[C320-list] Battery charger selection
Warren Updike
wupdike at hotmail.com
Mon Nov 29 15:07:34 PST 2010
What you say is true. It's just that kind of policy that contributed to
putting good on-line vendors like the original sailnet owners and JackRabbit
Marine out of business. People would shop their sites and use their services
then go to WM and get the same price.
This offends me for two reasons: 1) WM ends up benefiting from the efforts
of others with no cost to themselves; and, 2) WM charges exorbitant prices
for most things on their shelves. Their policy of price-matching is an
admission that you can do better elsewhere. If everyone followed this
practice, there would be no low-end suppliers out there and we will all be
paying higher prices.
I received real support from JackRabbit Marine Systems (or whatever their
name;) but, they went out of business, partly, because they gave valuable
advice without charge expecting people would purchase from them. Boo-hoo for
them, that's business you say? How would you like to have nothing but
high-priced vendors like WM to buy from?
Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr de Mar"
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Ferguson [mailto:coralman at bellsouth.net]
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2010 8:13 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery charger selection
RonnieWest Marine will usually match another sellers price. I take in prices
from online sellers and my local store matches it every time.MichaelNauti
Clew 169
--- On Mon, 11/29/10, Ronniew326 at aol.com <Ronniew326 at aol.com> wrote:
From: Ronniew326 at aol.com <Ronniew326 at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery charger selection
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Date: Monday, November 29, 2010, 7:51 AM
This thread on battery chargers is timely for me in as much as my original
Pro Mariner (14 years old now) is starting to make odd noises and is likely
on it's last legs. I researched the 40 amp Xantrex on line at several
vendors last week and the Hodgesmarine price, especially with the remote
and
battery temp device that comes with it, is a very good deal.
A few questions however: (1) Is Hodges a reputable dealer as far as we
know (I hate putting my credit card info out on a site I'm not familiar
with)? (2) Is it better to go with the 40 amp than the 20? (I'm plugged
into
shore power all the time except when out sailing). and (3), how difficult
should I expect it to be to install the unit, the remote and the battery
temp.
sensor? Any feedback on this subject will be greatly appreciated.
Ronnie Williams
C-320 # 326
In a message dated 11/23/2010 1:12:55 A.M. Central Standard Time,
kirk.mccullough at telus.net writes:
Hey Warren, you are going to love the Xantrex. I installed the 20 Amp
model
about 3 years ago and it's so much better than the Newmar HDM 50. I don't
think you'll get much for yours, mine is sitting in my garage, I'll
probably
recycle it soon.
You got a great price on that 40 Amp Xantrex too, as I recall I paid that
much for the 20 amp.
Kirk
Boomerang #124 Perkins
-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
Sent: 21 November 2010 05:01
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Battery charger selection
I've finally done it. I chose a new charger. My choice was for the
Xantrex
TrueCharge 2 40A which I bought from Hodgesmarine.com for $285, delivered.
This is a promotion package running through Dec 10, that includes a remote
panel and temp probe. Such a deal.
My first choice would have been the Newmar PT charger that was highly rated
by PS. At more than twice the price of the Xantrex, it is out of my range
especially since I have to get also two new batteries.
The other charger I considered is the IOTA Engineering DLS series. At $161
(ebay) it is a serious contender. Specs are strong when compared with the
TrueCharge 2. Drawbacks are: not UL Marine Rated (but is sealed and
protected from moisture;) doesn't offer an external temp probe (my
batteries
are in a compartment separate from the batteries;) and, it doesn't offer
separate settings for wet/get/agm batteries (I hope my next set will be
AGM.) IOTA was quick to respond to my inquiry and impressed me as a
company
with good engineering and support.
So, now I have a Newmar HDM-50 for sale. This is a ferro-resonant, 50A
charger (see manual (www.newmarpower.com/pdf/Manual-HDM.pdf) It is not a
three-stage "Smart" charger; but provides bulk and absorption stages.
There
is nothing wrong with it. It works well. Probably not the best unit for
a
live-aboard or if you leave a refer on all the time. However, for a fast
recharge at the dock, it is a great unit. I'd like to get $100 for it;
but,
for this list a best offer will do it.
Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr de Mar"
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