12v battery charger

[cagey]

Need to buy a new battery charger, which is the best charger in terms of price and ability please.
Thanks

 

[KompetentKrew]

Size of your batteries?

Is this for shore power use on your boat, or some other random use?

 

[Refueler]

For what mode ?

Maintenance (auto-trickle)
High rate
Low rate
Permanent connection to battery(s)
Occasional use

For years I was one who followed the usual regime of a moderate rate charger (10A +) into an auto detect split charge unit. But when I sat down and worked out real needs ( 2x 100A/hr batterys) ... being marina based - it was definitely more than needed. I accept that I don't have the sort of 'modern day' items on board that seem to be current now ... I have cabin lighting, large old Coolbox, VHF, GPS, Tillerpilot, phone charging, PC power point, WiFi distributor, usual dual Depth / Speed, cabin fan ..... nothing really demanding ..
My engine based charging will usually manage to keep up with it departing / arriving berths.

I simplified my additional charging by searching for maintenance units of low rate - that could be permanently connected while on home berth. They automatically switch on / off as batterys need. I rejected Smart Chargers as most have a property that does not suit - many switch off and will not resume when battery depletes. Care needs to be made in selecting unit that will resume without user intervention.

So for periods sitting on home mooring - I use a pair of RV maintenance units, which have LED's indicating state ... about 5cms square ... fit and forget.

Smart Car Battery Chargers Maintainer Auto 12V Trickle For Truck Van Motorcycle | eBay

For those times when we demand a bit more - then I do have a 'normal' charger in the locker as back-up - but so far since installing the maintainers - I've only ever got it out to check still works.
I do occasionally look at solar ... but I would not want to make a permanent mount setup ... it would be a place on deck when boat idle item.

As I said earlier - my demands are low even when I go for 10days or so in Stockholm / Alands Archipelago.

 

[Tranona]

If your demands are modest (up to about 250ah bank) then this is suitable. victronenergy.com/chargers/blue-smart-ip22-charger otherwise look at other chargers in the Victron range.

 

[PaulRainbow]

As Tranona says, go with Victron. I fit them as standard and have never had an issue with one.

 

[cagey]

Thanks for all the replies, as I feared technology has moved on from clip onto battery and plug into mains with the proviso of portable family use. I had a CTEK which I cooked by leaving it on exhaust manifold and melted part of the casing that survived for 2 years until few days ago now I have to replace it . For the boat I need charging for 3x 110 /12v domestic batteries a nd 1x80/12 v starter battery this was all topped up by engine, wind genny and solar panel and CTEK was there to keep everything nice during the winter and for the family cars. I am going to have to research battery power for my new boat which has a mix of 12 and 24 v circuits but at the moment I just want to go the cheap and easy route.
Thanks
Keith

 

[VicS]

Need to buy a new battery charger, which is the best charger in terms of price and ability please.
Thanks

If you want a permanenty installed and wired in charger look at the Victron range and choose a size (amps output) to suit your battery bank size.
If you want a compact charger that you connect and plug in when needed look at the Ctek range.

 

[QBhoy]

Ctek marine units are amazing wee things

 

[Tranona]

Thanks for all the replies, as I feared technology has moved on from clip onto battery and plug into mains with the proviso of portable family use. I had a CTEK which I cooked by leaving it on exhaust manifold and melted part of the casing that survived for 2 years until few days ago now I have to replace it . For the boat I need charging for 3x 110 /12v domestic batteries a nd 1x80/12 v starter battery this was all topped up by engine, wind genny and solar panel and CTEK was there to keep everything nice during the winter and for the family cars. I am going to have to research battery power for my new boat which has a mix of 12 and 24 v circuits but at the moment I just want to go the cheap and easy route.
Thanks
Keith

If you really want cheap and cheerful then this will do what you seem to want. Obviously you can only use it for one bank at a time, but worked for me while waiting to install proper wired in charger system.force4.co.uk/item/Maypole/8A-Smart-Battery-Charger/2063

 

[Refueler]

Just commenting ..... local Lidl here are selling 'CTek' copies for 16.99 euros ...

Just to remind that many smart chargers are fine for one-time charging ... but most will not resume charging when battery disharges. Sadly so many of the 'basic chargers' are no longer sold ....

 

[VicS]

Just commenting ..... local Lidl here are selling 'CTek' copies for 16.99 euros ...

Just to remind that many smart chargers are fine for one-time charging ... but most will not resume charging when battery disharges. Sadly so many of the 'basic chargers' are no longer sold ....

Another "feature" to be aware of is that some will not automatically restart after power outage or disconnection
CTEK ones will. AFAIK all of them will
The small Lidl ones wont, unless they have changed since I bought mine

 

[penberth3]

If you really want cheap and cheerful then this will do what you seem to want. Obviously you can only use it for one bank at a time, but worked for me while waiting to install proper wired in charger system.force4.co.uk/item/Maypole/8A-Smart-Battery-Charger/2063

Paying £50 for a £20 charger isn't "cheap and cheerful"!!!

 

[Refueler]

Another "feature" to be aware of is that some will not automatically restart after power outage or disconnection
CTEK ones will. AFAIK all of them will
The small Lidl ones wont, unless they have changed since I bought mine

Yep ... that non restart is a serious limitation if boat is left on berth ...

No idea about the Lidl ones - just noticed a load on the shelf when in there other day ...

I realise that many have no interest to 'create' a solution to switch on / off charging using budget parts ... but its not hard and can actually tailor to users reqt's ...

I have a bunch of auto-control boards ... about 2" square. You take a non smart charger and connect it to INPUT side of the board. The mains power also has one lead connected to the board, while other is of course to charger.
Battery then connected to the OUTPUT of the board. The voltages of Cut in / Cut out - are completely user settable ...

Basically instead of as you normally see - Charge being cut while charger is still live to mains ... this board cuts the mains power to the charger- leaving only the 12V of battery live to the board. To me - this seems a safer better way than a 240V charger staying live, relying on the board alone.
When a battery drops below the user setting - the board resets the mains power to charger and charging begins
The user setting of max - allows you to set the board to work with many different types of battery as well as attain as near 100% charge if desired.

As an RC Modeller and also with OND in various subjects including Electronics + AC / DC etc. - I actually enjoy putting together solutions ... especially that I have a MAB and there is no way I am going to pay out sums way out of proportion to the boat, even though I could if I wanted to.

XH-M601 12V Battery Charging Module Smart Charger Automatic Charging Power Outage Power Control Board

I have posted elsewhere that I now have RV maintenance units on the boat and for my garden tractors etc. For me - I am always on the lookout for solutions to try that do not require mortgaging my wallet !!