[C320-list] Battery Charging

[crashley at gte.net]

Chris,

Actually the previous owner of Rosebud said that the original charger had 
failed and been replaced also. Perhaps it was the same 2 stage unit. I'm not 
sure if he replaced the batteries.

Thanks,
CRA
Rosebud #882


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Burti" <clburti at gmail.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:37 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Charging


>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
>