Battery charging for a 285

[Bob]

I have a Hunter 1987 28.5 with two batteries. We just bought the boat late last year and were lucky enogh to sail her about three times before she was hauled out. But now she's back in the water and I've been thinking about the batteries.I've read a lot about battery chargers and although I've learned a few things there seem to be a lot of choices. "Smart", 3 phase, 2 bank, etc. Our 12 volt power usage will be limited to starting the engine, running the electronics (depth, speed, GPS) and lights. I imagine my requirements for charging the batteries while at dock side can't be that complicated!My question is, if you've installed a charging system in a boat like our's what did you buy? How did you install it? Difficult? Cost? Things you would have done differently. Thanks!Bob

 

[Matt Sanderson]

Battery Charger Installation

I have a 1985 28.5 that I'm installing a battery charger in now. My 12 volt usage is similar to yours and have AC shore power available. I chose a Charles 10 amp, two bank, 3 stage charger that was on sale at Boat US. My batteries are located under the sink and I want to mount the charger in the cabinet under the stove. The AC panel is located on the opposite side. I spent the longest time trying to figure out a neatly finished way to snake the AC cable under the sole. I couldn't get a snake wire to run all the way through the grid opening that carries the water lines across, nor through the tube that carries the AC cable across for the outlets. I finally decided to run the AC cable from the aft cabin outlet to a circuit breaker and then to the charger. I'd like to hear anyone's thoughts on this. I hope this helps.

 

[John]

Battery Charger

I have a 1988 28.5 that had a charger installed when I bought the boat a couple of years ago. I'm not sure of the brand of the charger but will check on my next trip out to the boat. The charger is mounted on the bulkhead in the aft starboard locker. Two batteries are located in the locker directly under the charger and a third battery is located under the galley sink. The selection switch only has two positions so I guess one position has two batteries and the other only has one. Everything seems to work ok, so I figure it's best to just leave it alone...

 

[John]

Charger

I also have a 86' 28.5 I bought a couple of years ago with the same use and mine is set up like John's of Texas. My charger is from west marina 20 amp. mounted in the starbord comparment, battery switch in engin compartment.

 

[Pete]

battery charging

With our abundance of sunshine here,a solar charger seems to be a good way to go.Sounds like about a 32 watt flexible job might be your answer IF you have a decent amount of sunshine up there.They run around $299. but will keep you charged up on sailing trips when the motor may not run for long periods. Of course a regulator should be used to limit the charge which can be ordered from most solar places.The rule of thumb I read about is that you put back about 1/2 of the rated watts of the unit in amp hours.In other words a 32 watt unit should replace about 16 amp hours in a days charging. My friend has a 50 watt unit that is more than adequate for his loads,however if he adds more equip't he will be in good shape.Something to consider.Fairwinds, Pete