What charger

[Muddy32]

I am aware that there have been a number of posts about charging and am up to speed on them. My own suited but has needed to be returned to the manufacturer on 3 occasions, the last of which has resulted in them telling me that the components that failed were at the end of their life. {Less than 8 years].

I do not want to bad mouth them but who makes the best for two banks of 230AH service batteries. Boat only connects with shore power when in a marina [rare] and I have just bought a suitcase generator to feed when on my mooring or at anchor. I have some early solar panels that keep a decent float level when battery switches are off.

So- MBC from Struder Innotec, Victron,ctek or what?

Ta

 

[PaulRainbow]

I would go with Victron or Sterling.

 

[halcyon]

I am aware that there have been a number of posts about charging and am up to speed on them. My own suited but has needed to be returned to the manufacturer on 3 occasions, the last of which has resulted in them telling me that the components that failed were at the end of their life. {Less than 8 years].

I do not want to bad mouth them but who makes the best for two banks of 230AH service batteries. Boat only connects with shore power when in a marina [rare] and I have just bought a suitcase generator to feed when on my mooring or at anchor. I have some early solar panels that keep a decent float level when battery switches are off.

So- MBC from Struder Innotec, Victron,ctek or what?

Ta

Okay, 20 amp unregulated transformer mains charger connected via a timer switch, VSR acting as link. As mains charging is infrequent, spend money on good solar panels and regulator to maintain batteries, mains charging just to top up in bad weather.

Brian

 

[Plevier]

For quality I like Victron or Mastervolt. I've also found Quick ok.
I had a Cristec and thought it was poor, lots of electrical noise. Later models said to be better.
Brian's alternative approach is interesting if you're using robust batteries like T105s. Not sure it would be a good idea if you wanted to use VRLA batteries.

 

[halcyon]

For quality I like Victron or Mastervolt. I've also found Quick ok.
I had a Cristec and thought it was poor, lots of electrical noise. Later models said to be better.
Brian's alternative approach is interesting if you're using robust batteries like T105s. Not sure it would be a good idea if you wanted to use VRLA batteries.

Why what's your problem ? if set up correctly the batteries may well have less stress than with the chargers mentioned.

Brian

 

[Tranona]

I have a Cristec and it is almost silent. Although I only use it rarely, don't see any reason why it should not be reliable long term.

 

[pvb]

I am aware that there have been a number of posts about charging and am up to speed on them. My own suited but has needed to be returned to the manufacturer on 3 occasions, the last of which has resulted in them telling me that the components that failed were at the end of their life. {Less than 8 years].

I do not want to bad mouth them but who makes the best for two banks of 230AH service batteries. Boat only connects with shore power when in a marina [rare] and I have just bought a suitcase generator to feed when on my mooring or at anchor. I have some early solar panels that keep a decent float level when battery switches are off.

So- MBC from Struder Innotec, Victron,ctek or what?

Ta

See this old thread - http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...or-2-outputs&p=6180064&highlight=#post6180064

 

[Plevier]

I have a Cristec and it is almost silent. Although I only use it rarely, don't see any reason why it should not be reliable long term.

I am talking about electrical noise on the output. Physically it was silent, no fan, which is nice. Agree no reason for it not to be reliable.

 

[Plevier]

Why what's your problem ? if set up correctly the batteries may well have less stress than with the chargers mentioned.

Brian

It's not the solar that concerns me, it's the unregulated mains charger. VRLA's will be less tolerant of excessive voltage. It depends how high your unregulated charger goes, how often it's done and if the timer is always set and for how long. You might get away with it for a long time but it's a risk factor.

 

[lw395]

Okay, 20 amp unregulated transformer mains charger connected via a timer switch, VSR acting as link. As mains charging is infrequent, spend money on good solar panels and regulator to maintain batteries, mains charging just to top up in bad weather.

Brian

Interesting thought, but in my experience, unregulated chargers are really only any good for bulk charging batteries that are pretty low.
With the variation in voltages around europe and the voltage drops sometimes seen on marina installations, plus the use of a generator that's likely to have indifferent regualtion, I'm not sure it's what I'd choose. I think going that route would create an additional need for a separate float charger for winter use? Which would eat into the savings.
Decent transformers of any size are expensive these days, compared with switching supplies.

I think it depends on your expectations. We tend to run the fridge whenever we're in a marina. Which might badly reduce what an unregulated charger actually gets into the batteries. I inherited one last year and it will do 10A into 12V but at 14V it's more like 3A.
There are some interesting web pages regarding getting more volts out of PC PSU's.
I have a bench PSU made from a laptop supply feeding a regulator circuit. This is cheap way of getting a well regulated voltage with minimal design effort.