Catalina - Capri - 25s International Assocaition Logo(2006)  
Assn Members Area · Join
h.jpg Home.
a.jpg Association Forum
s.jpg Ships Store
c.jpg Cruising
r.jpg Racing
t.jpg Technical Tips
g.jpg Photo Gallery - New
o.jpg Boat Search - Updated
m.jpg Manuals & Brochures
3rdrpt.jpg Swap Meet
l.jpg Links
f.jpg Officer Flag Line & Staff
b.jpg Bylaws & Constitution
 
1.jpg Members Area
1.jpg Join the Association
 
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.
 
Association Forum
Association Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Forum Users | Search | FAQ
Username:
 Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 "Smart" Battery Chargers?		  New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

Jeff McK
Captain

Member Avatar

USA
389 Posts
Initially Posted - 11/08/2004 :  19:52:26  Show Profile
I'm getting ready to pull my battery for the winter, and would appreciate some advice for maintaining it during the off-season.

I've heard about using "smart battery chargers" to keep the cells in peak condition without a risk of boil-over or cooking the cells. Unfortunately, I could not find anything in the archives with this title, and a web search has produced more info than I can sort out.

Does anyone have advice as to a preferred brand & specifications I should look for in a unit?

Still in the water...
Jeff McK
Formerly Event Horizon (sold)
C250 WK #805
Edited by - on

kbq
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
99 Posts
Response Posted - 11/08/2004 :  20:18:15  Show Profile
Jeff -

A low amp charger (1 to 1.5 amps) can be left connected full time. Check the Schumacher SE112S from Kragen - $27.00. Peak makes "smart chargers"; see the Peak PKC086 for about $30 at Kragen. West Marine has a couple of different models - check [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=145312&catalogId=10001&classNum=683&subdeptNum=544&storeNum=9"]WM Chargers[/url] .

Good luck!


Kevin
"wait for me"
250wk
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts
Response Posted - 11/08/2004 :  20:29:07  Show Profile
I use 1.5 amp 'permanent mount' (it has a mounting bracket) "Marine Smart Charger" from Schumacher... About $25 at Kragen. Use it year round with my shorepower connection.
No complaints over the last 1-1/2 years of service.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 11/08/2004 :  22:15:19  Show Profile
I hook mine up to a little Guest 2606 multi-stage portable unit and leave it there all winter. It's the battery that came with the boat four years ago--no idea how old it is, but it's been perfect each year.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts
Response Posted - 11/09/2004 :  07:23:34  Show Profile  Visit Frank Hopper's Homepage
Mine stay hooked up to my 2 battery Guest charger at all times. The charger is connected to the Guest battery switch, it is handier than trying to connect it to the batteries themselves.
Edited by - Frank Hopper on 11/09/2004 07:24:53
Go to Top of Page

Jeff McK
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
389 Posts
Response Posted - 11/10/2004 :  13:20:38  Show Profile
Frank,

Where in your boat is that photo taken? I'm guessing back under the cockpit seating in the aft berth somewhere.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts
Response Posted - 11/10/2004 :  14:19:38  Show Profile  Visit Frank Hopper's Homepage
I have a 25, it is in the port sail locker. Above it is the back of the power wall so the wires simply connect to the feeds of the battery switch. I wanted it outside of the cabin because of the heat it generates.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1180 Posts
Response Posted - 11/10/2004 :  17:14:38  Show Profile
If I may be so bold to ask, why is it necessary to pull the battery out?
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

oldsalt
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
578 Posts
Response Posted - 11/10/2004 :  17:20:29  Show Profile
Left unchargerd for long periods, batteries will self discharge and the plates will become sulfated, ruining the battery. It's also harmful to allow a battery to freeze up which it might do when the charge is low since the acid solution becomes less concentrated due to discharge.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1016 Posts
Response Posted - 11/10/2004 :  17:53:07  Show Profile
Don't they make a mini-solar-panel smart charger that would allow one to leave the battery on the boat?
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts
Response Posted - 11/10/2004 :  20:24:18  Show Profile  Visit Frank Hopper's Homepage
I leave mine in and charging all winter. That is what a smart charger should be able to do for you. I am in my boat on the hard at least once a week.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Jeff McK
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
389 Posts
Response Posted - 11/10/2004 :  21:23:46  Show Profile
I'm planning on pulling it mostly for the reason that I have not had time to set up a waterproof shoreline power connection & onboard charging system yet and don't want to come back to a dead battery in the spring. (Chesapeake Bay)

Lightnup: I like the concept of a solar charger, but recall something a while back about potentially overcharging the cells with a solar powered unit.

I'll start looking at them, but if all you 12 volt experts out there have advice or warnings on solar panels I'd appreciate hearing them.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
Association Forum © since 1999 Catalina Capri 25s International Association Go To Top Of Page
Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000 Version 3.4.06
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.