[C320-list] Battery Charging

[Chris Burti]

I believe that the original OEM Pro Mariner on my boat (the one with the bad
rap) was a two stage charger. I replaced it with a three stage one and it
worked great until lightning got it. I then replaced it with the xantrex 20.

On Feb 12, 2008 1:16 AM, <crashley at gte.net> wrote:

> Warren,
>
> Thanks for the input. The batteries are in great shape since I just got 2
> brand new 4D AGM batteries connected as a 400 AHr house battery and want
> to
> make sure I'm not abusing them. The old flooded ones were only about 5+
> years old and one of them had cell go bad. Maybe I could have recovered it
> but I hated having to add water anyway. I had those on float charge
> continously for about 3.5 years off and on as described below.
>
> I've heard people say that you should NOT keep batteries on float charge
> but
> the literature seems to indicate otherwise for long term (i.e., weeks at a
> time) storage. I use the boat quite regularly so they will go off the
> charger for those periods. I would still like to know more about the
> alleged
> Pro Mariner problem. I want to get an inverter anyway so I'm thinking
> about
> going for a Xantrex Freedom 2000 inverter/charger at some point.
>
> CRA
> Rosebud #882
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Warren Updike" <wupdike at hotmail.com>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 7:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Charging
>
>
> >A "properly operating" 3-stage charger should not cause a problem to your
> >batteries.  The operative word here is "properly."  Can't speak for the
> Pro
> >Mariner in terms of it's record.  However, remember it is a 'system' and
> >things function in an inter-related fashion.
> >
> > If your batteries are not in good shape, that is to say they won't
> accept
> > a full charge, the charger may never go into float mode and continue to
> > push a higher voltage.  The result is an over charge that boils away the
> > water while never getting the battery up to full charge.  Have your
> > batteries tested with a load tester by someone familiar with it's use.
> > It's the best way to determine the condition of the batteries.  I'm sure
> > many people have cursed their charger when the problem lies with the
> > batteries.
> >
> > Warren & Pattie Updike
> > C320, #62, 1994, "Warr De Mar"
> > Frog Mortar Creek, Middle River
> > Chesapeake Bay
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <crashley at gte.net>
> > To: <C320-list at catalina320.com>
> > Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 6:06 AM
> > Subject: [C320-list] Battery Charging
> >
> >
> > I've heard that one should not keep boat batteries on charge for
> extended
> > periods. That is, when docked in my slip (which is most of the time),
> > should I leave the charger on continuously or leave it off and only
> charge
> > once a month (or so)? The charger is a 3 step type which ends up in
> > "float" mode at about 13.5 volts. Also, the charge is a Pro Mariner 1230
> > which seems to have a bad reputation. Any advice?
> >
> > Rosebud
> > #882
> >
> >
>
>
>


-- 
Chris Burti
Farmville, NC