Single 12VDC Marine Battery Chargers

[carboman]

Just a quick note to see what people are using on DC only systems. I take my battery off the boat a few times per year and charge it with a siingle output charger, which sounds incorrect.

I use a small solar powered maintainer (1.5watts) on the boat with a regulator and this seems to give me what I need.

Any thoughts on this charger?
http://www.batterymart.com/p-schumacher-15-10-2-amp-charger.html

Thanks!

 

[Johnb]

That is what I use. I have maintainable batterries (every 2 months check and top up distilled water) and most of the time never have to boost charge them. After 7 years I just had to buy 2 news one for a total of $190.

I had the same result on my Clipper Marine 23 footer. I used a crude charger, shut it off when the electrolyte started bubbling and topped up if needed. The single battery lasted forever.

Especially if you can manually pull start your engine, you can save a lot of money and aggravation by keeping the electrical system really simple. That does not mean dispensing with proper fusing.

 

[C Jones]

Thats very similar to one I use. Mine is just an older model.
When I have sailed most of the night I use the 15 amp to be ready for the next nights sailing.
The two amp keeps it up fine sailing alot in the summer, if I don't run it way down
I leave a small solar panel held with a bungy cord in my south window nearly all the time.

 

[JoeWhite]

I used a 12 VDC charger that is used to keep the batteries charged in a home alarm panel. It puts out 1.5AMPs and it is regulated. I used an extension cord and a 12VAC transformer to provide power to the charger. It was always plugged in. It never overcharged the battery.

 

[Benny17441]

Got a Vector one with a digital smart control microprocessor 2/10/20/35 Amp and battery reconditioning for half that price at Walmart. Use it mostly for the RV and automobiles but would work OK as a portable charger in a boat.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Be cautious with portable battery chargers on a boat that is in the water, most are not intended for this purpose. They are great for a trailer sailor once you haul it home. Even the West Marine portable "marine" battery charger warns in the manual that it is not for use on a boat that is in the water. The newer multistage chargers are great, I can go all summer without having to add water to my battery.
Bob

 

[soling42]

Carboman,
Did you read the first review in the link from your org post? Not a glowing endorsement and certainly cause for pause.

I'll hit my two group 27 Deep cycle batts with a car charger for a day or two on rare occasions if I've been out a week (once/twice a season). With an alternator in my OB and a small solar panel at the dock I haven't sprung for an on-board charger/conditioner due to the cost-vs-my need but I'd go for a marine application instead of an rv/home charger if I was.