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.



 

        Inverters

        Inverter/Chargers

        Blue Power Waterproof Chargers

        Blue Power Chargers

        Phoenix Chargers

        Centaur Charger 12 / 24 Volt

        Orion DC-DC Converters

        Argo FET Isolators

                     


 

 

Battery Minder Charger

 

 

                           

 

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)
  •  

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

 

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: 
 

FIRST: A constant current bulk charge is applied to achieve the fastest possible return of energy to the battery. 

SECOND: This constant voltage stage is proportionally timed and temperature compensated, minimizing electrolyte breakdown and gas emission.

THIRD: The final standby float charge stage will replace standing losses and keep the battery in a fully charged state & "Ready".

PLUS: As soon as the battery is connected, a desulfation circuit encourages the breakdown of large sulfate crystals which can develop during prolonged periods of deep discharge.

 

  • External Temperature Compensation
  • Electronic Current Limit Protection
  • Unique De-sulfatication Circuit
  • Short Circuit Shutdown
  • Phase Angle Control
  • Voltage Limited
  • Provides DC Power While Charging
  • Low Voltage Start
  • Powder Coated Finish
  • Modular Construction
  • Digital Microprocessor Control
  • Compact Size
  • Three Stage Plus Control
  • Customer Preferred LED Amp Meter
  • Safety Override Timer
  • Green ready Lamp / Fault indicator
  • Timed C.V. Stage / 80% Returned
  • Fully Automatic Operation
  • Proportional Timing
  • Battery Type Switch

 

Built-In Additional Features:

A low voltage start circuit which will recharge over discharged batteries from as low as 400 millivolts

Incorporated in the PS is a sample and hold circuit which eliminates voltage sensing errors and prevents parasitic discharge during A.C. power loss.

Electronic short circuit and reverse polarity shutdown, without blowing fuses, an exceptional safety feature.
The built in electronic timer monitors the time taken from start of charge until the battery voltage reaches the first preset voltage limit. The time duration for the second stage is automatically calculated in proportion to the time taken for the first stage. This feature is specifically designed to optimize charging on a wide range of battery types, ages and sizes.
A customer preferred LED. Amp gauge indicates the current output without fragile moving meters or energy loss. A green ready indicator shows positively that the battery is ready for use or will flash if there is an override timeout.

 

Specifications:

MODEL

DC Output Amps

DC Output Volts

AC Input Amps

AC Input Volts

AC Input Frequency

Length In.

Width In.

Height In.

Weight Lbs.

Professional Series
PS 1205
5 12 1 117 * 60 Hz * 6.0 6.5 5.25 7.1
PS1210
10 12 2 117 * 60 Hz * 6.0 6.5 5.25 9.5
PS 2405
5 24 2 117 * 60 Hz * 6.0 6.5 5.25 12.6
PS 2408
8 24 3 117 * 60 Hz * 6.0 6.5 5.25 15.2
Lineage Series
LS 0606
6 6 1 117 * 60 Hz * 6.0 6.5 5.25 5.2
LS 1202
2 12 2 117 * 60 Hz * 6.0 6.5 5.25 5.2
LS1206
6 12 2 117 * 60 Hz * 6.0 6.5 5.25 5.2
LS 2403
3 24 2 117 * 60 Hz * 6.0 6.5 5.25 5.7
LS 2405
5 24 3 117 * 60 Hz * 6.0 6.5 5.25 9.5
LS 3603
3 36 2 117 * 60 Hz * 6.0 6.5 5.25 9.5
Industrial Commercial Series
ICS 1230
30 12 4.5 117 * 60 Hz * 12.0 7.0 7.0 24.0
ICS 2425
25 24 7.5 117 * 60 Hz * 12.0 7.0 7.0 27.6
ICS 3620
20 36 9.6 117 * 60 Hz * 12.0 7.0 7.0 32.1
ICS 4820
20 48 12 117 * 60 Hz * 12.0 7.0 7.0 37.0

                * International voltages available

Note: Models with Bold Print are stocked


 

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Saturday 9:00 - Noon

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