[C320-list] Trickle Charger

[Dean Vermeire]

I'm joining a little late on the conversation, so forgive me if anyone 
else has already suggested this.  Have you considered a solar charger?

I bought a small (about 12" x 5") solar panel battery charger that has 
done a pretty good job.  I just set it inside one of the side windows 
(assuming the boat cover does not cover the window).  It takes really 
very little sunlight to make it go.  There is a little green LED that 
lights up when it has enough sunlight.  If nothing else, you could get 
three of them and charge your batteries separately for the winter.

Just a thought.

Dean Vermeire
Moonstruck II (#847)

On 11/21/2012 8:01 AM, resloat wrote:
> Joe-Here in northern Illinois, my marina prohibits any unattended 
> electrical hook ups when stored on the tarmac.  Their reason is that 
> something could go wrong and take down a bunch of boats.  Check to see 
> if that is an issue before considering an unattended trickle charger.
>
> I have 12 seasons on my boat and on a second set of 2 4D batteries.  
> The drill is to equalize them in Oct before haul out and make sure 
> they are fully charged when in the slip and check them over the winter 
> once a month. I disconnect the positives from each battery.  In the 
> spring before launch I bring my portable charger to the boat and put a 
> touch up charge on the batteries. They have stayed over 12 volts over 
> all winters and the charger only works about 15 minutes on each 
> battery before it indicates the batteries are maxed out.  The charged 
> is not a high amperage one so the batteries are in good shape before 
> topping them off.
>
> During the sailing season I am at a slip with 24/7 power and a Xantrex 
> 20 A charger which replaced the original ProMariner a few years ago. 
> The batteries don't get big discharge cycles except for a occasional 
> cruise.
>
> Bob Sloat
> Savannah 894 (2002)
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph R Aberdale" 
> <summerwind3 at comcast.net>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:59 AM
> Subject: [C320-list] Trickle Charger
>
>
> I have 3 starter batteries that I think I should leave on a trickle 
> charger until May, unless anyone has a better idea as to how to best 
> maintain them. Does anyone know of a good trickle charger that can 
> charge 3 batteries simultaneously?
>
> Thank you.  Your help is appreciated.
>
> Joe Aberdale
> #908
>
>
>