A good charge controller is an important part of
keeling your batteries alive. I have not had much
luck in that area. My charger died, then I fixed it,
then it died, then it came back to life, then the controller
died. It has been frustrating to me. I'm thinking about
getting a second charger, just to keep the batteries
topped off if the first one dies again.

Scout wrote:
"Bart" wrote in message
oups.com...
Good link on batteries. Discusses AGM vs Gel, vs Flooded
batteries.

http://www.vonwentzel.net/Battery/

I purchased 2 Optima Blue Tops (dual purpose - starting and deep cycle) for
my boat. The manuf. stresses the need to manage the charging voltage to a
max of 13.8 with a max current flow of 1 amp. I have 2 trickle chargers I
bought for my bikes, but I try to follow spec recs. at almost any cost. Any
tips on quality chargers that can be user regulated?
Scout

"Bart" wrote
|A good charge controller is an important part of
| keeling your batteries alive. I have not had much
| luck in that area. My charger died, then I fixed it,
| then it died, then it came back to life, then the controller
| died. It has been frustrating to me. I'm thinking about
| getting a second charger, just to keep the batteries
| topped off if the first one dies again.


Duh! Forget the charge controllers. Get one of those little suction thingies that floats
balls. It tells you specific gravity on each cell in the battery. You can easily tell if you have
a bad cell. If all the cells are good then the whole battery is good. If one is bad then the whole
battery is done, finished, kaput. People make it way too complicated. I don't even have a battery
but I know more about them than you do. So sad! I'm a girl. Your a man. Your a duh case.

Cheers.
Ellen

Bart wrote:
A good charge controller is an important part of
keeling your batteries alive. I have not had much
luck in that area. My charger died, then I fixed it,
then it died, then it came back to life, then the controller
died. It has been frustrating to me. I'm thinking about
getting a second charger, just to keep the batteries
topped off if the first one dies again.

I've had a Newmar Consti-volt/ charger. It can keep up to 3 battery
banks charged at a time.
Heavy duty splash proof bulkhead mounted stainless steel case. Haven't
had a problem with it in 10 yrs.. I think it cost around 700-800

http://www.nonstopyacht.com/static/b...DPT&2D20CE.htm

Joe



Scout wrote:
"Bart" wrote in message
oups.com...
Good link on batteries. Discusses AGM vs Gel, vs Flooded
batteries.

http://www.vonwentzel.net/Battery/

I purchased 2 Optima Blue Tops (dual purpose - starting and deep cycle) for
my boat. The manuf. stresses the need to manage the charging voltage to a
max of 13.8 with a max current flow of 1 amp. I have 2 trickle chargers I
bought for my bikes, but I try to follow spec recs. at almost any cost. Any
tips on quality chargers that can be user regulated?
Scout

"Joe" wrote in message
ups.com...

I've had a Newmar Consti-volt/ charger. It can keep up
to 3 battery
banks charged at a time.
Heavy duty splash proof bulkhead mounted stainless steel
case. Haven't
had a problem with it in 10 yrs.. I think it cost around
700-800


http://www.nonstopyacht.com/static/b...ion/Product/Vi
ew/NEWM&2DPT&2D20CE.htm


I'm guessing you didn't buy that at Wal Mart.

Scotty

Scotty wrote:
"Joe" wrote in message
ups.com...

I've had a Newmar Consti-volt/ charger. It can keep up
to 3 battery
banks charged at a time.
Heavy duty splash proof bulkhead mounted stainless steel
case. Haven't
had a problem with it in 10 yrs.. I think it cost around
700-800


http://www.nonstopyacht.com/static/b...ion/Product/Vi
ew/NEWM&2DPT&2D20CE.htm


I'm guessing you didn't buy that at Wal Mart.

No...I wanted to do that right the first time. Also used all new Newmar
breaker panels on the boat. They are expensive but you pay for what you
get.

Joe



Scotty

"Joe" wrote in message

Scotty wrote:

I'm guessing you didn't buy that at Wal Mart.

No...I wanted to do that right the first time. Also used all new Newmar
breaker panels on the boat. They are expensive but you pay for what you
get.

Way to go Joe..... I had my charger built by students in an electronics
class, my buddy is the instructor. Class project. I bought the
parts/case/cables. Flawless!

I guess those $29.99 Wal-Mart chargers are okay if you have a tiny boat with
an outboard and rarely sail.

CM-

Capt.Mooron wrote:
"Joe" wrote in message

Scotty wrote:

I'm guessing you didn't buy that at Wal Mart.

No...I wanted to do that right the first time. Also used all new Newmar
breaker panels on the boat. They are expensive but you pay for what you
get.

Way to go Joe..... I had my charger built by students in an electronics
class, my buddy is the instructor. Class project. I bought the
parts/case/cables. Flawless!

Sounds like the perfect option. Some things you just do not want to go
cheap.
I even tried the RV stove route...What a mistake. Went thru 2 in 6 yrs
and finally paid the price for a force 10. Man I wish I did it right to
begin with.



I guess those $29.99 Wal-Mart chargers are okay if you have a tiny boat with
an outboard and rarely sail.

I would not go that route.

Joe


CM-