A few words about chargers

Charging multiple battery banks onboard most yachts is not as simple as installing a multi-bank charger. Many consumers and installers believe that a charger with dual or triple outputs is all that you need, even when the battery banks are of different size and capacity.

A installation of 2 battery banks, where one bank is used for engine starting and the other is used as the "house" bank should only use a dual output charger if the battery banks are sized the same or within 10-15%.

If you have an average size starting battery and a very large (by comparison) house bank, the best solution is to install separate chargers on each bank. The starting bank will usually get by very well with a 3 stage charger in the 5-10 amp range. Even if you have dual starting batteries there is a great charger available with a dual output of 10 amps.

The charger for the house battery bank should also be a 3 stage charger and not be sized any larger than 10-15% of the battery bank capacity. (15% is maximum) Battery chargers that are larger than the recommended size will not charge the battery bank as well as a charger that is sized at 10% of the battery bank. 

We are very picky about the chargers that we sell. Many of the well known chargers are some of the worst units around and you will never find them in our store.

 Many times we have recommend a charger that was smaller than the customer thought was required. The main reason for this is the newer technology of 3 stage chargers. 3 stage chargers rated at around 20-25 amps will out perform an older taper charger rated at 50 amps in time to charge and the quality of the charge.

Older technology chargers started out at the maximum current they were capable of delivering and very shortly started to taper off rapidly. Some of these chargers never shut off, they just kept cooking and cooking the batteries. This continuous cooking resulted in excessive water usage, higher temperature and shorter life.

The newer 3 stage chargers will put out their rated output from the start of the charge cycle and maintain that output until the battery is charged to about 80-90%. Then the charger will taper the charge until the battery is charged.

When you install a charger that is larger than the recommended 10% rating it tends to be tricked by the rapid increase of the battery voltage and therefore will turn off before it has brought the batteries up to the 80-90% charge level.

Contact us for our recommendations for your charger requirements.

 

Phase Three Battery Series Chargers

 

The Phase Three series represents a new dimension in charger design and performance, employing "smart" switching circuitry which puts batteries through the optimum three-step charge process, adapts for gel-cell or lead-acid batteries, features precise voltage compensation for varying battery temperature, is rated for continuous duty and is housed in a rugged stainless steel case.

 

Phase Three Chargers interact with batteries by regulating both voltage and amperage through each phase of the charging process, depending on battery state of charge, temperature, impedance, duration at high rate, system demand and battery type. The result is rapid battery recovery without overcharge, properly maintained and conditioned batteries, adaptability to changing charge conditions and long battery life.
 

Features

Charge Characteristics

• Three stage 'smart' charging: bulk, absorption, float.
• lead-acid/gel-cell selector switch allows user to set optimum charge and float voltages based on battery type.
• Temperature compensation ­ automatically fine tunes output voltage based on battery temperature via remote sensor (optional).
• Internal terminals for optional equalization timer connection.
• High charge rate controlled by timer and current sensing circuit, switching to float rate even if there is a high continuous demand on any battery bank, preventing overcharge.
• Charge cycle timer is initialized each time AC power is applied.
• Charges battery and powers load simultaneously.
• Multi-battery output, charges 3 independent banks based on demand.

Circuit Characteristics

• Conservative circuit design, switching semiconductors selected to withstand over 200% of nominal power level.
• Continuous duty rated to 50° C, with automatic high temperature power reduction.
• Operates on 115/230 VAC 50-60 Hz. Can be used anywhere in the world. Accepts wide variation on input, produces full output even from an AC generator with a distorted sine wave output.
• Fully functional as power supply without battery connected; well regulated stand alone power source if batteries fail. (See regulation/ripple opposite page)
• Low EMI/RFI emission, compatible with on-board electronics.
• Multiple units may be wired in parallel for high power systems. (See system examples, opposite page)
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Indicators/Monitors

• Ammeter displays total charge output current.
• Power "ON" LED. (PT-70 + PT-24-35 only)
• Remote panel indicates output status and allows manual reset of charge phase (optional).
• Remote meter panel (optional) digitally displays battery voltage, up to 5 banks.

