charging batteries

[mikenehrkorn]

I have a ProMariner battery charger that I haven't gotten installed in the boat yet....could I use it to provide trickle charging to my batteries over the winter or is that too much stress to the batteries over several months?

[zabooda]

I would recommend calling the company as I don't see anything indicating a multistage charging. On the Amazon site I saw: "ProSports Energy Saver Mode will monitor and Auto Maintain batteries which would significantly reduce AC power consumption, lowering operating costs and maximize reserve power performance." The main importance is a low charging rate to prevent batteries from drying out so the bottom line is to extend battery life not save electricity. They sell their own maintainer systems so I would give them a call. I would expect these systems to maintain batteries but they advertise how fast they can charge batteries and how lightweight it is.

[mikenehrkorn]

I contacted ProMariner and here was there response:

It should be fine for using over the winter. Just be sure you check the batteries monthly to be sure they have plenty of water and everything is ok.

ProMariner Support
800-824-0524
www.pmariner.com

[zabooda]

I'm a firm believer in the battery tenders as they have one purpose and that is to keep a small charge on the battery and they won't overcharge and dry out the battery. Even by design with the power being a class B transformer the only failure point is it not working as it doesn't have the capacity to overcharge. The last couple of years I keep my battery installed with the tender operating continuously and with the boat covered I would never be able to check cell levels. I do check to see that it is working by plugging the cord into a Kill-A-Watt and see the power use. Adding water to a battery means either the battery is being overcharged or the battery is on its last legs and sulfating is occurring. I've had a bad experience with my motor home charging system that had a three stage system and it dried out the golf cart batteries so now I use the tender rather than try to figure out what went wrong. They are cheap and you can even find them at Costco. My boat uses the two pin connector but you can use a lighter plug if the receptacle is directly connected to the battery.

[mikenehrkorn]

I'm a firm believer in the battery tenders as they have one purpose and that is to keep a small charge on the battery and they won't overcharge and dry out the battery. Even by design with the power being a class B transformer the only failure point is it not working as it doesn't have the capacity to overcharge. The last couple of years I keep my battery installed with the tender operating continuously and with the boat covered I would never be able to check cell levels. I do check to see that it is working by plugging the cord into a Kill-A-Watt and see the power use. Adding water to a battery means either the battery is being overcharged or the battery is on its last legs and sulfating is occurring. I've had a bad experience with my motor home charging system that had a three stage system and it dried out the golf cart batteries so now I use the tender rather than try to figure out what went wrong. They are cheap and you can even find them at Costco. My boat uses the two pin connector but you can use a lighter plug if the receptacle is directly connected to the battery.

So you would advocate using a battery tender instead??

[zabooda]

I would. I'm not convinced the Promariner has that capability. For long term layup, you may not check the battery for months if at all and you'll see when it is time to get the boat ready whether the charger did it's job correctly. A tender should never draw down the liquid level of a battery not even a sulfated one even though the tender itself may be maxed out and actually serves no purpose in that case.

[5:00]

I picked up the NOCO Genius 4 bank charger two seasons ago and this will be my 3rd winter with it.
https://no.co/g4
It is expensive (less elsewhere) but I was tired at guessing about batteries and having name brand chargers go out every few years. I had this thing bring back to life one battery. They also have 1 & 2 bank chargers. I can trickle all four of my marine batteries at once or charge if needed. Nice accessories as well. Just plug in and it senses different battery types, charge level and voltages. Charge an AGM 12VDC along with a Pb 6VDC. IP64 rated also.

https://noco-thenococompany.netdna-ssl.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1440x/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/G/4/G4-6V-12V-4-Bank-Automatic-Car-Battery-Trickle-Charger-Maintainer-PT01.jpg

[MLA]

I would. I'm not convinced the Promariner has that capability.

If the OP provided his model number to promariner when he contacted them, then all speculation is over. Most any promariner built marine onboard charger released in the past 10 years, will be a multi-stage smart charger, designed to be left plugged in.

HUGE difference between a tender applying a very small but constant state of charge and multi-stage smart charger. The tender can eventually over charger or boil out the water during a long layup. A smart charger will only wake up and apply a charger, when its senses the the battery has dropped.


and having name brand chargers go out every few years. I had this thing bring back to life one battery.

I can trickle all four of my marine batteries at once or charge if needed.

I see these types of statements in one sentence way to often. In almost all cases, the failed chargers were too small for the task. Choosing the right size charger for the job, and it should last.

That G4 is NOT an ideal charger for a boat, sorry to say. its only 1.1A p/bank and upto 40Ah combined max. A typical group 24 might be 65Ah, already exceeding the capacity of that G4. Not even taking into account, additional batteries on the boat. For a boat with 4 batteries, id want 3-bank min and at least 30A output. You want a charger that actually have the ability to recharge a depleted bank. The G4 would be better suited for toys and lawn equipment.

if al all possible, leave the batteries in the boat. Too may spring time calls with engine wont starts, stereo wont power up, helm is dead, etc, all due to a rouge battery cable that got overlooked. Not to mention, the crossed cable resulting in a blown breaker, ECM or alternator. If you have a LONG winter layup and access to 120AC, invest in a good on-board smart charger and leave the batteries. For a short layup, good batteries with a full charger, will survive the winter just fine left in the boat with the main battery switch turned off.

