"On Board" Battey Chargers

[surfer2001]

info need please,
I want to hard wire a charger. I'm lasy after a full day on the water. All I want to do is plug it in.
do you use one? what brand ? how much? are you happy?
thx
Don

[riverbound]

I have used a ot of the ones from batterystuff.com (http://www.batterystuff.com/categories.html?c=84&f=marine_chargers) I have use quite afew of their marine chargers in customer boats and have not had one come back.

[69 Elim]

I completely agree - very simple to use, no problems at all.

[phebus]

I use the Dual Pro Charger. It came highly reccomended from those in the know, and there are several board members running them. Fully automatic, with no fear of over charging. I just plug it in at the end of the day, and the batteries are ready to go fully charged the next day. I keep the boat plugged in to the charger all the time when it is not being used, and it maintains the batteries, which should let me get the greatest amount of time with them before they need replacing. It wasn't the cheapest charger out there, but far from the most expensive also, but I don't remember exactly what I spent for it, but it was money well spent, very convenient just to plug the boat in at the end of the day.
http://www.dualpro.com/images/Dualpro.jpg

[phebus]

DILLIGAF, had the faster fingers, but as you can see, I wanted to be just like him. :D

[Essex502]

Do either of you two that use the Dual Pro Charger use them with the Optima batteries? If so, did you use the standard charger or the special one for Gel/AGM batteries?

[phebus]

I use mine with Optima batteries. I called the company prior to buying mine, and this is the model they reccomended.

[Essex502]

I use mine with Optima batteries. I called the company prior to buying mine, and this is the model they reccomended.
Cool. I haven't purchased anything from Batterystuff.com but visited their site lots of times. Great information on it.

[phebus]

Do either of you two that use the Dual Pro Charger use them with the Optima batteries? If so, did you use the standard charger or the special one for Gel/AGM batteries?
Optima batteries are lead acid batteries in a sealed case, so the standard type charger is what you need.

[Havasu Hangin']

Optima batteries are lead acid batteries in a sealed case, so the standard type charger is what you need.
As long as it doesn't exceed the charge rating of the batteries...

[phuggit]

I installed this one over the winter. It charges the two Optima's in my boat.
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=70852

[Raisin Wake]

I installed this one over the winter. It charges the two Optima's in my boat.
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=70852
That's the same one I installed. Works great.

[TrojanDan]

I used the ProPak IV by these guys http://www.culmrite.com/culmrite/mall/lobby.php
Since I mounted the charger on the port side, the portside battery cable lead only needed to be about 4 or 5 feet long while the battery cable leads to the starboard side battery banks were about 10' and 11' long. For a few dollars more, this company custom made my length cable so I didn't have extra wire spooled up. I get off the water and just plug my extention cord to the plug connected to my charger and all batteries get charged. I leave it plugged in while it stays in my garage too so that the batteries are always charged. It has one of those "smart charge" features. :cool:

[phebus]

There are definately some nice chargers out there, just make sure you get one that meets your needs.
I run the stereo batteries as a total loss system meaning I don't charge them with the alternator at all. It is too hard on the stock alternator to try and charge a multi battery system, and unless you are running an awfull lot, it couldn't charge them anyway. With that said, I needed a charger with the most amps I could get that didn't exceed the max charging amps for the batteries in order to charge my batteries over night.
Don't short change yourself by getting a charger with a low amp output, unless your only goal is long term battery maintenance.

[ClownRoyal]

I use the Dual Pro Charger. It came highly reccomended from those in the know, and there are several board members running them. Fully automatic, with no fear of over charging. I just plug it in at the end of the day, and the batteries are ready to go fully charged the next day. I keep the boat plugged in to the charger all the time when it is not being used, and it maintains the batteries, which should let me get the greatest amount of time with them before they need replacing. It wasn't the cheapest charger out there, but far from the most expensive also, but I don't remember exactly what I spent for it, but it was money well spent, very convenient just to plug the boat in at the end of the day.
http://www.dualpro.com/images/Dualpro.jpg
Hey phebus,
Did you install yourself and how hard was it? How many holes do I have to drill? Is it really 17 lbs?. That could cost me about a 1/2 mph :cry:

[phebus]

Yes it is heavy, but I eliminated one battery. Starting the day fully charged allowed me to go with only two batteries for the stereo, and one starting battery. Installation was a snap, just screwed the charger down, and ran the wires from the charger that have the end rigs pre installed, and put them on the battery lugs and ran down the wing nuts. Done deal. :D

