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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
 Portable battery charger		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts
Initially Posted - 12/19/2005 :  22:05:21  Show Profile
Until I have time to install shore power, I want to leave a portable battery charger plugged into my boat's battery all the time, to keep the battery charged. I won't have to motor much at all to get out of my slip, so I need something to keep the battery up.

Can someone please recommend a specific make and model that is safe to use in this fashion?

Thanks.
Kevin Mackenzie
Former Association Secretary and Commodore
"Dogs Allowed"
'06 C250WK #881
and
"Jasmine"
'01 Maine Cat 30 #34
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Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts
Response Posted - 12/20/2005 :  07:32:21  Show Profile  Visit Turk's Homepage
I use this all winter long. It is not a full charger, but will charge slowly and maintains the level. This is safer if you want to keep it on all the time. A regular battery charger is needed if you use up 0 - 50% of the batteries power and need to charge it lets say over 3-15 hours.


http://www.jdheritage.net/DeerelyDeparted/Items/5004.asp

Edit: Ahhh but you said portable - hmmmmmm I don't have a solution for that other than bringing the battery ashore.
Edited by - Turk on 12/20/2005 07:34:20
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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts
Response Posted - 12/20/2005 :  09:03:51  Show Profile  Visit Frank Hopper's Homepage
Nice link Turk
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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts
Response Posted - 12/20/2005 :  10:26:51  Show Profile
Ah well, that is in fact what I meant when I said portable. Small, plugs into AC cord from dock, as opposed to something designed to be bolted into the boat. So, perfecto, thanks Turk.
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mday
Navigator

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197 Posts
Response Posted - 12/20/2005 :  17:34:09  Show Profile
Kevin,

If you spring for a more expensive battery, like a gel cell, they don't loose charge anywhere near the rate of the standard wet cells. I used to have a couple wet cells that I kept up with a solar panel. They eventually died, and since I was doing mostly day sailing, I replaced them with a single big gel cell and disconnected the bulky solar panel. It's been holding charge well for a year now while not using the boat for 3-4 week periods, and appears to be recharged nicely by motoring in and out of the marina. I have an electric start motor that it has plenty of energy to crank up.

I find this has greatly simplified getting underway and docking by not having to mess around with solar panels or shore power cables.

When I do need a battery charge (which hasn't been necessary since installing the gel cell), I bring up a Sears (automotive) battery charger (which I recall was recommended by a sailing magazine). It has 3 stage charging, selectable current, and selectable battery type. It's been easy to bring up to the boat and hook up. It's not even too bulky to leave on the boat ..... but I have enough clutter right now.

Max
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bill bosworth
Navigator

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USA
172 Posts
Response Posted - 12/23/2005 :  08:16:33  Show Profile
Kevin;
We keep our boat at a dock that has no shore power, I have attached a 5watt solar pannel to the top of our fuel tank locker, just fits, and wired it directly to the battery. Our battery is always fully charged.
Good luck with your new boat.
Bill
C250wb #134 Serendipity
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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts
Response Posted - 12/23/2005 :  11:55:17  Show Profile
Bill,

I live in the Pacific Northwest. I sorta remember what the sun looks like, from my trips to other places, but it is vague memory... ;-) Thanks for the thought though.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.