Which charger

nigelm

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A recently purchased Sadler 32 has shore power as far as a c/breaker , 1 85a/h engine batt & 2 domestic 85a/h batts , would like to fit a "smart charger" to look after batts while in a marina , what would the panels recommendations for a charger ? , will be looking to add solar/ wind charging at a later date .

Cheers .
 
A recently purchased Sadler 32 has shore power as far as a c/breaker , 1 85a/h engine batt & 2 domestic 85a/h batts , would like to fit a "smart charger" to look after batts while in a marina , what would the panels recommendations for a charger ? , will be looking to add solar/ wind charging at a later date .

Cheers .
kC-Tech might be an answer, small easy to clip on with no permanent connection / installation


[h=1]CTEK MXS 5.0T Battery Charger with Automatic Temperature Compensation[/h]
 
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A recently purchased Sadler 32 has shore power as far as a c/breaker , 1 85a/h engine batt & 2 domestic 85a/h batts , would like to fit a "smart charger" to look after batts while in a marina , what would the panels recommendations for a charger ? , will be looking to add solar/ wind charging at a later date .

Cheers .

Ctek chargers are compact and have a good reputation. There is a wide range to choose from, with maximum outputs from 0.8A to 25A. See the website http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/index.php

You might however prefer a charger with dual outputs but you dont say how your alternator output is split between the two battery banks. Manual, diode splitter or VSR. You might like to use a single output charger and install a VSR based system which will divided the alternator output and wind and solar outputs in due course.

There are a number permutations to consider and it would be prudent to design your ultimate system now before spending serious money on the charger

You might also consder the merits of an advanced alternator regulator or a Sterling A-B controller
 
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Ctek chargers are compact and have a good reputation. There is a wide range to choose from, with maximum outputs from 0.8A to 25A. See the website http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/index.php

You might however prefer a charger with dual outputs but you dont say how your alternator output is split between the two battery banks. Manual, diode splitter or VSR. You might like to use a single output charger and install a VSR based system which will divided the alternator output and wind and solar outputs in due course.

There are a number permutations to consider and it would be prudent to design your ultimate system now before spending serious money on the charger

You might also consder the merits of an advanced alternator regulator or a Sterling A-B controller

At the moment boat has a 1 , 2 or both switch and it has the original bukh dv20 , want to fit a a 240v ring with 2 possibly 3 sockets , the previous owner removed the charger for his new purchase so we just put one back and add the ring main .
 
A recently purchased Sadler 32 has shore power as far as a c/breaker , 1 85a/h engine batt & 2 domestic 85a/h batts , would like to fit a "smart charger" to look after batts while in a marina , what would the panels recommendations for a charger ? , will be looking to add solar/ wind charging at a later date .

Cheers .

On a cost basis, watch out for the Lidl battery charger and buy 3, one for each battery - £13 each and do all the necessary.

We have 2, one for the fridge battery and one for the engine start.
Admit to having a Sterling to charge the domestic bank [2x 140Ah(? probably a bit of supplier fiction there, but certainly 110 or thereabouts)] - too much for the Lidl unit.
 
At the moment boat has a 1 , 2 or both switch and it has the original bukh dv20 , want to fit a a 240v ring with 2 possibly 3 sockets , the previous owner removed the charger for his new purchase so we just put one back and add the ring main .

Nothing wrong with the 1 2 both switch ... about as simple as you can get to control two batteries but you might like to consider the merits of separating domestic and engine starting using separate switches and a VSR or diode splitter.

On a cost basis, watch out for the Lidl battery charger and buy 3, one for each battery - £13 each and do all the necessary.

We have 2, one for the fridge battery and one for the engine start.
Admit to having a Sterling to charge the domestic bank [2x 140Ah(? probably a bit of supplier fiction there, but certainly 110 or thereabouts)] - too much for the Lidl unit.

If cheap and cheerful is the name of the game but anyone opting for the Lidl chargers must be aware that they do not restart themselves if the power is interrupted. You could be at home thinking your batteries are on charge when they not if the power has been interrupted.

Not convinced that their long term reliability will come up to that of the Ctek chargers ........ you tend to only get what you are prepared to pay for.
A bit small too for 85Ah batteries
 
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