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**Boracay** · 22-01-2012, 00:03

Most battery chargers of more than 15A seem to go for an arm and a leg, but there have been a couple of 40A ones on Ebay lately for about the $100 mark.

Anyone have any experience of these? Worth the risk?

mitiempo · 23-01-2012, 15:13

Can you be more specific, like the brand or a link?

djmarchand · 23-01-2012, 17:30

Chinese electrical suppliers who build chargers for Guest, Truecharge and other household names in the marine business are selling their wares more directly. Some can be good, others are POS. There is really no way to know which is which.

Davod

**Boracay** · 23-01-2012, 18:19

This is the one I'm considering.

mitiempo · 23-01-2012, 18:30

A well designed marine charger has total isolation of the AC side from the DC side. Corrosion can result if this complete isolation doesn't exist. Does this one?

**David M** · 23-01-2012, 18:41

Is it a three stage charger?

goboatingnow · 23-01-2012, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by David M

Is it a three stage charger?

This seems to be an inverter charger is it ?

Dave

**David M** · 23-01-2012, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

This seems to be an inverter charger is it ?

Dave

It's got a plug and it says charger on the label.

Stu Jackson · 23-01-2012, 19:02

Not only "Is it a 3 stage or phase charger?" but is it a four stage charger, too? The fourth phase is an equalization stage, which you will need for wet cells if you have that battery chemistry on your boat, you didn't say.

callmecrazy · 23-01-2012, 19:36

You can get an Iota (with iq4 regulator) anywhere from 20-65amps for around $150 on ebay.

Good name, proven reliability, proper charging, etc...

**David M** · 23-01-2012, 19:42

I think it's suspect. Some things are too good to be true. If it turns out to be cheap Chinese junk made from the cheapest materials possible from questionable parts then make sure you can return it. You don't want to risk destroying a battery or two or a power tool or AC appliance from a device that costs less than a battery.

**Boracay** · 24-01-2012, 13:11

Sadly the Iota models out of the USA are for a maximum of 132 volts.

hellosailor · 24-01-2012, 15:11

boracay, whether it is even worth looking at depends on the charge profiles it uses. And since their web page won't load just now, I'd say "cheapass" and pass on it.

Therapy · 24-01-2012, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellosailor

boracay, whether it is even worth looking at depends on the charge profiles it uses. And since their web page won't load just now, I'd say "cheapass" and pass on it.

It loads for me but there are no details on the page.