The battery charger on my 1988 H33.5 failed. There is no output as indicated by the ammeter on the charger even when a load is applied. I have two new (10/99) AGM Optima Gp 27 batteries that are now discharged. After checking the fuse on the charger it appears that the internal circuitry in the charger has malfunctioned. I mainly use my boat for day sailing and dockside activity. There is no inverter onboard. I have the usual DC requirements for navigation lighting, cabin lighting, VHF/stereo, and depth sounder & speed instruments and engine starting. The charger that I presently have is a Newmar RM15. Would you recommend repairing the present charger at a cost of approximately $125 or just buy one of the new "smart chargers"? One of my main concerns regards installation---If I repair the present unit I know that I can reinstall it without any professional help. Any thoughts / advice is appreciated.
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Eric Lorgus
Battery rich & charge poor
David: It sounds like you have 2 nice batteries and now way to charge them. What about your alternator, is it working? I'm not familiar with the Newmar RM15, but you imply it isn't a "smart" charger. My advice would be to read the articles in the West Marine catalog about batteries and chargers (there are several good ones), and decide for yourself whether the cost to acquire & install one of the newer, more efficient chargers is worth it to you.
David: It sounds like you have 2 nice batteries and now way to charge them. What about your alternator, is it working? I'm not familiar with the Newmar RM15, but you imply it isn't a "smart" charger. My advice would be to read the articles in the West Marine catalog about batteries and chargers (there are several good ones), and decide for yourself whether the cost to acquire & install one of the newer, more efficient chargers is worth it to you.
Look at Statpower
David: Just got a new Statpower Truecharger 40 for about $365 from Backwoods Solar (www.backwoodssolar). These chargers have settings for flooded, gel and agm batteries. They also have a 20amp model but this unit is better in case you add more amp/batteries in the future. They also make a remote display that will allow you to monitor the battery/charging state. If you repair you present unit you will only have a warranty on the repairs and will not have a "smart charger" that you are probably looking for. The hook up is fairly straight forward and will probably resemble your current charger. PS: I'm having mine installed but I don't do much with electrical.
David: Just got a new Statpower Truecharger 40 for about $365 from Backwoods Solar (www.backwoodssolar). These chargers have settings for flooded, gel and agm batteries. They also have a 20amp model but this unit is better in case you add more amp/batteries in the future. They also make a remote display that will allow you to monitor the battery/charging state. If you repair you present unit you will only have a warranty on the repairs and will not have a "smart charger" that you are probably looking for. The hook up is fairly straight forward and will probably resemble your current charger. PS: I'm having mine installed but I don't do much with electrical.
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Stephen Ostrander
charge it
Your alternator should still be charging the batteries, unless it is also blown. I would not invest the money in repairing the old charger when you can get a new one for the same $$. They aren't that hard to wire in, just follow the directions.
Your alternator should still be charging the batteries, unless it is also blown. I would not invest the money in repairing the old charger when you can get a new one for the same $$. They aren't that hard to wire in, just follow the directions.
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Marc Honey
Toss the Newmar
Tossed my Newmar and installed the 20 amp smart charger-"Stat Charger", I believe from West Marine. Handles 3 batteries very well. One starting battery and two house batteries mounted parallel. I night sail ALOT in the summer months and will NOT tolerate dead batteries!!! The new technology in chargers is SO much better than even 5-10 years ago.
Tossed my Newmar and installed the 20 amp smart charger-"Stat Charger", I believe from West Marine. Handles 3 batteries very well. One starting battery and two house batteries mounted parallel. I night sail ALOT in the summer months and will NOT tolerate dead batteries!!! The new technology in chargers is SO much better than even 5-10 years ago.
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Wynn Ferrel
Toss the OLD Newmar
I can see tossing the OLD Newmar, but, I would not hesitate buying a NEW Newmar. I recently purchased a Newmar charger after "tossing" my old Guest 2630 OEM battery charger on my H340. The Newmar is a real high quality piece of equipment and their customer support was first rate when I needed assistance in selecting the proper charger. Further, the Newmar 20 amp charger (don't have the model number handy) will, when the boat is plugged into the A/C power, pass through the A/C power and convert it to DC without pulling through the batteries so long as the power requirments do not exceed 20 amps -- thus saving wear and tear on the batteries. I winterized the boat in November, left the charger on and the boat plugged into shore power. When I rechecked the three batteries in May for water, they required only a small amount of additonal water in a few cells. A far cry from the old Guest, that fried two sets of house batteries. This pass-through and DC power conversion feature should be particlarly useful this summer as we like to leave the refrigeration running during the week so that our adult beverages are properly chilled when we return to the boat for the weekend. :-] Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
I can see tossing the OLD Newmar, but, I would not hesitate buying a NEW Newmar. I recently purchased a Newmar charger after "tossing" my old Guest 2630 OEM battery charger on my H340. The Newmar is a real high quality piece of equipment and their customer support was first rate when I needed assistance in selecting the proper charger. Further, the Newmar 20 amp charger (don't have the model number handy) will, when the boat is plugged into the A/C power, pass through the A/C power and convert it to DC without pulling through the batteries so long as the power requirments do not exceed 20 amps -- thus saving wear and tear on the batteries. I winterized the boat in November, left the charger on and the boat plugged into shore power. When I rechecked the three batteries in May for water, they required only a small amount of additonal water in a few cells. A far cry from the old Guest, that fried two sets of house batteries. This pass-through and DC power conversion feature should be particlarly useful this summer as we like to leave the refrigeration running during the week so that our adult beverages are properly chilled when we return to the boat for the weekend. :-] Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
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Tim
STATPOWER DEALS
I just ordered a "refurbished" TC20 charger directly from STATPOWER. The one they are sending me has a complete warranty and even has the remote sensing indicator (a $30+ value). While I knew I wanted to get a STATPOWER (based on inputs to HOW and Practical Sailor), I wasn't sure if the added features of the latest model of the TC-20 (3rd bank, etc.) were needed. I talked to "Ed" at STATPOWER technical support and even he said that the older model would work fine for me and cost a whole lot less! Well, the best news is that when I called back to order, I got the TC-20 with remote for less than $200!!! Over $100 less than a new unit at WM! Can't wait to get it installed! Tim ("TIDE")
I just ordered a "refurbished" TC20 charger directly from STATPOWER. The one they are sending me has a complete warranty and even has the remote sensing indicator (a $30+ value). While I knew I wanted to get a STATPOWER (based on inputs to HOW and Practical Sailor), I wasn't sure if the added features of the latest model of the TC-20 (3rd bank, etc.) were needed. I talked to "Ed" at STATPOWER technical support and even he said that the older model would work fine for me and cost a whole lot less! Well, the best news is that when I called back to order, I got the TC-20 with remote for less than $200!!! Over $100 less than a new unit at WM! Can't wait to get it installed! Tim ("TIDE")
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