Battery charger recommendations

[mrangry]

I have 4 110ah 12v AGM batteries forming my house bank and looking to buy a decent battery charger for when hooked up to the mains in a marina. Am I right in thinking that a charger should have around 10% of battery bank ah capacity? Has anyone any recommendations on what to look for when deciding on which model to buy.

 

[Poey50]

I have 4 110ah AGM batteries forming my house bank and looking to buy a decent battery charger for when hooked up to the mains in a marina. Am I right in thinking that a charger should have around 10% of battery bank ah capacity? Has anyone any recommendations on what to look for when deciding on which model to buy.

I have one of these. Great kit - modestly priced, small footprint, fully user-configurable, Bluetooth so adjustable from a smart device and therefore easily upgraded with the latest firmware. 30 amps doesn't quite reach your 10% rule of thumb but when they get bigger than this the costs rise quite steeply. If staying overnight in a marina then you should be fine. (I'm assuming 12 volts, by the way.)

Victron Energy Blue Smart IP22 Charger 12V 30A 1 Output - BPC123047022

 

[ctva]

I've used the Sterling Pro Charge Ultra for the last 10 or so years. Does what it says on the tin and customer service is good if you need it.

 

[Graham376]

Have a search around caravan shops, often cheaper than chandleries for the same or similar products.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I have one of these. Great kit - modestly priced, small footprint, fully user-configurable, Bluetooth so adjustable from a smart device and therefore easily upgraded with the latest firmware. 30 amps doesn't quite reach your 10% rule of thumb but when they get bigger than this the costs rise quite steeply. If staying overnight in a marina then you should be fine. (I'm assuming 12 volts, by the way.)

Victron Energy Blue Smart IP22 Charger 12V 30A 1 Output - BPC123047022

Hard to beat one of these and i've fitted loads of them.

As you say, doesn't quite meet the oft mentioned 10%, but i don't see that as a problem. I have one that's perfectly happy keeping 450ah of Trojans charged up.

Worth noting, there are also 3 outlet versions available.

 

[mrangry]

Hard to beat one of these and i've fitted loads of them.

As you say, doesn't quite meet the oft mentioned 10%, but i don't see that as a problem. I have one that's perfectly happy keeping 450ah of Trojans charged up.

Worth noting, there are also 3 outlet versions available.

I have been looking at this and puzzled by the 3 outlets version. My four batteries are are all linked in parallel with cables all linked to +ve and -ve distribution posts. Would I simply connect the charger outputs to these posts? What are the benefits of having three outlets?

 

[ctva]

I have been looking at this and puzzled by the 3 outlets version. My four batteries are are all linked in parallel with cables all linked to +ve and -ve distribution posts. Would I simply connect the charger outputs to these posts? What are the benefits of having three outlets?

If you have three separate battery banks. Engine, Domestic and windlass possibly.

 

[Momac]

Worth noting, there are also 3 outlet versions available.

That's what I fitted in spring 2021 and I am happy with it .
Much lighter and smaller than the charger it replaced . Also its silent - I have not noticed the fan cut in . It can be set to night mode for 8 hrs to avoid the fan cutting in if required .

 

[Richard10002]

I've used the Sterling Pro Charge Ultra for the last 10 or so years. Does what it says on the tin and customer service is good if you need it.

Same here for about 4 or 5 years. 60A version, although they can be turned down to 45A, 30A & 15A if needed. I charge with a genny, so would not be happy with a 30A charger, but it would be OK for overnights on shore power.

I find Sterlings' customer service atrocious. When one of the two fuse holders became "dirty" on my charger, thus blowing the fuse in the other holder, Charles Sterling told me to fit bigger fuses until it stopped blowing. With some help here, I opened it up, found the dirty holder, cleaned it up, got a new fuse, (a few), and all has been good since.

 

[Graham376]

I find Sterlings' customer service atrocious.

Join the club! I phoned one time to ask about repairs to an inverter shortly out of warranty. Charles said to post it back and they would look at it. When I got home, phoned them to ask who to address it to and some female said - Don't send it back, we don't do out of warranty repairs and I wish Charles would keep away from phones.

 

[wingcommander]

Another vote for the 30 Amp Victron , I have the 3 outlet serving two banks currently, Reasonably good 6mm wire securing post also.