Protection

• Stainless steel case with optional use drip shield included.
• Current limited ­ won't overload when charging dead batteries.
• Variable speed thermally controlled fan with dust filter.
• Automatic high temperature power reduction above 50° C.
• Circuit board polyurethane conformal coated for use in marine/high humidity environments.
• Timer limits absorption charge duration, preventing overcharge when under continuous load. (settable from 5 to 13 hours)

 

 

ABC Series

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABC 12 Volt Series

The ABC 12 Volt Series utilize time tested SCR charging circuitry, individually sensing and regulating each of 2 isolated battery banks, allowing the user to leave the charger operating indefinitely, even under no-load conditions without fear of overcharging. These chargers are ideal for vessels and vehicles which have an intermittent demand for battery power.

(For battery systems which require high continuous output, see our Phase Three Chargers )

These chargers are housed in a rugged, black anodized aluminum, heat-sink case which extracts heat without introducing dust & moisture to the inside of the unit.

Extremely rugged design makes these chargers ideal for batteries in mobile installations; emergency vehicles, material handling equipment, generator sets.

All 12 volt ABC chargers feature a total output ammeter, on-off power switch, power "on" indicator light, 115/230 VAC input voltage selector switch, factory installed AC power cord with molded plug and shock-resistant rubber mounting grommets. Circuit boards are polyurethane conformal coated for corrosion resistance and all are protected against overheating by an automatically resetting thermal switch.

Features ­ 12 Volt Series

• Total output ammeter
• Dual independently regulated output banks
• On-off switch and power "on" indicator light
• Vibration absorbing mounting grommets
• Anodized aluminum case
• 115/230 VAC input selector switch
• Auto-reset thermal breaker
• Conformal coating of circuit board

ABC 32 Volt Model

This unique high-output charger is designed for the fast recovery of 32 volt battery systems found aboard commercial vessels and larger yachts. It utilizes a rugged, self-limiting, high-current capacity ferro-resonant transformer. To prevent overcharging by its high output circuit, a special voltage sense circuit is wired to the most used battery bank and a relay turns the charger on and off, as necessary.

TRUECHARGE Battery Chargers

Multi-stage charging capability for ripple-free performance and prolonged life of your batteries.

TRUECHARGE 10 HW - This 10 amp continuous duty, multi-stage, micro-processor controlled battery charger provides exceptional charging performance when charging from inconsistent line voltage. Ideal for 12 volt lead-acid batteries from 25 amp-hours to 200 amp-hours.

TRUECHARGE 10 - Utilizing alligator clip leads, our user-friendly 10 amp micro-processor controlled charger, accommodates 12 volt lead acid batteries from 25 amp-hours to 200 amp-hours. It is compact, easy to use, and offers quiet operation.

TRUECHARGE 20+ - Designed with 3-bank battery charging in mind, this 20 amp micro-processor controlled charger automatically regulates the charging process for the user, greatly simplifying the task of charging batteries. Recommended for batteries from 100 amp-hours to 400 amp-hours.

TRUECHARGE 40+ - Our 40 amp micro-processor controlled battery charger quickly recharges up to 3 deep-cycle battery banks, and knows when to stop charging to avoid cell damage. This unit accommodates 12 volt lead acid batteries from 200 amp-hours and up.

Remote indicator panels are available for the TrueCharge 20+ and 40+

Victron Energy

Stand alone chargers

Interacter Battery Chargers

Professional Series (PS)

The PS charger utilizes patented "3 Stage Plus" technology to interact with the battery and provide exactly the right amount of charge. Interacter    "3 Stage Plus" charging technology eliminates undercharging, overcharging, or damage to the battery, and is completely safe. The Interacter PS can be used to recharge virtually any type lead-acid battery including conventional liquid electrolyte, maintenance-free absorbed electrolyte, deep-cycle, and gelled type batteries.

Interacter's microprocessor circuitry with patented program in EPROM, controls four separate charging stages: