Battery Charger?

[RobD527]

I am shopping for a new charger and wow so many choices. Can anyone recommend a decent charger? I have 4 group 31 lead-acid batteries for my house bank and 200 watts of solar.

[ontherocks83]

These come highly recommended

https://shop.marinehowto.com/product...ttery-chargers

available in 10a - 60amp

[ranger58sb]

And ProMariner chargers are (usually? always?) the same as Sterling products, seem to be popular enough.

-Chris

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

And ProMariner chargers are (usually? always?) the same as Sterling products, seem to be popular enough.

-Chris

I was unaware of that. I was going to go with promariner but found Maine sails sterling to be $80 or $90 cheaper

[john61ct]

Both vendors have multiple lines, not shared.

Sterling Power ProCharge Ultra and ProMariner Pronautic P lines were "co-developed" and share motherboards.

[Bill O]

We've had good luck w/Iota chargers especially for FLA batteries. Its a fairly good smart charger at a reasonable price point.
A 55 amp charger may be light for your ~400Ah house bank, but a significant price difference between the Iota 55 (~$150) and ProMariner Pronautic P 50amp (~$440).
With enough solar, wind and hydro power coming we almost never need to use the charger (ymmv), so how much do you really need a expensive one anyway.

Bill O.

[john61ct]

If the bank is FLA will not accept much over 50A, not for long anyway.

Big advantage of the two discussed above is user-custom setpoint adjustability, letting you transition to whatever future batt chemistry without replacing gear.

[RobD527]

Originally Posted by Bill O

We've had good luck w/Iota chargers especially for FLA batteries. Its a fairly good smart charger at a reasonable price point.
A 55 amp charger may be light for your ~400Ah house bank, but a significant price difference between the Iota 55 (~$150) and ProMariner Pronautic P 50amp (~$440).
With enough solar, wind and hydro power coming we almost never need to use the charger (ymmv), so how much do you really need a expensive one anyway.

Bill O.

I agree I have not had a charger on the boat for the 2 years that I have owned it. The only reason I am thinking of getting one now is that I just installed electric at my private dock so now it will be easy to just plug it in. I think I will go with the iota 55 thanks

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by john61ct

If the bank is FLA will not accept much over 50A, not for long anyway.

Big advantage of the two discussed above is user-custom setpoint adjustability, letting you transition to whatever future batt chemistry without replacing gear.

Assumed it would be used for bulk or equalization charging in combination w/the primary charging as solar on the OP's boat. Depending on the solar controller, should have adjustable on the controller to set better end points if needed.


Not to digress too much, but think if one changed battery chemistry (e.g. lithium), a new shore powered charger would be a drop in the bucket in comparison to the battery cost. Also by then, there may be better chargers out there then you're stuck w/old technology. It's kind of a crap shoot w/things changing so rapidly. Also w/the adjustable set points on the solar controller, should be covered there for the battery change.


Bill O.

[john61ct]

Just pointing out the feature.

I won't use any charge source without it personally.

[zemurray]

I recently picked up a Sterling Pro Charge ultra from the Marinehowto website. Fantastic charger, great service, and a great price. I wouldn’t look anywhere else.