Battery Charger straight into shore power

Judders

Judders

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I have very little in the way of electrics on my Foxcub, indeed at the moment the sum total is the nav lights, compass light, a very weak interrior light and a car radio.

I am planning to fit a 12v socket (like a cigar lighter) to power my compresser and charge my VHF, in time for my summer cruise.

This got me to thinking, if I was to be aboard for a week or more, I could not charge my bettery, unless I had a charger that I could plug straight into the shore power in a Marina. Is anyone aware of a simple to fit charger that might be available?

Furthermore, with such a charger in place, would it be then be possible to run 12v appliances whilst plugged in alongside?
 
You would need one of the pukka marine chargers. The economy car type ones from Halfords don't have a high enough amperage rating to run appliances as well as recharging the battery, but apart from that there is nothing wrong with your plan. Could give more help if you explained WHICH appliances you were considering installing.
 
We have the basic Halfords charger, and 10m of arctic cable with the marina type plug in one end and a socket at the boat end.

Plug in an RCD and the battery charger. Whilst connected up run any 12v stuff. Simple, efficient and cheap.

Donald
 
[ QUOTE ]
Could give more help if you explained WHICH appliances you were considering installing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably a 12v TV/DVD combi as it would play CDs as well.

Can't think of anything else.
 
Hi,

I have one of These You plug it into Marina 240v and you have full electrics on board. I then use a Halfords smart charger to charge the batteries (recommended so it does not overcharge). The beuty of this kit is that it has a built in RCD so is a lot safer.

I also have a Solar 'Briefcase' type charge for when away from land.

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I charge using a basic car charger, nothing special about it, whilst on shore 240v. It keeps up with most things except a greedy fridge, have resisted the hi tech management systems so far, it works well for me with a one, both or off switch as my control, except when I just unplug it from the mains.
 
Sterling does (do) a budget range of chargers which make a better job of charging your batteries than the Halfords intelligent charger does, mainly because it charges at a higher rate so you can top up the batteries while you are running your TV etc.

If you want the Towsure RCD will protect you, but it seems slightly overpriced to me. makes for peace of mind, though.
 
go to a caravan shop, buy a charger/power supply, (Zig i think they are or were called) it will charge and float your battery plus run a goodly few appliances whilst doing it, a std battery car charger does not give enough amps to cope with running appliances as well as charging, the caravan stuff is a lot cheaper than "marine" stuff

here

http://www.zig-electronics.co.uk/products.htm#

stu
 
I was in the same situation as you. As others have suggested I have bought a cable with an RCD integrated from a camping shop online and I have just bought this charger for my 210Ah bank it is better than a standard car battery charger, without being as ridiculously expensive as a sterling charger.

Marc.
 
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this charger for my 210Ah bank it is better than a standard car battery charger, without being as ridiculously expensive as a sterling charger.

Marc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Arrgghh...

Sterling's budget range are acxtually cheaper than the one above - £70.90 for 12v @ 10 amps, or a more powerful 12V @ 20 amps for £99.87.

The "proper" range are more expensive because they can charge three battery banks at once and quicker.
 
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