Marine Battery chargers - any recommendations?

[julians]

Just bought a new (to me) boat, but it doesnt have a battery charger.

Does anyone have any recomendations for a decent quality, good value battery charger to use when leaving the boat in the marina?

The boat is a Windy 25 mirage, and has 2 x 110ah batteries. The various electrical systems on the boat wont really be used much when the boat is in the marina , so I dont need a large charging capacity to run electrical systems at the same time as charging the batteries (probably limited to occaisionally running the small fridge, 4 small lights, and a stereo).

I just want to keep the batteries in good shape/charge them from say half/3 quarters empty to full overnight, and be able to run the bilge pump continuously in the event of a problem.

 

[BartW]

in all my boats I had a charger / invertor,
such as the Victron Multiplus,

one day you would want / could use a invertor in your boat,
ao for mobile phone chargers,
or for the kettle to make coffee
....

 

[kashurst]

I bought a small Sterling charger to do the 12v generator battery - seems very good. Try Ebay - you might be surprised

 

[volvopaul]

Depending on where you are try fernaux and riddel , ther down the eastern road in Portsmouth, they also have a website, I buy from them, hey have many marine chargers in stock. I'd say 20 amp with two outlets should be ok.

 

[Scubadoo]

Have a look at the CTEK range, few boat owners have fitted them.

 

[julians]

Thanks all.

So far from the various options provided , the sterling power pro charge ultra 20A seems to have the rest beaten hands down based on the functionality for the price.

The only thing I'm not sure on is whether it turns itself on and starts charging when you plug it into the mains, or whether you have to press the 'on' switch after you've plugged it in. Given that this will be mounted down in the engine bay which is a bit of a pain to get in to, I dont want to have to manually switch it on everytime I plug it into the mains.

 

[abraxus]

Thanks all.

So far from the various options provided , the sterling power pro charge ultra 20A seems to have the rest beaten hands down based on the functionality for the price.

The only thing I'm not sure on is whether it turns itself on and starts charging when you plug it into the mains, or whether you have to press the 'on' switch after you've plugged it in. Given that this will be mounted down in the engine bay which is a bit of a pain to get in to, I dont want to have to manually switch it on everytime I plug it into the mains.

I have the 40A Sterling Pro Charge Ultra and once it's switched on it stays on, so if you do disconnect from the mains it starts up again when you plug back in.

 

[julians]

I have the 40A Sterling Pro Charge Ultra and once it's switched on it stays on, so if you do disconnect from the mains it starts up again when you plug back in.

Thanks for that, sounds like the charger for me.

Any other feedback about the charger itself, are they ok?

 

[rafiki_]

Sterling are a pretty sound manufacturer. You should be ok with their smart charger.

 

[abraxus]

Hard to say as I've not had it for long, but it appears to do the job.

Was simple enough to install as well.