Re: catalina27-talk: battery charger

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 08:45:52 -0700

Thanks to both for the recommendation.  Got the charger and it is working great.

Bob

Weatherill, Jeff wrote:

I have had this charger for 2 years now, it works very well and has kept my two group 27 deep cycles quite happy. I paid around 130, WM some times puts them on sale at about that as well.

Jeff

 

From: Phil Agur [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 5:32 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: battery charger

 

Sorry for any delays. AT&T says the areas DSL is out of service (translation v….e….r…..y………s…..l…..o…w)

 

I’d recommend a Xantrex Truecharge10 Amp TB

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/185/p/1/pt/7/product.asp

 

And here’s why.

 

I use to own the single bank version of this unit, for another boat, and loved it.

 

We currently have a nice heavy ferroresonant charger (traditional big SS unit) but have no shore power on the docks. While in another marina leaving it plugged in ate both batteries twice. It’s only use now is with my portable generator set I can jump-start the boat with the charger. If I had shore power now it would be gone in favor of the Xantrex Truecharge10 Amp TB.

 

I consider Xantrex to be a top quality brand of multi-stage chargers. You can read the full specs but here are the high points from my perspective.

 

  1. Isolated two bank output (so it can be wired around or bypass the 1/all/2 switch). This means you can keep your gear shut-off when away from the boat and return to two fully charged batteries. It like have two chargers.
  2. Temperature compensated (hot batteries hold less charge and can be fried in hot weather by simple chargers). I believe this one is switch settable the more expensive Xantrex units do this automatically but cost 2x.
  3. Transformer isolated so it will not contribute to electrolysis or be a shock hazard aboard.
  4. It’s a multi-stage charger which can get more power into the battery. The simple explanation is it lets the battery cool down after heavy charging and then tops them off.     

 

Cost wise expect to pay $115 - $185 for the unit. I found a good price at Star Marine but shop around, you might beat that.

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Xantrex+Truecharge10+Amp+Multistage+Battery+Charger.html

 

Phil Agur                    s/v Wing Tip

Commodore,             Call Sign WCW3485

IC27/270A                   MMSI 366901790

www.catalina27.org      Vessel Doc# 1039809

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ebolean
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 12:08 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: battery charger

 

Answers inserted below.  Hope it helps.  Thanks for responding.

Phil Agur wrote:

Bob,

 

How is the charger going to be used?

 

Will it be plugged into shore power except when the boat is in use?  YES

Or

Is it plugged in occasionally when the batteries need to be charged?

 

Also:

What’s the high and low temperature range of your sailing season?

Well let's see on the Chesapeake I guess it can go from a low of in the upper 40s F to mid 50s F early and late in the season and up to 100 F in the peak summer heat

            What type of battery chemistry are you using (lead acid, gel cell, AGM)?

Not sure - whatever I bought "off the rack" at BoatsUS a couple of years ago - standard nothing fancy type battery

 

Sometimes the best charger isn’t the best for a particular situation.

 

Phil Agur                    s/v Wing Tip

Commodore,             Call Sign WCW3485

IC27/270A                   MMSI 366901790

www.catalina27.org      Vessel Doc# 1039809

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of ebolean
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 3:49 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: catalina27-talk: battery charger

 

Hi,

I am getting ready to buy a battery charger.  Can anyone recommend one that they have had a positive experience with or identify those to stay away from?

I have two batteries connected by a common negative to a 1/all/2 switch on the electrical panel.  Is that considered to be one or two banks?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Bob Musson
Piratizer
1988 #6508
Selby Bay, MD

 

-- 
Bob Musson
'88 C27 Piratizer
Selby Bay, MD

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