Battery Charger- who likes what?

[Steam Flyer]

I have to install a new battery charger. When we bought our boat last fall, it had a ferro-resonant charger which must have been a holdover from the original owner's previous boat. I replaced that with a ProMariner two-bank charger which burnt out, killing both battery banks.

The local expert whose opinion I have the most respect for recommends MasterVolt and I can order one of those thru West Marine locally. However I may be able to get a credit from the supplier (a generally well-regarded internet outfitter) and they don't sell MasterVolt but they do sell a Newmar which look like a good unit.

I also have to replace the batteries but I already have a plan for that.

Thanks all-
Doug 31TE 'Sugar Magnolia'

[DougSea]

Hey Doug,

I am blanking out on what we have on Sonny IV. I replaced the original that burned out after a storm a few years ago. The new unit works well - I'll have to check when I get on the boat next. (The paperwork is all there)

I would ask how you use your boat/batteries and if you have a generator. That can change the formula for just how big a charger you need and want. We occasionally do overnights on the hook and avoid running the generator. I parallel all of the batteries and we run fans, lights, stereo, refrigerator for fairly long periods. When the bank is run down I fire up the generator (battery is isolated!!) and want the batteries charged quickly. So our charger is fairly robust.

Food for thought!

Best.

[Nancy]

Doug, what caused the ProMariner battery charger to burn out when not even a year old? I think I'd want to know the answer to that question before moving forward.

We've been very happy with the ProMariner we bought four years ago. Much prefer it over the highly-recommended Charles that we had on our previous boat. The PM has a lot more intelligence built in, and the display is very informative.

[Jeremyvmd]

I have a promariner on the cat boat that I love. The Albin came witha Charles marine which is ok. If I were changing it out I would get a pro matiner as the other one I have is great.

[tego]

My 3-bank Pro-mariner has been doing yeomans duty for three years now. Love it. Ben

[Tree]

Sterling Power for me

http://sterling-power.com/collections/m ... arge-ultra Only went for the 10amp as i don't use the boat for long enough off charge, typically one day at a time

[djpeewee]

I agree with the group that Promariner chargers are fantastic. I have one available that was used for one season on my old boat. I believe it is the 2 bank 30 amp model.

Now would be a good time to assess your needs as mentioned above. Do you already have an inverter, or want one? Mastervolt makes some really good combo charger inverter models. We have the 2500 watt / 100 amp model that has been rock solid: http://www.mastervolt.com/products/mass ... 100-120-v/

As also mentioned, it really depends on your battery setup as well. We run 2x 4D batteries with a group 23 reserve for emergencies. The Mastervolt has no problems with these.