[Essex502]

I used the ProPak IV by these guys http://www.culmrite.com/culmrite/mall/lobby.php
Since I mounted the charger on the port side, the portside battery cable lead only needed to be about 4 or 5 feet long while the battery cable leads to the starboard side battery banks were about 10' and 11' long. For a few dollars more, this company custom made my length cable so I didn't have extra wire spooled up. I get off the water and just plug my extention cord to the plug connected to my charger and all batteries get charged. I leave it plugged in while it stays in my garage too so that the batteries are always charged. It has one of those "smart charge" features. :cool:
Would someone need a ProPak IV for only 2 batteries or could they use the ProPak II for that kind of install - figgering that they'd never have more than 2 batteries on board?

[phebus]

You would only need the ProPak II for a two battery system, but I didn't see the specs listed, so can't say if the amp output would be sufficient for anything more then long term maintenance. I like a charger that can bring my batteries up overnight.

[rivercrazy]

One thing you will notice with the Optima's is their discharge rate when not in use is very very negligible. Your charger won't be working very hard unless you are a heavy user of power when the engine is off.
I can leave my fully charged Optima's all winter. Then put the charger on them and they are fully charged in just a few minutes.

[phebus]

One thing you will notice with the Optima's is their discharge rate when not in use is very very negligible. Your charger won't be working very hard unless you are a heavy user of power when the engine is off.
I can leave my fully charged Optima's all winter. Then put the charger on them and they are fully charged in just a few minutes.
That is true, but the heat in Havasu is hard on batteries, and I like to constantly keep my batteries at a full state of charge to get the maximum life out of them. Also, as stated before, I need a charger to bring my batteries back up after a day of use, so a charger that both brings them back up and maintains them works best for me.

[rivercrazy]

My boat batteries are also on a charger at the end of every day. I think that is why my Optima's have lasted so long despite a 2300 watt stereo. My bats are on their 5th season :D

[ahhell]

these are cool if you on the water nowhere near a plug
http://i21.ebayimg.com/01/i/01/0f/5b/b6_1.JPG

[SouthBay RB]

I use the Dual Pro Charger. It came highly reccomended from those in the know, and there are several board members running them. Fully automatic, with no fear of over charging. I just plug it in at the end of the day, and the batteries are ready to go fully charged the next day. I keep the boat plugged in to the charger all the time when it is not being used, and it maintains the batteries, which should let me get the greatest amount of time with them before they need replacing. It wasn't the cheapest charger out there, but far from the most expensive also, but I don't remember exactly what I spent for it, but it was money well spent, very convenient just to plug the boat in at the end of the day.
http://www.dualpro.com/images/Dualpro.jpg
I dont know anything about this stuff, so I was just wondering if it is really worth spending 100 dollars more on this one than the dual pro 6 volt.

[BarryMac]

http://images.westmarine.com/full/1903467.jpg
I just got one of these, after reading the testimonials of other users on West Marines website I am leary of installing it.

[SouthBay RB]

If you have 6 volt batteries, the 6 volt would be the way to go. ;)
Looks like I'm spending 100 bucks more

[Tom Brown]

I am using a Schumacher 2A automatic charger I picked up at Walmart for about 35 bucks CDN (that would be less than 30 USD). It works slick.
It charges my Optima and then turns off completely. Of course, I don't have a big stereo or anything. I have a small stator on my outboard but don't have a lot of electronics so it doesn't take long to top the battery up, even at 2A. It has a mount so that it can go right in the boat and it's totally sealed.
If I had a bigger load to drive, I'd definitely go with a bigger charger than 2A... unless you can leave it plugged in for a few days.

[rrrr]

I use a Statpower 40+:
http://www.onlinemarine.com/online_superstore/electrical/statpower_tc40_charger.gif
Cost about 3 hundy. I have an Optima starting battery and two of these for the stereo:
http://www.trojan-battery.com/images/Product_Images/j185h.jpg

[me4drvr]

http://www.cascadeaudio.com/prod/powersupp.html
I use a Cascade 90amp power supply in the new boat, it plugs into the generator when on the water and right into an extension cord when not. It has an intelli-charger type system that goes from hard core charging to a trickle charge. Batteries are always fresh. Even with a 4000W stereo. I had a 60 amp supply in the old boat and that worked awesome too. I got that one from Camping World. They are basically RV power supplies.
Right up the alley if you're looking for a great overnight charge with long term battery conditioning.

