Shore power - battery charge

[Tiger Lily]

Is it wise to permanently hook up to shore power for battery charge full time.

 

[noelex]

If you have lead acid batteries, good galvanic isolation, and a sophisticated battery charger that will automatically (or can be manually set) to suitable storage set points, definitely yes.

 

[Tiger Lily]

If you have lead acid batteries, good galvanic isolation, and a sophisticated battery charger that will automatically (or can be manually set) to suitable storage set points, definitely yes.

Thanks for reply. I have a bank of 4no 130ah deep cycle AGM batteries Melbourne

 

[Chris_d]

I'm going to contradict the above and say don't leave connected for extended periods, I've never done it and generally seem to get 8-10 years life out of domestic batteries. The important thing is to never leave batteries in a discharged state especially for extended periods, if your leaving the boat for several weeks charge them up first. I've seen lots of failed batteries due to being left connected to so called safe chargers but either the batteries have failed or the charger has failed. Safest option is everything turned off.

 

[dunedin]

My preference is shore power disconnected but solar MPPT keeping topped up.
Last batteries swapped at 13 years old and still pretty good.
Point about good galvanic isolator in post #2 is also crucial.

 

[oldgit]

It may well give you 10 years out of your battery, but a 10 year old battery in the bottom of your sunken boat when the bilge pumps fail to function because the battery is flat might possibly be a saving to far.
Penny wise ?
One of course hopes that the marina staff would spot your boat quietly sinking due to a flat battery, keeping any shorepower connected might prove more reliable ?
Leave it on, the electricity company needs to money.