Float Voltage Drop From 13.8 to 13.0

[Azul]

Depending on the size of your battery bank and the amount of energy usage you plan when you leave the dock, your batteries will probably like being maintained/topped off by a moderate sized (80W on up) solar panel with a charge controller like the reasonably priced Morningstar TS-45, instead of trying to keep them charged with your engine alternator or a generator. I don't have to think about my batteries much even though I have a refrigerator, they are topped off by 10 a.m. most days.

The TS-45 allows you to customize your absorption voltage etc.

I've read Maine Sail's articles on solar systems and monitors, they are excellent. He even tells you whether your batteries should be oriented transversely or longitudinally. Great stuff.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

On a positive note, here's the NextGen, the new Crab on the block, Master Gaius Crab, of Chicago, on day one of his journey:

Though your picture did not show up on my screen I still wish to congratulate you on your grandchild. Good luck with your new charger.

[Blue Crab]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the thoughts. As long as I'm going into the system, may as well add some solar now. Never know when someone will steal yer wind generator. Talking last night with a welder pal about building a multipurpose bracket.

Other than whatever damage the batts have endured already, I don't mind doing this upgrade now. Already have a small panel to feed an elec motor for dink for when my outboard dies or disappears. Thanks for the brand names mentioned also; don't want to reinvent the wheel. The charger that Maine Sail did the super pictorial on is also the one recommended by Bill, above. The unit is also all over the net, and for cheaper than I can buy through my wholesale supplier.

Sorry you can't see the pic of the new crab, Therapy. I just posted it for fun as the 2 hour old kid has kind of a grimace, and appears to be thinking: "WTF?"

Who knows what's next, eh?

[conachair]

Originally Posted by btrayfors

Replace it with either a Sterling or ProMariner Ultra charger

Bill

Another vote for the sterling pro charge ultra, I've just fitted one.
Slight drift but might be of interest here, not in the (brief ) instructions , but to manually trigger an equalisation cycle, first set to lead acid, then go back into change battery type and you can scroll past custom into factory reset then the equalisation led will flash, press both up and down buttons for a few seconds and the equalisation cycle will start. Haven't figured out how to stop without unplugging yet.

Sent from my SGP312 using Tapatalk

[Blue Crab]

[QUOTE=conachair;1493526]Another vote for the sterling pro charge ultra, I've just fitted one.
Slight drift but might be of interest here, not in the (brief ) instructions , but to manually trigger an equalisation cycle, first set to lead acid, then go back into change battery type and you can scroll past custom into factory reset then the equalisation led will flash, press both up and down buttons for a few seconds and the equalisation cycle will start. Haven't figured out how to stop without unplugging yet. /QUOTE]

Well, figure it out as soon as possible, please. I am complexity-challenged. Quite a price differential from Gen2 to Gen3. I figure for the money, Gen3, ought to know when == is required. Guess not.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

Well, figure it out as soon as possible, please. I am complexity-challenged. Quite a price differential from Gen2 to Gen3. I figure for the money, Gen3, ought to know when == is required. Guess not.

There's an auto battery maintenance cycle built in which varies with battery type setting, not sure just how that works yet. I like being able to do it manually, you should be able to reduce the amps for equalising as well in a power setting, hopefully, haven't tried that yet either.

Sent from my SGP312 using Tapatalk

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

Thanks guys. Appreciate the thoughts. As long as I'm going into the system, may as well add some solar now. Never know when someone will steal yer wind generator. Talking last night with a welder pal about building a multipurpose bracket.

Other than whatever damage the batts have endured already, I don't mind doing this upgrade now. Already have a small panel to feed an elec motor for dink for when my outboard dies or disappears. Thanks for the brand names mentioned also; don't want to reinvent the wheel. The charger that Maine Sail did the super pictorial on is also the one recommended by Bill, above. The unit is also all over the net, and for cheaper than I can buy through my wholesale supplier.

Sorry you can't see the pic of the new crab, Therapy. I just posted it for fun as the 2 hour old kid has kind of a grimace, and appears to be thinking: "WTF?"

Who knows what's next, eh?

Just be sure when looking at the ProMariner Pronautic P that it is a Pronautic "P". It should look identical to the Sterling PCU. There are other "Pronautic" chargers that are NOT the "P".....

Thes is the OLD Pronautic. It is NOWHERE near the same charger as the ProNautic P... Do not buy this model..



This is the Pronautic "P", do buy this mode or the Sterling PCU..


The only difference between the early Pronautic P's and later ones is the CEC compliance (California Energy Compliance) with an "energy saver mode".

If you can get a better deal on a non-CEC model buy it!

[btrayfors]

.... and don't worry about reducing the current in the equalization mode.

The batteries themselves will determine maximum current they'll accept at any voltage and SOC level. You don't have to limit the current, just the voltage.

Bill

[Blue Crab]

Ooooohhhhh. Thanks again. That would have been an easy mistake to make.

Am ordering today as pictured above. This gear looks like I can install it but I have a local tech pal on standby who works for beer. A happy consequence is moving the charger out of the bilge where it surely will get wet, and up near the other elec installs. Finally sent my AP off to the factory for repair ... I am almost cooking with gas. I say almost as I'm using alcohol.