[Beer-30]

http://www.promariner.com/images/ProductPhotos/images/ProSport12.jpg
I went with this one. I was sold on the DualPro, but noticed this was about the same price (actually $20 cheaper) and still had dual isolated banks. This one, however, sends the majority of it's 12 amps to the bank that needs it most, then divides evenly once it is brought back up to the level of the other bank. Kinda nifty.

[phebus]

Is that dual 12v, or 6v per bank (adjusted with charge up to 12v)?

[shadow]

I use a Statpower 40+:
http://www.onlinemarine.com/online_superstore/electrical/statpower_tc40_charger.gif
Cost about 3 hundy. I have an Optima starting battery and two of these for the stereo:
http://www.trojan-battery.com/images/Product_Images/j185h.jpg
True 40 amp charger
Same charger i'm using,Charges 2 8D AGM batteries over night.
Multi stage plus you can add a temp sensor between the batteries and charger and the charger will automaticlly adjust the charge rate acorrding to discharge and heat.

[GMFL]

http://www.promariner.com/images/ProductPhotos/images/ProSport12.jpg
I went with this one. I was sold on the DualPro, but noticed this was about the same price (actually $20 cheaper) and still had dual isolated banks. This one, however, sends the majority of it's 12 amps to the bank that needs it most, then divides evenly once it is brought back up to the level of the other bank. Kinda nifty.
I could be wrong here but isn't that how 'lectronic stuff works regardless?

[phebus]

No, most two bank chargers are basically two seperate chargers in one housing, and share no charging ability with the other bank.

[GMFL]

No, most two bank chargers are basically two seperate chargers in one housing, and share no charging ability with the other bank.
OK, just thinking out loud here.
If you have a charger that will split its charge to two different banks, then even it out once the charges are equal, wouldn't that just be one charger with two lines going to different banks?
Aww, nevermind, who cares. I have the dual procharger though and it works great.

[Sotally Tober]

OK, I'm right in the middle of trying to put batteries and an on board charger in my boat. I'm going to have 1 isolated for starting and 2-3 deep cycle for a 2500w stereo. I've been looking at the guest 2 bank system. I just do not know if 10-15 amps will recharge 2-3 deep cycle batteries overnight (10hrs) fully. Ive thought about the cascade/iota charger also. But I would have to put 2 of them in to get all the batteries done. Will the 10-15 amps be enough?

[HYPNAUTIC]

Battery Tender is what I like to use. They have single battery applications as. This is just a pic of the 4 bank. www.batterytender.com (http://www.batterytender.com)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c378/jessicajackson99/4gt.jpg

[Beer-30]

OK, just thinking out loud here.
If you have a charger that will split its charge to two different banks, then even it out once the charges are equal, wouldn't that just be one charger with two lines going to different banks?
Aww, nevermind, who cares. I have the dual procharger though and it works great.
It is a 12v, 12a dual bank charger. When plugged in, the processor senses which bank needs the most amperage. So, so bank 1 is almost fully charge and bank 2 has taken a hit. Maybe 10 or 11 amps out of the 12 will go to bank 2. Then, as they even out, each will get 6 until it goes into trickle/maintenance mode.
When UNPLUGGED, the banks are separate.

[rrrr]

True 40 amp charger
Same charger i'm using,Charges 2 8D AGM batteries over night.
Multi stage plus you can add a temp sensor between the batteries and charger and the charger will automaticlly adjust the charge rate acorrding to discharge and heat.
I mounted the optional remote panel at the helm to see what's going on. It's a 4 conductor UTP with RJ-11 plugs, easy to install.
It's a true 40 amp charger. Most 30 amp chargers are actually (3) 10 amp outputs, so your stereo batteries aren't charged properly. The charge rate ("C") must equal 20% of the discharge rate to maximize battery life.
For example, if you drain 80 amps to shutdown voltage (1.67 volts per cell or 10 volts for a 12 volt battery) then a charge rate of 16 amps is required to properly restore the battery. Anything less will effect battery life.

[Tom Brown]

The charge rate ("C") must equal 20% of the discharge rate to maximize battery life.
I thought C was capacity in amp hours. :idea:
Thus, if you want to charge a fully dead battery in two hours, you would use the rate of C/2. To charge a battery in 15 minutes you would use a 4C charge rate.
Hey... you're the battery guy.