Battery Charger

[z1ppy]

Afternoon.

Simple question i am sure.....

We have 3 batteries on Aviator and one of them clever charger things that switches from float charge to actual charge when its needed (Victron Phoenix i think)

Boat is hooked up to shore power. tube heater in the engine bay is running direct from the boat using the shore power. (no battery drain)

Should i leave the charger on all winter allowing it do decide when they need charge or is this going to knacker the batteries??

Having spent £££ on new Rolls batteries last year i kinda want to make sure they last the winter at least!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Firefly625]

Hi Howard

sounds same to my set up, last owner spent a fortune on a Victron charger and separate inverter for Seabird just before he sold it. So as yours and most modern chargers they do go onto a maintenance charge rate once the batteries are full, but if you are not using the boat then I see no reason to leave it on. I turn mine off. The only thing that I leave on which is on battery circuit is the bilge pumps, but (so long as they are not working! ) all i am powering are 2 tiny led lights. If your batteries are in good condition they will maintain their charge.

With the boat out the water since Nov & battery charger off & I have been down a couple of times, each time batteries still showing 12v...

I do also switch off at night when we are on board as the charger is located near my daughters berth and it is audible with a very small fan cooling the electronic gubbins... all of which will draw electrics which you will be paying for..

 

[hlb]

still showing 12v...

IF the battery is showing 12 V, that means it's vurtually dead.

For my part, I'd leave the batteries charging all winter on a smart charger, the only other option being, to let them drain down till dead.

 

[markcw]

A health conditioned battery should show 12.6 to 13.2v test isolated.

 

[BartW]

if you have the Victron charger, it doesn't harm to leave that one on,
I't won't damage the battery's from overcharging

each time when you discharge the batt. under 80% you reduce its capacety / livetime by a certain percentage.

even a tiny load; alarm, controll light, relay,.... will discharge the battery

I know that some people are afraid for potential risk of fire leaving the battery chareger switched on all the time, .....
I'm willing to take that risk.

 

[Firefly625]

still showing 12v...

IF the battery is showing 12 V, that means it's vurtually dead.

For my part, I'd leave the batteries charging all winter on a smart charger, the only other option being, to let them drain down till dead.

Yeah ok hlb.. its showing something over 12v...as my voltmeter is a needle & not digital readout I didn't give exact. Enough to start engine which at the end of the day is what I need...

I believe the victron charger is one of the best, and so it does have a maintenance level of charge which will do what it says & I guess may maintain there longevity? I just don't like leaving electrics like that switched on when I leave the boat... but that is obviously just me.

 

[PaulGooch]

I leave mine on charge any time the boat is plugged into shore power.

Leaving batteries standing for a long time, especially over Winter, can discharge them enough to kill them. Most people with things like jet skis, motor bikes, etc will put them in the garage on a smart charger over Winter, or have to buy a new battery every Spring.

 

[markcw]

My Battery has a maintenance top up charge once every week, through out winter, i also test the gravity electrolyte levels and and top up with distilled water, a constant charge on the battery will required the levels to be topped up.

Please remember it not just volts which is important, it the amps testing gravity will give you a better idea of the condition and charge of the battery a 100% charged battery should give a reading of 1.265 gravity 75% charged battery will give a reading gravity of 1.239 but outside temp will alter the reading slightly.


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