Comments on: What kind of 12v battery charger should I get for my boat? http://www.solar-power-battery.com/solar-powered-battery-charger/what-kind-of-12v-battery-charger-should-i-get-for-my-boat Solar Power Battery Information Here! Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:37:49 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Israel http://www.solar-power-battery.com/solar-powered-battery-charger/what-kind-of-12v-battery-charger-should-i-get-for-my-boat/comment-page-1#comment-1209 Israel Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:08:59 +0000 http://www.solar-power-battery.com/solar-powered-battery-charger/what-kind-of-12v-battery-charger-should-i-get-for-my-boat#comment-1209 you need a deep cycle charger for trickle charge/ and a regular fast charger for starting batteries, they come in combo chargers to do both batteries.<br><b>References : </b><br>NTB or Sears you need a deep cycle charger for trickle charge/ and a regular fast charger for starting batteries, they come in combo chargers to do both batteries.
References :
NTB or Sears

]]> By: MATTHEW http://www.solar-power-battery.com/solar-powered-battery-charger/what-kind-of-12v-battery-charger-should-i-get-for-my-boat/comment-page-1#comment-1208 MATTHEW Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:37:59 +0000 http://www.solar-power-battery.com/solar-powered-battery-charger/what-kind-of-12v-battery-charger-should-i-get-for-my-boat#comment-1208 What kind of boat? If you don't live on it just let the alternator charge it like you would a car. There is no need to go over board here. You can buy a solar panel to charge batteries without a charger. The best idea is to disconnect your batteries when your done using the boat. Don't think to much on this.<br><b>References : </b><br> What kind of boat? If you don’t live on it just let the alternator charge it like you would a car. There is no need to go over board here. You can buy a solar panel to charge batteries without a charger. The best idea is to disconnect your batteries when your done using the boat. Don’t think to much on this.
References :

]]> By: ricsudukai http://www.solar-power-battery.com/solar-powered-battery-charger/what-kind-of-12v-battery-charger-should-i-get-for-my-boat/comment-page-1#comment-1207 ricsudukai Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:18:59 +0000 http://www.solar-power-battery.com/solar-powered-battery-charger/what-kind-of-12v-battery-charger-should-i-get-for-my-boat#comment-1207 A quality three stage charger is the type to go for. Multiple output units are available, but they will not be designed to control other inputs such as wind/solar and alternators. These will have their own control systems, (although a solar array under 20 watts really doesn't need more than diodes to prevent reverse power bleed at night as the input is so low - more a maintenance charge) most engine fitted alternators will not lift the batteries significantly over 70% charge levels without many hours of engine running as they are not designed to. You cannot combine different structure batteries in the one circuit, such as lead acid and GEL, or AGM types. These are built very differently and the internal resistances and capabilities are far too different to be charged from the same source. You would probably not set up a system to use all types simultaneously - although there are (expensive!) ways of doing this with large control systems. Rather use the mains charger to get the batteries up to near 100%, solar to maintain and float charge at near 100% and the alternator for general power requirements on board while the engine is running with the batteries used as a fully capable back up when at anchor. Alternators are designed to supply base load power with the batteries used simply as a smoothing device, (like a capacitor) and to start the main engine - this is why a starting type battery is unsuitable for more than brief use without the engine running and certainly not for deep discharge. If you have more than one type of battery construction you will need the charger to specifically be able to deal with different types at the same time. Most units can be set for different charge regimes - but few can do different types at the same time, so this must be checked carefully. It can be simpler to install individual units for each battery in some cases, C-Tek and similar quality units are designed to be mounted permanently on the machine and are very reliable. Good luck.<br><b>References : </b><br> A quality three stage charger is the type to go for. Multiple output units are available, but they will not be designed to control other inputs such as wind/solar and alternators. These will have their own control systems, (although a solar array under 20 watts really doesn’t need more than diodes to prevent reverse power bleed at night as the input is so low – more a maintenance charge) most engine fitted alternators will not lift the batteries significantly over 70% charge levels without many hours of engine running as they are not designed to. You cannot combine different structure batteries in the one circuit, such as lead acid and GEL, or AGM types. These are built very differently and the internal resistances and capabilities are far too different to be charged from the same source.

You would probably not set up a system to use all types simultaneously – although there are (expensive!) ways of doing this with large control systems. Rather use the mains charger to get the batteries up to near 100%, solar to maintain and float charge at near 100% and the alternator for general power requirements on board while the engine is running with the batteries used as a fully capable back up when at anchor. Alternators are designed to supply base load power with the batteries used simply as a smoothing device, (like a capacitor) and to start the main engine – this is why a starting type battery is unsuitable for more than brief use without the engine running and certainly not for deep discharge.

If you have more than one type of battery construction you will need the charger to specifically be able to deal with different types at the same time. Most units can be set for different charge regimes – but few can do different types at the same time, so this must be checked carefully. It can be simpler to install individual units for each battery in some cases, C-Tek and similar quality units are designed to be mounted permanently on the machine and are very reliable.

Good luck.
References :

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