[C320-list] Xantrex TRUEcharge2 40-amp chargers - experiences?

[Utility Email]

Angus,

Yes. I had previously installed a Xantrex Link Pro battery monitor when I installed a sealed G24 starting battery and a Xantrex Echo charger.  It is wired to monitor ALL electricity in and out of the house bank.  Pretty cool device. 

The Link Pro battery monitor is a great device that shows energy usage in and out of the batteries.  I have read that the Victron monitor is even better in terms of setup and reliability.

These battery monitors are a cool way to see how much the solar panel puts back in when the sun is out.  Also, a couple of years ago, I changed out all of my interior lighting for LED bulbs and even installed LED strip lighting behind the port and starboard head liner to light the wood paneling along the hull in the salon.  It was really cool to see how much less current the LED light were using compared to the incandescent bulbs.

I love this stuff.  I just put whole house monitor, called a Neurio, in a second home of ours in San Diego.  It shows which appliance is using how much power, estimates my monthly electricity bill, and even shows us how much power input is generated by the solar panels on the roof of that home.  I am going to install the competing home energy monitor called, Sense, in our main Mukilteo home this fall.   All of my tinkering experience on my C320 and previous sailboats over the years lends itself to this same level of tinkering on our homes.  The Link Pro is not as interconnected as these home energy monitoring devices, but for a boat with limited power generation, storage and use, thee are extremely valuable.

Dave

S/V Emily Ann
2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
Mukilteo, Washington

David B. Swanson, P.E., S.E.
Principal, LEED AP, F. SEI
Director, Structural Engineering

Reid Middleton, Inc.
(425) 741-3800 office
(425) 741-5011 direct
(425) 508-7971 mobile

www.reidmiddleton.com

Washington | California | Hawaii | Alaska


> On Jul 17, 2016, at 7:23 AM, Angus Henderson <rathlyn1 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> All sounds good Dave. I have recently done a similar thing I terms of replacing the 4D's with GC batteries and adding solar panels except that I used a fixed panel on the davits. 
> I was wondering whether you added a digital battery monitoring system and if so what type. I have just added a Victron BMV 702 but have not got it to work properly yet. 
> Angus
> Hull#999
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Jul 17, 2016, at 4:17 AM, Utility Email <kswanson123 at comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>>> I replaced my OEM Charles 30A Charger with a new 40A Sterling Charger per recommendations by Compass Marine.  
>>> 
>>> I also replaced my 2 stock 4D batteries with 4-6V Trojan T105 Batteries along with a new flexible Solbian CP125 solar panel with Genasun MPPT charge controller.  The solar panel stows under the aft bunk when I am not using it and attaches to the top of our bimini with Tenax fasteners when we deploy it.  I couldn't be happier.  We now have 450Ah of batteries, a very fast and smart charger, and on a sunny day, our single 125W panel keeps up with our main refrigerator.  We can stay away from a marina plug in for weeks now!  I’ll post some pictures of our new charger, battery and solar panel setup in my owners photos directory on the C320IA website.
>>> 
>>> Dave
>>> 
>>> S/V Emily Ann
>>> 2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
>>> Mukilteo, Washington
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Jul 1, 2016, at 3:05 PM, Jon Vez <Jonvez at comcast.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Bruce,
>>>> The original Xantrex were great chargers and the older ones are probably still ticking. However, several years ago they were bought and their quality and customer service went downhill. I think that's why you see the mix of terrible reviews and those that are happy with them. I put one of the original Xantrex on my 320 and it was awesome.
>>>> My current boat has a Charles and I don't particularly care for it for a few reasons--no equalization option, to change battery chemistry settings you have to remove the unit as they are on the back and use dip switches. Finally no battery temp sensing. The temp is internally regulated on the charger.
>>>> The factory has since switched to the Pronautic, which along with Sterling would be my choices.
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>> 
>>>>> On Jul 1, 2016, at 11:24 AM, B. Stumpp <bstumpp at comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> I replaced my working Guest 2-stage charger with a new Xantrex 3-stage 40
>>>>> amp charger and the remote panel.  After only four years the Xantrex just
>>>>> failed.  The Xantrex tech said these cannot be repaired.  Although I was not
>>>>> happy with only getting four years out of the charger, a friend has one that
>>>>> so far has lasted 10 years.  So I decided to get another Xantrex since it
>>>>> should be a relatively easy replacement and I already had the remote panel
>>>>> for the charger.  That was until I started reading reviews of the charger on
>>>>> Westmarine.com.they are not stellar.  
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> So, before looking for alternatives I would like to hear the experiences -
>>>>> positive and negative - of others on this forum who have installed a Xantrex
>>>>> charger.  Anyone?   
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Bruce Stumpp
>>>>> 
>>>>> Adventure, #647
>>>>> 
>>>>> Frog Mortar Creek, Maryland        
>>