I need some basic guidence on selecting a new battery charger. I have an outboard engine, so the 2- 12V deep cycle wet batteries power running lights, vhf, interior lights, stereo...etc. I am looking for suggestions on a good battery charger for this simple operation that will be dependable and not cost an arm and a leg. Also, what amp level should I consider...10A or 20A?
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It all depends
Ahoy Stephen; On how long you want to keep you batteries. You could go to Wally World and get a cheap automotive type charger and charge your batteries until it boils the electrolite out, or catches on fire. you could also spend 300 bucks and get a smart charger that will charge your batteries and then maintain a float charge to keep them up. The batteries will last a long time. What size batteries do you have (amp hours)? How do you use your boat? Do you liveabord, Use it everyday or just weekends? Pleas give us more info. I would suspect you would be happy with a charger in the 70-100 dollar range Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
Ahoy Stephen; On how long you want to keep you batteries. You could go to Wally World and get a cheap automotive type charger and charge your batteries until it boils the electrolite out, or catches on fire. you could also spend 300 bucks and get a smart charger that will charge your batteries and then maintain a float charge to keep them up. The batteries will last a long time. What size batteries do you have (amp hours)? How do you use your boat? Do you liveabord, Use it everyday or just weekends? Pleas give us more info. I would suspect you would be happy with a charger in the 70-100 dollar range Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
Chargers
For a small outboard powered boat, you don't need to spend lots of money for a part-time charger. If you'll be around the boat when the charger is running, a good quality automotive charger (gasp!) can suffice if you're careful and monitor the charge. A decent small marine (3 stage) charger will run you a bit more but will be more efficient, kinder to the batteries and likely safer too. It's not easy eliciting opinions of folks you don't know... Don
For a small outboard powered boat, you don't need to spend lots of money for a part-time charger. If you'll be around the boat when the charger is running, a good quality automotive charger (gasp!) can suffice if you're careful and monitor the charge. A decent small marine (3 stage) charger will run you a bit more but will be more efficient, kinder to the batteries and likely safer too. It's not easy eliciting opinions of folks you don't know... Don
Don't us a auto charger on deep cycles.
Stephen: Don't use an automotive charger on deep cycle batteries if you plan on leaving it unattended. Purchase a Xantrex 10 charger. Excellent quality and it will extend your battery life too.
Stephen: Don't use an automotive charger on deep cycle batteries if you plan on leaving it unattended. Purchase a Xantrex 10 charger. Excellent quality and it will extend your battery life too.
Solar charger
A good solar charger may give you all you need to get you through the night-depending on your amp usage. Do you run a hi-power stereo from dusk to dawn? do you sail late into the night? do you anchor out and need the anchor light on for X hours?
A good solar charger may give you all you need to get you through the night-depending on your amp usage. Do you run a hi-power stereo from dusk to dawn? do you sail late into the night? do you anchor out and need the anchor light on for X hours?
More Information
Thanks to all who responded (Andy, Dave, Don and Steve). I primarily day sail on a lake and plan on overnighting 1-2 days at a time next year. My batteries are 2- 12V group 24 that have approx. 75 amp hours rating (each). Primary use would be a few hours of stereo during the day along with cabin lights and anchor light at night...not a very large demand. I don't really want to show up at the dock, hook up a portable charger, wait around and watch...options would probably be the 10 amp unit or solar. I have received other positive information on the XANTREX 10...it seems like a very dependable unit and battery friendly. Its down to those 2 options...any opinions?
Thanks to all who responded (Andy, Dave, Don and Steve). I primarily day sail on a lake and plan on overnighting 1-2 days at a time next year. My batteries are 2- 12V group 24 that have approx. 75 amp hours rating (each). Primary use would be a few hours of stereo during the day along with cabin lights and anchor light at night...not a very large demand. I don't really want to show up at the dock, hook up a portable charger, wait around and watch...options would probably be the 10 amp unit or solar. I have received other positive information on the XANTREX 10...it seems like a very dependable unit and battery friendly. Its down to those 2 options...any opinions?
