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.
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.
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.
Contact us for our recommendations for your charger requirements.
Blue Power Waterproof 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)
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)
Stand alone 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:
Built-In Additional Features:
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