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Battery Charger

Discussion in 'Post Yacht' started by Reel Antsy, Apr 12, 2021.

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  1. Reel Antsy

    Reel Antsy New Member

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    Looking for a recommendation for a new battery charger for our '43. The current charger appears to be working and batteries are not old and are in good shape. However, the battery charger has an annoying hum and I can hear it while in the salon.
    It's Dytek, which I believe is or was a product of Charles. I am assuming this is an outdated model.

    Thanks.
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    You're going to mostly be regulated to where the battery cable connections are located on the new charger than brand. Unless you want to go to the trouble of extending all of the battery connection leads on the charger.
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  3. Reel Antsy

    Reel Antsy New Member

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    Good point. But still...gotta do something about it sooner or later. Thank you for your input.
  4. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I've had a lot of mastervolt failures lately, so not a fan of them. Dolphin and Victron chargers are good.
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  5. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    +1 to that.
    I had a very good experience also with the Victron charger/inverter combined (both Multiplus and Quattro models).
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  6. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I ve had so so experiences with Dolphin chargers... replaced two, each at about 5 years old.

    I really like Pro Mariners. I ve owned / installed a few over the years on various boats

    the new ones are very compact and silent

    I like having chargers out of the heat of the ER
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  7. OutPost

    OutPost Member

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    This is a rabbit hole topic as every recommendation you find for a particular brand / model has a corresponding "stay away" set of posts as well. I was having "what mattress should I buy" flashbacks.

    I just redid my entire system with a 3 bank powermania. Does not have as many bell and whistle options as some of the others but only brand I could find with almost universal praise and very little knocks during my typical pre purchase overanalysis.
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  8. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    LOL. Some people have very strong opinions and only what they use is right, until theirs breaks down and they hate it. You really have to read between the lines and dig down on recommendations for anything because they may have different needs, priorities, locales and usage. I tend to follow the recommendations of the people who are doing work for me. Figure if I trust them to work for me.... Plus I can always look them up if their recommendation turns out to be bad. That not only applies here but on most things.
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  9. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Having seen a few chargers open, I think there are differences in build quality and components used, among different brands.
    But you have a point in saying that the brand as such is not the only thing that matters.

    As Pascal said, a placement outside the e/room is much preferable, and not only to avoid extreme thermal excursions, but also the somewhat salty atmosphere that is inevitable inside it.
    The only drawback is that many boats only have an automatic fire suppression system inside the e/r.
    And since chargers are often left on with the boat unattended, it's always a good idea to keep them in a place somehow controlled against smoke/fire.
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  10. Davidoc

    Davidoc Senior Member

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    I use Xantrex charger / inverters. I have had a 3KW /150A charger for 25 years. They break once in awhile but are repairable by dealers. I bolted mine on the side generator support rails near where the old charger was mounted. Very quiet and clean AC. The newer models now handle Lion batteries.
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  11. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Xantrex were great 20 years ago then they shifted production to red China...reliability went down the tubes
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  12. My Affair

    My Affair Member

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    Very happy with my Victron Phoenix 50 Amp 120v. Charger.
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  13. GPO

    GPO Member

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    Have a factory installed Victron Centaur 12/20 charger for my genset battery. No issues thus far (11 years).

    A very well-respected installer here in the PNW, specializing in marine electronic and electrical, specs Victron for their installations. They used Victron components for my solar array.

    For what it's worth, I'm also pleased with the performance of my upgraded charger/inverters - 2 Magnum MS4024 charger/inverters in parallel to charge my larger house bank (upgraded to Firefly L15s) - done by another installer.

    In my experience installers tend to use brands that they are familiar/comfortable working with, including their consideration of how well brands perform for the customer long after installed. Though I'll acknowledge that experiences will differ, leading to the diversity of opinions mentioned by OutPost in #7.
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  14. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    I have a Powermania also for two 8D batteries on my Ocean .
    I had a Charles which I put in. That lasted 3 years...then i find out they were out of business. So I had to get something quickly from my local boat supply. The “Powermania “ lol, was a bit hokey to me .

    The Powermaina also just has 3 years on it and it been super great and quite.
    Wiring was simple from the one unit to the other. All wires pretty much Matched up.
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  15. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Transformers hummmmm. Second wife (ex) did not.

    The newer switching power supplies and chargers do away with those transformers.
    Yep, My Raritan 40A chargers are still humminggg away. Out lasted the second (ex) wife.

    Thru the many years I was installing the MasterVolt line of products, Then later the Victron brand. Never an issue with either.
    After witnessing to many issues, I never pushed the Xantrex stuff. They seem to have a new ad agency selling them now days, Still; It will still be a cold and desperate day before I ever try that brand.
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  16. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Consta-volt, Ray Jefferson depth flasher, Ray Jeff VHF, Decca Radar, LORAN-C....Capt Ralph ! You've got to get on the new stuff! :D
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  17. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I am, Third wife..
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  18. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    All you have to say is '' Baby I need you to by me that new Simrad GPS "...:rolleyes: We NEED it!
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  19. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Don't need no stinking GPS,, Where there are birds, there is land.

    Oh oh, I hope the battery charger question was answered.
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  20. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Yes , yes . Get the Powermania for your particular vessel.
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