Second the Xantrex 10
I recently installed a Xantrex 20 (I have double your battery load) and am pleased as punch. Other than the current, the only big difference between the 10 and 20 is the 10 doesn't have the ability to 'equalize' charge. This is a periodic 'overcharge' that is applied to flooded cells to stir up the electrolyte and knock some sulfation off the plates. Probably not worth an extra $150 for the more expensive charger. Since you are going to be draining your batteries pretty far (I don't reckon an o/b would have an alternator?), pretty regularly, you definitely need a 'smart' charger that will take your batteries through the 3 stages - bulk, acceptance and float - you don't just want a trickle charger. With the Xantrex (or other smart charger) you can plug in shore power and walk away knowing your batteries are being well-fed. One question: Does your o/b have a pull start? If so, you can be less concerned about battery drain. If not, you might want to look at separating the batteries into 2 banks so you will know when you are getting close to not being able to start your engine. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
I recently installed a Xantrex 20 (I have double your battery load) and am pleased as punch. Other than the current, the only big difference between the 10 and 20 is the 10 doesn't have the ability to 'equalize' charge. This is a periodic 'overcharge' that is applied to flooded cells to stir up the electrolyte and knock some sulfation off the plates. Probably not worth an extra $150 for the more expensive charger. Since you are going to be draining your batteries pretty far (I don't reckon an o/b would have an alternator?), pretty regularly, you definitely need a 'smart' charger that will take your batteries through the 3 stages - bulk, acceptance and float - you don't just want a trickle charger. With the Xantrex (or other smart charger) you can plug in shore power and walk away knowing your batteries are being well-fed. One question: Does your o/b have a pull start? If so, you can be less concerned about battery drain. If not, you might want to look at separating the batteries into 2 banks so you will know when you are getting close to not being able to start your engine. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
yes...a pull start
Bob, Yes I do have a pull start. I like your recommendation on the Xantrex 10 vs. the 20. Would you stay with the 10 if they were a gel type battery?...could posibbly switch in the future.
Bob, Yes I do have a pull start. I like your recommendation on the Xantrex 10 vs. the 20. Would you stay with the 10 if they were a gel type battery?...could posibbly switch in the future.
The Xantrax 10 is switchable for battery type
but I don't think you're going to get any real advantage out of gel cells. They cost about 3 times as much for the same A/H capacity, and they are very sensitive to charging rate and can be easily killed by overcharging. They are mostly suited to cruising boats that use the batteries every day and can monitor the charging. Flooded cells, if properly cared for, will last 5 or more years... I just replaced a pair of Group 24's and the guy at Sears was amazed that they were made in 1998! And I've got an 8 year old Group 8 battery that I'm dreading having to hoist out of the cabin... it weighs about 140lbs. Here's a link to a good battery FAQ site. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
but I don't think you're going to get any real advantage out of gel cells. They cost about 3 times as much for the same A/H capacity, and they are very sensitive to charging rate and can be easily killed by overcharging. They are mostly suited to cruising boats that use the batteries every day and can monitor the charging. Flooded cells, if properly cared for, will last 5 or more years... I just replaced a pair of Group 24's and the guy at Sears was amazed that they were made in 1998! And I've got an 8 year old Group 8 battery that I'm dreading having to hoist out of the cabin... it weighs about 140lbs. Here's a link to a good battery FAQ site. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
maybe just lucky?
I used a no name deep cycle battery in my San Juan 24 to power the lights and knotmeter. As the boat was used pretty much only for racing, the lights were seldom used. Boat had a pull start only OB. Ususally it didnt need charging until season end ( season is May thru mid Oct here) couple of times I charged mid season. I would store it outside in the garage- unheated- charge it up and top it up once in the winter. Used only a little Sears 2 or 6 amp charger, usually on 2 amp for several days. Battery finally gave out this year- I bought it in 1995! Now if I could just find another from that maker
I used a no name deep cycle battery in my San Juan 24 to power the lights and knotmeter. As the boat was used pretty much only for racing, the lights were seldom used. Boat had a pull start only OB. Ususally it didnt need charging until season end ( season is May thru mid Oct here) couple of times I charged mid season. I would store it outside in the garage- unheated- charge it up and top it up once in the winter. Used only a little Sears 2 or 6 amp charger, usually on 2 amp for several days. Battery finally gave out this year- I bought it in 1995! Now if I could just find another from that maker
Why are you racing around with a 50 lb
handicap that you don't need???
