Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
Whats the best way to charge a marine / lesuire battery ? Is a trickle charger best or is it better to invest in the biggest charger one can find ?
Battery charging
- Thread starter Captain Coochie
- Start date
theforeman
Well-Known Member
the best option appears to be a 4 stage charger. have a look at web page
William_H
Well-Known Member
Battery charging is dictated by what kind of charger you have (or how much money you want to spend.) and how fast you want it charged.
If the battery is at home and time is not a problem then trickle charge is fine. If you are at a marina with shore power you may go for trickle charger left on full time or you may prefer a fast charge for a few hours.
As I understand it chargers can be regulated or non regulated. Regulated provides a accurate voltage at the terminals between 13.75 and 14 volts. When the inherent voltage of the battery (dictated by charge state) rises to near the charge voltage the charge current falls so a full charge takes a long time to acheive full charge if ever. This is the method used in your car and boat by the alternator.
With an unregulated charger (cheapest) the charge current is a series of bursts of voltage and current in sympathy with 50 cycle mains such that you have a larger peak voltage but the average current is lower (more reasonable) the outcome being that the battery is easily charged fully. The down side is that it is also possible toi leave a powerfull one on too long and boil or cook the battery.
A cheap trickle charger gives such a small current that there is no danger of damaging the battery when it is unregulated. Typically less than 1 amp for 100AH battery so it can be left on 24/7.
A stepped stage charger tries to overcome these problems by rapid charging to a certain charge state then reverting to trickle charge for long term maintenance. You get the automatic control so you can't forget and cook the battery and then maintain a trickle charge which will evntually fully charge the battery. It will give a rapid bulk charge in a time dependant on the current capability of the charger.
In answer to your question you can charge a battery too fast and cause excessive heat buld up. So I would suggest a charger rating any more than 30% of the Amp hour rating of the battery could tend to overheat the battery if the battery was discharged.
So possibly a trickle charger is best especially as if left on 24/7 it will replace the natural discharge of the battery. It all depends.....olewill
If the battery is at home and time is not a problem then trickle charge is fine. If you are at a marina with shore power you may go for trickle charger left on full time or you may prefer a fast charge for a few hours.
As I understand it chargers can be regulated or non regulated. Regulated provides a accurate voltage at the terminals between 13.75 and 14 volts. When the inherent voltage of the battery (dictated by charge state) rises to near the charge voltage the charge current falls so a full charge takes a long time to acheive full charge if ever. This is the method used in your car and boat by the alternator.
With an unregulated charger (cheapest) the charge current is a series of bursts of voltage and current in sympathy with 50 cycle mains such that you have a larger peak voltage but the average current is lower (more reasonable) the outcome being that the battery is easily charged fully. The down side is that it is also possible toi leave a powerfull one on too long and boil or cook the battery.
A cheap trickle charger gives such a small current that there is no danger of damaging the battery when it is unregulated. Typically less than 1 amp for 100AH battery so it can be left on 24/7.
A stepped stage charger tries to overcome these problems by rapid charging to a certain charge state then reverting to trickle charge for long term maintenance. You get the automatic control so you can't forget and cook the battery and then maintain a trickle charge which will evntually fully charge the battery. It will give a rapid bulk charge in a time dependant on the current capability of the charger.
In answer to your question you can charge a battery too fast and cause excessive heat buld up. So I would suggest a charger rating any more than 30% of the Amp hour rating of the battery could tend to overheat the battery if the battery was discharged.
So possibly a trickle charger is best especially as if left on 24/7 it will replace the natural discharge of the battery. It all depends.....olewill
mainmarine
Well-Known Member
I use an automatic charger from Halfords around £35.00 it charges at a high rate to start with and then changes as the battery charges, you can also use 12v items when the charger is on.
Malc
Malc
Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
Looks like your right about the slow trickle charger . Ive had a brand new battery used once on charge for two days and nights and its just started to show its taking a charge .
The battery is at home so no problem with getting power i just wondered what was the best way for the battery .
The battery is at home so no problem with getting power i just wondered what was the best way for the battery .
William_H
Well-Known Member
Hi Seaspray the battery may have died or bheen damaged by inactivity rather than only being used once. Give 9it a good charge ie make sure you have put in about 150% of AH rating. The voltage should be around 13 volts after having settled for some hours.
Connect a decent load on it like a car headlight about 5 amps for enough time for the volltage to fall to about 11 volts. You should be able to discharge at least 50% of rated AH. (more if it is near new) Failing that take it back.
I am guessing your comment "just taking a charge" means the voltage is starting to rise. You should be able to get current into it from the start of charging if not there is a problem. good luck..olewill
Connect a decent load on it like a car headlight about 5 amps for enough time for the volltage to fall to about 11 volts. You should be able to discharge at least 50% of rated AH. (more if it is near new) Failing that take it back.
I am guessing your comment "just taking a charge" means the voltage is starting to rise. You should be able to get current into it from the start of charging if not there is a problem. good luck..olewill
Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
I found This site Just for future referance .
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