Fried Battery

[Ned Strain]

Bought new batteries this season (my first season with a 1995 Hunter 336). Have left the charger plugged in during the week while I'm not on the boat - primarily so I can have a cold drink immediately after boarding on the weekends. The battery that is in the active mode on the 1-both-2 switch no longer holds much of a charge. Mu guess is that it's been overcharged for too long. Although the (built-in) charger has a meter and apparently declines in charging amps - it probably dosen't drop to zero long enough to prevent battery damage. I'm looking for suggestions on what to do (short of giving up cold drinks). Should I be using a three stage charger? Recommendations for brand and models?Ned Strains/v Family Therapy h336Chicago

 

[Steve Dion]

Do you want an inverter?

Ned:If you want an inverter and a charger you should probably look at Heart. If you only want a charger only then check out Statpower. Both of these companies are now owned by Xantrex (not sure of the spelling). I purchased the Statpower 40 for well under $400. It makes almost no noise and can handle Flooded, Gel, AGM batteries. It can handle 3 battery banks. Of course you know that you are not suppose to have different battery types on the same charger. I got mine thru Back Woods Solar (www.backwoodssolar.com).

 

[Bryan Morton]

One solution

I just recently read an article in a sailing magazine which addresses this particular problem. The author stated that by putting the battery charger on a timer set for about 15 to 20 minutes a day he can leave his boat for months at a time and return to a fully charged battery.

 

[don]

fried batteries

Ned, I agree with Steve a Statpower charger works great. I installed one this last spring and am very happy with the performance. don

 

[Frank Walker]

Refrig Cycling

Ned,I have a Heart Interface keeping my battery bank topped off and my AB refrig has been on continuously for 5 years. I also have a 440 AH house bank. I have heard of a problem similar to yours that is caused by a small battery bank causing the battery charger to switch to the high voltage acceptance phase every time that the refrig cycles on. Considering that the refrig can come on 50 or more times a day a few months of this can ruin a battery. You might try increasing the size of your bank if you have the room.