I'm not surprised that your battery lasted 10 years.... it never really got used. A flooded battery will lose about 3% of its charge per month when left alone. What killed your battery eventually was sulfation of the plates caused by not keeping it charged. Had you just left that little charger hooked up, you possibly would have gotten another 10 years out of it ;D Seriously, why don't you investigate a Ni-Cad battery pack? I don't know much about them, but I reckon you could get one that would provide your power needs and weigh a couple of pounds. BTW, it's good that you didn't try to use that battery for anything else after the first few years... the sulfation building up probably would have kept it from providing much more current than you were drawing. It likely wouldn't have started an engine. For anybody else reading this thread: Don't treat your batteries this way and expect anything useful from them! Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
handicap that you don't need???
I'm not surprised that your battery lasted 10 years.... it never really got used. A flooded battery will lose about 3% of its charge per month when left alone. What killed your battery eventually was sulfation of the plates caused by not keeping it charged. Had you just left that little charger hooked up, you possibly would have gotten another 10 years out of it ;D Seriously, why don't you investigate a Ni-Cad battery pack? I don't know much about them, but I reckon you could get one that would provide your power needs and weigh a couple of pounds. BTW, it's good that you didn't try to use that battery for anything else after the first few years... the sulfation building up probably would have kept it from providing much more current than you were drawing. It likely wouldn't have started an engine. For anybody else reading this thread: Don't treat your batteries this way and expect anything useful from them! Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Portable Jump Packs
Can't beat the portable 12V jumpacks for emergency backup. Easy to tote, easy to charge and can pack a whallop of xtra energy when needed. I throw one of those in my boat on every trip just in case I need the energy to crank the engine the next morning. Tom
Can't beat the portable 12V jumpacks for emergency backup. Easy to tote, easy to charge and can pack a whallop of xtra energy when needed. I throw one of those in my boat on every trip just in case I need the energy to crank the engine the next morning. Tom
6V -?
Bob, very informative link...thanks. Based on my useaage, do you think I could use 2 - 6V batteries or just stay with the 12V?
Bob, very informative link...thanks. Based on my useaage, do you think I could use 2 - 6V batteries or just stay with the 12V?
2 6v batteries won't do you much good...
You'll have to wire them in series, so they will charge and drain together. If one fails, the other won't do you any good, as the voltage won't be high enough to power any of your equipment. With 2 12v batteries, you will wire them in parallel, so if one fails, the other one will usually still work. You can also isolate them into 2 banks with a Guest switch. Then you can use 1 at a time and always know when you reach 50% of your battery life.... time to turn the stereo volume down ;D As far as your usage, only you can really calculate that. And I've found that usage usually self-adjusts to supply. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
You'll have to wire them in series, so they will charge and drain together. If one fails, the other won't do you any good, as the voltage won't be high enough to power any of your equipment. With 2 12v batteries, you will wire them in parallel, so if one fails, the other one will usually still work. You can also isolate them into 2 banks with a Guest switch. Then you can use 1 at a time and always know when you reach 50% of your battery life.... time to turn the stereo volume down ;D As far as your usage, only you can really calculate that. And I've found that usage usually self-adjusts to supply.
Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8charge!!!
Stephen; If I were you, I'd get a flexible solar panel. It'll charge enough during the day to keep up with your needs since you're not running a reefer. When you return to the dock, leave it plugged in. If you like, install a regulator, but you probably won't need to.
Stephen; If I were you, I'd get a flexible solar panel. It'll charge enough during the day to keep up with your needs since you're not running a reefer. When you return to the dock, leave it plugged in. If you like, install a regulator, but you probably won't need to.
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