Do you have questions about Battery Chargers? I am here to help!

[txav8r]

The 232/242 boats came standard with VSR and later DVSR setups.

 

[Island Jay]

I just called the factory and spoke with a tech. The prosport and VSR mix in your setup is 100% fine.

 

[Sacamano]

@ChargerGuy awesome, thanks. Great service!

 

[Island Jay]

My pleasure.

 

[Geiger41]

I would like to order the 2/20 If I got a 3 bank, are there other applications I could use for the third bank for EXCEPT a 3rd battery?? Just curious if I am better with the 2/20 or go with a 3 bank with one bank for reserve. (Depending what it can be used for. Can you explain and give me order info so when I choose I can place my order.

 

[Island Jay]

Hello geiger41

A 3 banks can be used on a 2 battery bank system, just double up the leads on one battery.

When you say 2/20, do you mean a 2 bank waterproof 20 amp or dry mount?

If you have any possibility of adding a 3rd bank, getting the right charger now will save you $$ and install time.

thanks!
Jason

 

[Geiger41]

Looks like I would need a dry mount 2 bank 20 amp. Let me know if you have any and I can then place an order

 

[Island Jay]

Geiger. I have a ProTech i 12v 20 amp 3 Bank. Yes, it can be used on 1,2, or 3 batteries.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151186903725
If you want to buy it off ebay, it would be $70 for the unit. I would just drop you a paypal invoice.

To make sure....This is a 12v only charger. Are you trying to charge a 24v setup?

 

[Cowboy Casey]

I have a guest dual bank charger. The charger will not allow me to select battery type anymore. It defaults to the "safe" setting. It typically allows you to select from lead/agm, safe, and gel. I'm ready to pitch the thing overboard!

Can you recommend a dual bank charger? I currently have a start battery (flooded group 24) and a house battery (sears agm group 31)?

I also drilled a hole at the helm to mount the remote led lights that display the charger status, so anything that can utilize that hole to monitor the charger status would be appreciated! Otherwise, I may fill it with another accessory, maybe a USB charger outlet...

Thanks!!!

@upperdeck : just take the power lead off the battery and reconnect it.... it will then allow you to change the battery type...

 

[upperdeck]

@upperdeck : just take the power lead off the battery and reconnect it.... it will then allow you to change the battery type...

I have done that many times. It appears it is defective. The good thing is that Guest/Marinco happens to be headquartered in Menomonee Falls, where I live. I just dropped it off. If they tell me I'm out of luck, I'll definitely be ordering one here!

 

[Cowboy Casey]

ahhhh, I was hoping that would fix it... well maybe it will help someone that is trouble shooting this....

 

[Geiger41]

Geiger. I have a ProTech i 12v 20 amp 3 Bank. Yes, it can be used on 1,2, or 3 batteries.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151186903725
If you want to buy it off ebay, it would be $70 for the unit. I would just drop you a paypal invoice.

To make sure....This is a 12v only charger. Are you trying to charge a 24v setup?

I have 2 batteries but they are NOT connected together. One is for starting the boat and one is for the radio/electronics etc

 

[0627Devildog]

@Julian - This is a great thread we might want to consider pinning. . . . .

 

[Julian]

@Julian - This is a great thread we might want to consider pinning. . . . .

I've added it to the FAQ!

 

[Island Jay]

I have 2 batteries but they are NOT connected together. One is for starting the boat and one is for the radio/electronics etc

That is fine. They do not need to be connected. Independent is ok too.

 

[Gym]

That is fine. They do not need to be connected. Independent is ok too.

So that means the house battery does not get charged while under way?

 

[Island Jay]

If you are relying on the ProTech, then no. This charger requires AC power to charge your batteries.
If you need to charge the house battery from your engine, you need a DC to DC chargers or VSR. $200+/ea

 

[David Analog]

I have 2 batteries but they are NOT connected together. One is for starting the boat and one is for the radio/electronics etc

To protect the boat's charging system I understand the desire to keep the stereo bank off-line from the modest stators. However, a giant amount of reserve that is fully charged presents no threat to the charging components. Reserves that are well depleted are a different story as they constitute a significant and serious load. So I recommend keeping the stereo battery bank on-line with the boat's charging system throughout the day to get a maintenance charge. Once you have a long duration at rest with a large audio system at play then after that event you should have the stereo bank off-line for the remainder of the day. Then you depend on AC shore charging for restoration. It's a safe way to protect the boat electronics while extending your play time for that day and promoting longer battery lifespan via shallower cycles.

 

[Island Jay]

I may have missed this, but why not install a VSR between the two batteries?

 

[txav8r]

Unless it is a DVSR, an ACR is a better alternative. And the DVSR is so much more complicated with more switches and components to make room for. The ASR and dual battery switch are capable of handling a true dual battery arrangement but allow charging of both banks while underway, and isolate when using your shore charging, be it on board or otherwise.