Anybody understand battery charging

[RIN]

We've just moved to a new berth which has proper 240 shore power. I was hoping to leave the battery charger on all the time but a friend has says that the charger I have isn't suitable for this. The boat has the following documentation for the charge circa 1992 I think. Will it be dangerous leave on all the time? Should I get a more modern one or could I fit a timer to give 15 mins charge a day? Many thanks

 

[epervier]

not wishing to state the obvious, but the image you have posted, under features, says, input voltage 115vac

there's a clue there, shore power as stated by you,... "proper 240"

further to this, is the fact it states an address P.O.Box1306. Newport beach ca. 92663

our colonial cousins use 120v ac 60 hertz,

in the main, Europe including UK use 220/240v ac 50 hertz.

I'm no expert but unless it states somewhere in that manual this charger can be plugged in to any electrical source and automatically sorts it's self out. I wouldn't use it.

Only IMHO.


P.S. for best results use either,Halon, CO2, or Drypower extinguishers on electrical fires.

 

[ianj99]

Assuming you have a 240v version, or a transformer, then a timer is the simplest option. 15-30mins depending upon the size and age of the batteries should do.
(the older the battery the more that is lost through self discharge)

I would certainly not leave it on all the time since there is no mention of 3 or 4 step charging. I've seen and smelt the consequences of leaving a simple battery charger connected permanently - not a pretty sight.

 

[halcyon]

not wishing to state the obvious, but the image you have posted, under features, says, input voltage 115vac

there's a clue there, shore power as stated by you,... "proper 240"

further to this, is the fact it states an address P.O.Box1306. Newport beach ca. 92663

Newmar made a 240 volt version as well, sold many 1000's over here.

Looks like a standard transformer one, runs at a constant 13.6 volt, that is to say it's single stage 13.6 volt regulation.

The multi-stage switch mode version did not come out till the late 90's, what does it give for voltages on the spec.

If it is a standard 13.6 volt unit, it will maintain the batteries, but not charge them correctly. Leaving it for a long time @ 13.6 volt will do the batteries no good, so your timer is a better option.

Brian

 

[halcyon]

I would certainly not leave it on all the time since there is no mention of 3 or 4 step charging. I've seen and smelt the consequences of leaving a simple battery charger connected permanently - not a pretty sight.

Out of interest what would you class a simple charger as ?

As the Newmar has a regulator, runs at the same float, or about the same float, as a multi-stage charger, why not ? I have said do not, but just for battery life, running at float for long periods will reduce it.

Brian

 

[RIN]

We've just moved to a new berth which has proper 240 shore power. I was hoping to leave the battery charger on all the time but a friend has says that the charger I have isn't suitable for this. The boat has the following documentation for the charge circa 1992 I think. Will it be dangerous leave on all the time? Should I get a more modern one or could I fit a timer to give 15 mins charge a day? Many thanks

I think it must be 240. The charger has been on the boat since we had it 7 years ago and has always worked ok. We have berthed for those 7 years at Marina where you pay a fixed fee for elec so they pull your shore power out if you are not on the boat, so we left the charger on all the time. So mostly the charger was only ever on for a few days at a time

 

[ianj99]

Out of interest what would you class a simple charger as ?

As the Newmar has a regulator, runs at the same float, or about the same float, as a multi-stage charger, why not ? I have said do not, but just for battery life, running at float for long periods will reduce it.

Brian

A simple charger in this case (now thankfully obsolete I hope!) is one with no electronic regulator.

 

[PaulGooch]

Fitting a more modern charger, with automatic maintenance would mean your batteries were always fully charged and would last longer. If budget is an issue, you could fit a simple and inexpensive charger such as an Optimate to keep the batteries topped up and maintained while you were away from the boat (you'd need one for each bank).

 

[halcyon]

A simple charger in this case (now thankfully obsolete I hope!) is one with no electronic regulator.

That's what I assumed, it was just your comment on the Newmar, there must be 1000's of them out there running all the time. The problem with them is more an under charging one, rather than over charge.

Though we did make a simple charger in the 90's technically without a reg, but still gave you 98% recharge, it ran 24/7, and de-sulphated the battery, so they can be made.

The problem with this Newmar, if it is regulating at 13.6 volt, is that it is only maintaining the battery, so for 99% of the time does nothing but run up the electric bill. Fitting a timer will not do any damage, but it will reduce the electric bill.

Brian

 

[volvopaul]

I have literally lost count how many boats I service that have batteries that are empty, plates buckled and will no longer accept charge.

When I ask, do you leave the charger on when your not there, and 99% of the time the answer is yes, its also a fire hazard on older style boats.

Yes modern chargers can detect faults and wont overcharge if the battery temp rises, ive also seen the sensors disconnected, this is bad practise.

If you are goung to leave your boat for months at a time, employ someone to go aboard and switch the charger on for a length of time to keep the state level, its far cheaper than buying a new set of batteries.

My boats batteries are over 6 years old and are still going strong, but I check the levels about every 6 weeks, the boats used all year round.

Some people say that boats batteries last 4 years max, so why do vehicle batteries last longer, my 9 year old van still has its original one fitted, its simple, proper maintainance.

 

[bazobeleza]

I have a 240v newmar 40A battery chargers similar to you photo, its been on for about 8-9 yrs. I now leave it on during periods of lay-up, to date my batteries have lasted 5 years... and just failed, so about average. I'll probably put the charger on a timer now, perhaps an hour a day.

 

[RIN]

I have a 240v newmar 40A battery chargers similar to you photo, its been on for about 8-9 yrs. I now leave it on during periods of lay-up, to date my batteries have lasted 5 years... and just failed, so about average. I'll probably put the charger on a timer now, perhaps an hour a day.

Thanks all for the responses. I think this is the point I have got to as well so I am now looking for a waterproof timer to switch th charger on for half hour per day, or even an hour a week if I can find such a timer

 

[carlton]

...I am now looking for a waterproof timer to switch th charger on for half hour per day, or even an hour a week if I can find such a timer

There are a few at Screwfix

and here's six quids-worth from Maplin

 

[PaulGooch]

So, why not fit an Optimate ?

 

[RIN]

So, why not fit an Optimate ?

Its a good solution for a single battery We have two deep cycle leisure batteries (110 AH) and one engine cranking battery (think that's 100AH too) If I understand the Optimate, we would require three at £48 each plus there would be a lot of rewiring. So the timer looks favourite.

 

[PaulGooch]

Its a good solution for a single battery We have two deep cycle leisure batteries (110 AH) and one engine cranking battery (think that's 100AH too) If I understand the Optimate, we would require three at £48 each plus there would be a lot of rewiring. So the timer looks favourite.

Was as much curious as anything as to why these don't get fitted. You are right you'd need more than one, one for each bank would be required. £43.99 on Ebay. I've used one on motor cycles and jet skis, left on all Winter, non stop, certainly improves battery life.