Battery Chargers & Isolators

[Stu Jackson]

combining deep cycle and starting batteries

are NOT an issue, Andy, because they are both wet cell batteries.The problem is the ProMariner piece of junk.

 

[Dan]

No jumper in mine

I bought it for use with three batteries. I checked resistance between all the positive posts and they all have 1.9K-ohm resistance. I would have expected 100% isolation. The instructions do say to add a jumper if your going to use it for only two batteries.

 

[KevinB]

Feedback from ProMariner

First I'd like to thank everyone for their helpful suggestions and ideas. ProMariner responded this morning to both my tel. message and the text message I left on their web site. The rep on the tel. tells me the ProSport12 model I had comes with isolated leads that keep current from flowing back through the battery. He confirmed that my unit wasn't working.The email response was far less helpful; it consisted of "I haven't got a clue what is wrong.....", even though I had provided lots of detail in my post.So I have taken the ProSport back to the store.One annoying thing about both responses is they wanted me to ship the charger back to them at my expense for further checking, even though I made it very clear this was a new unit right out of the box and being used for the first time. Is this their way of avoiding defective units going back to the retailer and keep them in the dark about the defect rate, or am I being too hard on them?Thanks everyoneKevin

 

[Stu Jackson]

They are NOT good pieces of equipment

Kevin, you asked: "Is this their way of avoiding defective units going back to the retailer and keep them in the dark about the defect rate, or am I being too hard on them?"In that lengthy link I gave you in my first post, one of the responses was "they have a lifetime warranty so you can keep sending them back!" or something to that effect.The chargers should be deep sixed, Period. They kill your batteries and could set your boat on fire. Isn't THAT enough?

 

[KevinB]

Stu, about your link...

It had some very useful info, especially the part on the 3 phases of charging.Anyhow, I didn't have to deep six my ProSport, just took it back for a refund.Thanks

 

[Stu Jackson]

That was a good move, Kevin

Returning it for a refund was smart. Now, as far as your boat is concerned, it doesn't know whether you threw it overboard or returned it, the most important thing is that it's NOT on the boat anymore. Sounds like a Truecharge 20 is right up your alley. Good luck, and happy holidays,Stu

 

[KevinB]

Steve, found this info about Xantrex.....

Turns out they don't recommend mixing starting and deep cycle bateries when using a Truecharge charger. On the Xantrex web site they mention that combining a starting and deep cycle on the same Truecharge will result in the cranking battery receiving excess charge cycles. They recommend that a manual switch be installed on the output lead to disconnect the cranking battery.This kind of defeats my needs of having an "automatic" set-up to charge both my cranking and deep cycle batteries.Oh well, I'll keep looking.Kevin