Inverter Charger Conundrum

[dkall]

I'm now cruising. My Prosine is acting up. Posted here a couple of months ago. Got a funny error message. Another boat left dock the dock and then the charger worked. Inverter works and works now.

Now I'm in Nanny Cay, BVI. Charger has the same error message.

I'm not interersted in putting up with this. Not real found of Xantrex. But my issues are: If I buy a Prosine 2 again it's a drop in replacement, very little work to structure and wiring. Pull out, re attach wires, then go. But it will be Xantrex all over again. Don't know if the "new" prosines are better then the old. Don't know if the new software is in the panel. Maybe I could just replace the remote panel.

But; if I get a new different charger from a company that supports it products and has a solid rep for their products, like Outback or Vectron then maybe I'll never (I know - never say never) have to deal with this issue again.

However; getting a different charger inverter then means a bigger change in the setup. And should I then separate the two so there isn't one unit in full control. Also if I get a different Charger / Inverter then I have a different panel to install.

Now generally I wouldn't much worry about any of the above except now I'm out cruising and working on the boat takes 5 times longer then when you're at "home" and finding some of the things one needs like wood that will do the job right cost 2 times as much.

As I'm in a classic "approach avoidance" or prisoner delima game.

All advise is worth something, the more so if you've been cruising and have had anything similar happen. I've got two more days of Internet Access before we move but I'll be back should someone spend to much time thinking on my conundrum.

I'm thinking when I return the states for a couple of weeks this spring I'll get the item and then bring it back with me.

Thanks ahead of time,
Fair Winds

[goboatingnow]

I had prosine, ( The old ones) I was not pleased with it to say the least.

[Rick]

I've had to deal with Prosine units on various boats and am also not impressed with them. Last month I installed a Magnum sine inverter/charger with optional battery monitor with temperature sensing and remote. I overloaded the inverter several times and it seems to be bulletproof.

I like that the remote allows one to set up the charger for elevated acceptance voltages using AGM batteries (you want this feature if you have a monitor to control the charger function for best life with the AGMs).

My only complaint is that the remote was obviously programmed by an engineeer who did not pay sufficient attention to user friendly operation. Nonetheless, the manual works in this regard (no, without the manual the various details are not intuitive).

[CharlieJ]

My choices would be Victron or Magnum. Victron is significantly more flexible in establishing a charging algorithm that fits your batteries. Victron is able to load share with shore power or generator power, although this feature is contrary to current ABYC Standards. Acceptance charge time is adaptive with no intervention.

Magnum is bulletproof however they lack some of the features above and the acceptance time is set as a function of bank size, which may, or may not be sufficient.

Technical service for both is worlds better than brand X.

You might want to re-post this in the Electrical Forum for a bit more visibility.

Best regards,
Charlie

[dkall]

Thanks, I did post it there now.

I'm wondering if the work to replace with a different would be better then the risk of replacing with the same.

[Zanshin]

My boat is just a couple of feet from you (it is on the hard). I got a Victron inverter/charger and am very happy with it. I don't know where you might be heading next but St. Martin and Island Waterworld or Budget Marine or Electec is your best bet (Electec carries the full Mastervolt and Victron lines). I believe the extra price is worth it. I have some pictures at Victron Inverter