ANY Reliable battery chargers out there???

[geoleo]

I have had Cruising sailboats for 40+ years. Need a new single bank battery charger as my pro mariner 40 amp went out. These things are junk. Also have have junky Guest, Xantrex, West Marine and a few others. Only good one I had was a Charles but don't have room for one . Recommendations and experience???

[Cap Erict3]

http://www.lamarchemfg.com/

These guys have a good name.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by geoleo

I have had Cruising sailboats for 40+ years. Need a new single bank battery charger as my pro mariner 40 amp went out. These things are junk. Also have have junky Guest, Xantrex, West Marine and a few others. Only good one I had was a Charles but don't have room for one . Recommendations and experience???

What is it about the ones you've had that makes them junk?

For instance, how old were they when you got them, how long did they last, how did they fail, etc.?

FWIW, Our PM 40-amp 3-stage charger is 14 years old, no signs of junk-hood-ness yet.

-Chris

[skipmac]

Newmar
Victron
Mastervolt
to name a few top of the line, reliable units.

You get what you pay for.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Sterling is a quality unit. I've been using them (and selling them) for years now and have not been having warranty problems with them.

[bcboomer]

I bought a Blue Sea charger based on seeing a production prototype at a local solar supplier. They had dissected one and the technician was very enthusiastic about the design and construction quality (made in USA).
All I know is that it is quiet, easy to program, and Blue Sea have an excellent reputation for quality.

[GuerrillaCamper]

This thing rocks. Two thumbs up!

[HopCar]

I'm big fan of Newmar. I've been selling them for more than twenty years and I can count the problems I've had on one hand. Their support is first rate. Who ever answers the phone will help you. My go to guy is Kap Kaplan.

Newmar Phase Three Battery Chargers

[muttskie]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

Sterling is a quality unit. I've been using them (and selling them) for years now and have not been having warranty problems with them.

+1.
I have a 50A unit that has been flawless. I also have the remote option, which is nice, as you can easily monitor what is happening with just a glance.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

Sterling is a quality unit. I've been using them (and selling them) for years now and have not been having warranty problems with them.

Originally Posted by muttskie

+1.
I have a 50A unit that has been flawless. I also have the remote option, which is nice, as you can easily monitor what is happening with just a glance.

Potentially the same as OP's ProMariner.

-Chris

[roland stockham]

If you are having failures on any of the proper marine units (as compared to ones made for RV's) then I would look at the way they are installed or you shore power supply for the problem. Poor ac input or a damp installation can be a problem.

[Kalinowski]

I installed a xantrex 3 bank unit about 14 years ago and have never had a problem.

DanK
S/V Jolly Lama
Keehi Lagoon, O'ahu

[kish]

I recommend REYA / Dolphin chargers.
Why?
I got a tour of a Volvo 70', Round the World racer, while in port prior to a leg start and noted that their 24 volt battery charger was a Reya Dolphin , a French manufacturer. homepage
On the basis, that the Volvo 70 fleet (which are one design ) used this firm and presumably had done due diligence etc., I bought one of their chargers.
Seeing what the well funded racers use can be invaluable.
No complaints.
homepage

[Akapeterc]

My original zantrex built with my boat 13 years ago still works but a new Zantrex I installed for use with 240 V only lasted 2 1/2 years and now I have a e-power which seems to be working pretty good, but it has only been 11 months

[geoleo]

I 'bit the bullet' and ordered a new Mastervolt 20AMP model. May seem small for my 500 watt house bank but I have lots of solar and the new Xantrex C-35 solar controller is desulphating the batts nicely . The SG has risen from 1.215 to 1.248 in one day !