What Battery Charger to buy?

[foleyhancox]

We currently have 5 110amp leisure marine Batteries and 1x 110amp Starter Battery on our live aboard. We need to buy a charger that will be on the batteries permantly and can be plugged into a 240v plug/socket. I hope some on can recomed what would be the best charger to buy. Are the cheper chargers from halfords/maplins any good? Our 12v usage is mainly for the fridge / water pump / Lights. We do not use an inverter so majority of our electricity consumption is via the 240v.

 

Hope some one can advice us on whats the best charger to buy.

 

Thanks.

[blodger]

Item number: 130476404657

 

 

FULLY AUTOMATIC MARINE BATTERY CHARGER 12V 20A £45.99 Postage: £8.50

 

 

Suitable for all Automotive, Caravan, Marine & Leisure lead acid & gel batteries.

 

Features include

 

Fully automatic charger can be left connected so prolonging the life of your battery

 

3 stage charge cycle

 

12 Volt

 

20 amp

 

Led charge status lights

 

Electronic overload & short circuit protection

 

Robust metal case construction

 

Input voltage 240 volt 50/60hz

 

This high quality battery charger is built to last

 

If you have any enquiries or require help with this item please ask for Scott using the Business Contact Information below or use `ask the seller a question` link & i will be only too happy to help.

 

 

No connection with EBAY seller

[mrsmelly]

We currently have 5 110amp leisure marine Batteries and 1x 110amp Starter Battery on our live aboard. We need to buy a charger that will be on the batteries permantly and can be plugged into a 240v plug/socket. I hope some on can recomed what would be the best charger to buy. Are the cheper chargers from halfords/maplins any good? Our 12v usage is mainly for the fridge / water pump / Lights. We do not use an inverter so majority of our electricity consumption is via the 240v.

 

Hope some one can advice us on whats the best charger to buy.

 

Thanks.

 

Hi

Simple answer as you ask for " The best " charger to buy is get a mastervolt, thats what I have and they are second to none. As with many things you tend to get what you pay for........

[Keeping Up]

But whatever you do, don't get a cheap Halfords-type charger unless you like the sound of batteries exploding in the middle of the night.

[blodger]

The halfords just keep on pumping in and evaporating your electrolyte.

 

Any 3/4 stage charger will do you but adding marine normally adds 150.00 to the price

[foleyhancox]

Thanks for your help will have a look at them both.

[Dominic M]

Hi

Simple answer as you ask for " The best " charger to buy is get a mastervolt, thats what I have and they are second to none. As with many things you tend to get what you pay for........

I completely agree. Victron are a high quality unit as well. I'd stop with one of those two to be honest. You live aboard. It's worth paying a bit extra for good quality.

[blackrose]

Make sure that the 3 stage charger you buy has at least 2 outputs if you want to keep your domestic and your start battery on charge. A lot of the cheaper ones only have a single output.

 

If you're a live aboard you'll probabaly need at least a 20 amp charger to keep up with demand - depending on how power hungry you are on 12v.

 

I've been living aboard with a 30amp pro-digital Sterling charger for the last five and a half years and I'm completely satisfied. I'm not exactly sure what the difference is between these two (below) but I'm sure Kevin the Yachtbits supplier will be able to tell you if you give him a call. I've no connection, I just found his service good.

 

http://www.yachtbits.com/sterling_power/sterling_12v_30_amp_40_amp_and_50_amp_digital_battery_chargers.php

 

http://www.yachtbits.com/sterling_power/sterling_pro_charge_c_battery_chargers.php

 

He also sells Victron if you fancy spending a bit more.

Edited February 26, 2011 by blackrose

[SoapySmith]

See if you have a local MANBAT outlet close to you (google them). They specialise in battery's and chargers for everything from small vehicles to large commercial vehicles plus marine. They will be able to give you good advice plus good direct prices and a choice.

[gaggle]

I moor online but 4/5 times eah year i spend time on pontoons with 240v landline , i then run the engine just mainly to top battery bank up to run a 12v fridge as i can get lighting and everything else via the 240v landline , so what options are open to power fridge , battery charger such as this found up the thread http://www.yachtbits.com/sterling_power/sterling_12v_30_amp_40_amp_and_50_amp_digital_battery_chargers.php

it says 12 volt installation can be used to run stuff as it charges from 240 v

or can i get a gadget such as used on my tv which reduces the 240v to 12 v , really the only problem it is causing me is others crying about beer not being cold so another option could be a small 240v freezer box for when on landline .

any info on what is my best option please.

[by'eck]

Another recommendation, Sterling's 1250 CED - three isolated outputs 50 amp IUoU smart charger. Click for more info.

 

 

Puffer Parts were offering 20% off Sterling equipment but don't know if they are still.

[Mr Puffer]

Another recommendation, Sterling's 1250 CED - three isolated outputs 50 amp IUoU smart charger. Click for more info.

 

 

Puffer Parts were offering 20% off Sterling equipment but don't know if they are still.

Yes we are

Iain