Battery Chargers

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Mike

Cat 25 Owners - In the past week, I have bought a 1989 Catalina 25, my first sailboat. I've sailed a few times, and have my keelboat cert, but the owner has graciously agreed to take me out for a lesson next week. I asked him how he keeps the batteries charged, and he showed me a small portable charger he used. How difficult is it to install a permanent charger in the boat? Where should it be located? Any suggestions on brands, size, etc.? I'm not exactly clear on what is connected to the shore power as yet. Thanks in advance, Mike
 
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Joshua Heard

Battery Charger

I installed a permanent battery charger on my C25 and it wasn't that big a deal. I got the 3 stage 10 amp battery charger from Wests, about $100. Follow the instructions to install. Use heat shrink connectors. Run a wire from your shore power connector to the unit. Then run a wire from the unit to the front side of your battery switch. Use matching size gauge wire, or bigger.
 
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Bob Camarena

Multi-Stage

Make sure you get a modern-design, multi-stag charger. They're more gentle on your batteries than the old style or more inexpensive chargers.
 
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Mike

Josua Heard - Battery Charger

Joshua: Where did you mount the charger on your C25?
 
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Joshua Heard

Installation location

I mounted in in the deep cockpit locker (port side), against the wall that separates the aft berth. The electronics, shore power connector, and battery leads all pass through that locker on my boat. There is plenty of space for cooling, no need to vent, easy access, too.
 
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Chris Gonzales

Suggestion

Check out the Guest 2611 two battery/3 stage charger. I just purchased one myself and will be installing in my C30 this week. It charges two batteries at once but is smart enough to direct more current to the battery with the lowest charge. You can leave it on all year and it will actually benefit the batteries rather than damage them by keeping them fully charged without over charging. The link below takes you to their site. Congrats on your C25! Have lots of fun. You may also want to check out the C25/250 Association at www.catalina25-250.org . Lots of great stuff there and good forums. Chris
 
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