On my previous post Steve Dion mentioned not to leave batery charger on unless its "smart". My newly aquired 1998 376 has what looks to be factory installed charger/inverter (not sure the make). Should I assume this is not "smart"? Can I add something to this to make it smart or do I have to buy a whole new one. Also what about the solar panel? Is there a possibility you can boil the start battery away from this, especially durng the sunny summer?
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Statpower!
Bob: Depending on your ultimate requirements. I went with a Statpower 40 Plus. It does not offer any inverter capabilities (I did not want that ability). These units are three stage and can be used on all battery types (Gel, AGM or Flooded). If you have flooded batteries it can take them through a cycle every three weeks to help prevent sulfation. If you want an inverter check out the Heart Systems. There is a single company that ownes these products now. If you have the Guest charger, I would recommend that you look at an upgrade anyway. Lots of problems with these units (from past history). PS: Shop around if you want Statpower lots of different prices. They also sell a 20 plus unit.
Bob: Depending on your ultimate requirements. I went with a Statpower 40 Plus. It does not offer any inverter capabilities (I did not want that ability). These units are three stage and can be used on all battery types (Gel, AGM or Flooded). If you have flooded batteries it can take them through a cycle every three weeks to help prevent sulfation. If you want an inverter check out the Heart Systems. There is a single company that ownes these products now. If you have the Guest charger, I would recommend that you look at an upgrade anyway. Lots of problems with these units (from past history). PS: Shop around if you want Statpower lots of different prices. They also sell a 20 plus unit.
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Steve
Charger Type
I have a 2001 320, and you may have the same type of charger. I don't have the name of it handy, but it was capable of "smart" charging. What that means is that there are settings for the type of battery you have (flooded, gel, etc.), and that it would drop to a trickle charge rather than "cook" the batteries. Although Hunter did not supply a manual for the charger (and galvanic isolator from the same manufacturer), I was able to contact them by phone and they were very helpful. They talked me through it over the phone and mailed me maunals and warranty cards. My advise is to check out how made your charger and contact them. But like Steve said, there were a lot of problems with the Guest chargers so Hunter went with the differnt type. I just don't know when they made the change.
I have a 2001 320, and you may have the same type of charger. I don't have the name of it handy, but it was capable of "smart" charging. What that means is that there are settings for the type of battery you have (flooded, gel, etc.), and that it would drop to a trickle charge rather than "cook" the batteries. Although Hunter did not supply a manual for the charger (and galvanic isolator from the same manufacturer), I was able to contact them by phone and they were very helpful. They talked me through it over the phone and mailed me maunals and warranty cards. My advise is to check out how made your charger and contact them. But like Steve said, there were a lot of problems with the Guest chargers so Hunter went with the differnt type. I just don't know when they made the change.
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Steve
Solar Power
In answering your second question, the amperage supplied by solar panels is very small, so it equates to a "trickle charge". It shouldn't cause any problems, but you do want to check your electrolite levels every month or so if using flooded batteries. This assumes that you are not using all available deck space for solar panels...
In answering your second question, the amperage supplied by solar panels is very small, so it equates to a "trickle charge". It shouldn't cause any problems, but you do want to check your electrolite levels every month or so if using flooded batteries. This assumes that you are not using all available deck space for solar panels...
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Tim Schaaf
More on Solar
You certainly can cook your batteries with solar chargers. Most informed thinking comes to the conclusion that if your potential current (amps), minus load, is greater than .5% of the amp hour capacity of the battery being charged, it is a good idea to use a regulator. There are many types of regulators, some more expensive and some less, but none of them are "smart", since the variables of clouding and angle of the sun preclude predicting any sort of cycle. They DO limit the voltage however, and that is what you need. If you have a large array, however, you do need to keep a close eye on the level of your electrolyte, since, in effect, your batteries will be undergoing a charging cycle on a daily basis. Many cruisers dispense with a regulator if their electrical consumption is high enough to prevent their batteries from ever being truly, fully, charged.
You certainly can cook your batteries with solar chargers. Most informed thinking comes to the conclusion that if your potential current (amps), minus load, is greater than .5% of the amp hour capacity of the battery being charged, it is a good idea to use a regulator. There are many types of regulators, some more expensive and some less, but none of them are "smart", since the variables of clouding and angle of the sun preclude predicting any sort of cycle. They DO limit the voltage however, and that is what you need. If you have a large array, however, you do need to keep a close eye on the level of your electrolyte, since, in effect, your batteries will be undergoing a charging cycle on a daily basis. Many cruisers dispense with a regulator if their electrical consumption is high enough to prevent their batteries from ever being truly, fully, charged.
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Mickey Goodman
Smart Battery Chargers
I have a Legend 37 and I needed to replace the battery charges. I installed a Statpower 40 charger that I purchased directly from Statpower in Canada. They sell refirbished charges for a discount. Check out their price vs West Marine and/or BoatUS. If they are less see if either West or BoatUS will match thier price. I leave my charger on all winter, its smart, and I check the fluid level every month. I do need to add fluid a couple of times during the winter.
I have a Legend 37 and I needed to replace the battery charges. I installed a Statpower 40 charger that I purchased directly from Statpower in Canada. They sell refirbished charges for a discount. Check out their price vs West Marine and/or BoatUS. If they are less see if either West or BoatUS will match thier price. I leave my charger on all winter, its smart, and I check the fluid level every month. I do need to add fluid a couple of times during the winter.
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