solar charger should be adequate. My battery sat from January to March with no charger hooked to it and started my 9.9 easily.I suspect that if the solar charger can't keep it topped up, something is amiss with the battery.

 

[Benny]

Shore power charger.

Don't waste your time, on a single battery day sailer the only prctical, cost wise solution is a 110V charger. VECTOR makes a 35 AMP multistage which sells for about $30 and works like a charm. If you do not have shore power take the battery home. There is no problem in not having inboard charge capability if you do not need it. Figure out your average power usage in amp/hours for a 24 hour period so you can calculate interval between charges. Do not discharge the battery to more than 50% of its rated amp capacity as it will shorten its life. A battery at rest discharges itself so if you do not sail very frequently I would charge it every time.