[zabooda]

The G4 and the Tender are both adequate for battery layup in a fully charged state. The Tender does have a variable charge rate but ineffective for large batteries. The Tender will never ever boil out a large battery at 750ma and a shutoff at 80 hours whereas a so called smart charger will continue to charge a sulfated battery until it gets to the next level that it may never reach.

[trayson]

I have a ProMariner battery charger that I haven't gotten installed in the boat yet....could I use it to provide trickle charging to my batteries over the winter or is that too much stress to the batteries over several months?

What model pro sport do you have?

I have the pro sport 20 dual bank and I've been quite happy with it. I used to just use the cheap $8 harbor freight float chargers, but I've found that it's really hard to tell when they crap out. The led on the harbor freight ones will light up by being plugged into the wall OR the led will light up when connected to a battery (when the plug isn't plugged into the wall).

I'd use the pro sport personally and call it good.

Also, I think most people say "trickle charger" when they're talking about a "float charger". Trickle means it get a tiny bit of voltage no matter what. Float chargers shut off the juice when the battery voltage is topped off.

[MLA]

The G4 and the Tender are both adequate for battery layup in a fully charged state

So lets say someone has a 2 bank setup consisting of, say, 4 batteries total. 1 main cranking, 3 house. After spending 6 hours at the sand bar blasting the tunes, then a 15 minute ride back to the dock/ramp, I can assure you that 3 battery house bank is not at a fully charged state. Now what? One charger to recharge and then a maintainer for the winter? The proper charger of your brand choice, will do both. Like the NOCO Gen series if thats the brand you are partial to.

Cant comment on "the tender" without knowing a specific model. But to say " they have one purpose and that is to keep a small charge on the battery and they won't overcharge and dry out the battery" seems like a contradiction to me.

Also, promariner makes a number of models. Since no specific model is named here, maybe not paint them all with the same brush.

[mikenehrkorn]

It's an older model that I purchased from one of the forum members - here is the model...looks like its the Gen 2 and not sold anymore except at Walmart (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pro-Mariner-Gen2-ProSport-Charger-12-Amp-2-Bank/22573694?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227016993909&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40969957832&wl4=pla-78913017152&wl5=9021702&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla_with_promotion&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=22573694&wl13=&veh=sem):

26415

As far as the conversation with ProMariner, I did not supply the exact model number and they didn't ask.

[5:00]

That G4 is NOT an ideal charger for a boat, sorry to say. its only 1.1A p/bank and upto 40Ah combined max. A typical group 24 might be 65Ah, already exceeding the capacity of that G4. Not even taking into account, additional batteries on the boat. For a boat with 4 batteries, id want 3-bank min and at least 30A output. You want a charger that actually have the ability to recharge a depleted bank. The G4 would be better suited for toys and lawn equipment.

I should clarify how I use this. When I have four batteries on maintenance I have two AGM from the boat and two PWC AGM. When I am doing a charge I am only doing one at a time. I have had zero problems using the G4 whatsoever.

They also have a waterproof 10A and 7.5A per bank charger as well if needed. https://no.co/products/charging/onboard For my use I don't need it and it is way expensive.

[mikenehrkorn]

I followed up with ProMariner support to let them know I have an older model and this was their response....

From: ProMariner Support <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2017 10:16 AM
To: mikenehrkorn
Subject: RE: Pro Mariner Contact Us Message

Yes, that is one of the last generation chargers. But if you check your batteries regularly you should be fine.

ProMariner Support
800-824-0524
www.pmariner.com

>> From: Mike Nehrkorn
>> Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2017 9:01 AM
>> To: ProMariner Support
>> Subject: Re: Pro Mariner Contact Us Message
>>
>> Just to confirm, the model of ProSport that I have is a bit older (Gen 2 I think - see attached pic of the side of the unit) - that would still be ok, correct?

[MLA]

@mike,

Mount the charger, connect the bank cables directly to the batteries, make sure the main battery switch is off, make sure the battery cells are topped off and plug the charger in. Once a month, power cycle the charger by disconnecting and reconnecting the 120AC

[mikenehrkorn]

@mike,

Mount the charger, connect the bank cables directly to the batteries, make sure the main battery switch is off, make sure the battery cells are topped off and plug the charger in. Once a month, power cycle the charger by disconnecting and reconnecting the 120AC

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate the help

[Jeepers]

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate the help

I’ve used an onboard promariner dual bank on all of my boats plugged in throughout the entire winter. They automatically check the system, charge if needed and maintain. In maintain mode they provide a pulse charge which desulfates the batteries. I got 10 years out of 2 31M diehard platinum marine batteries using a similar onboard charger.

I have 2 31M 135AH AGM batteries at $325 each and want them to last as long as possible.

Whatever charger you use, make sure it’s compatible with your batteries. Many of the inexpensive battery maintainers and chargers are not compatible with AGM batteries.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Abart84]

Mount the charger, connect the bank cables directly to the batteries, make sure the main battery switch is off, make sure the battery cells are topped off and plug the charger in. Once a month, power cycle the charger by disconnecting and reconnecting the 120AC

MLA, I am new to boat ownership and just purchased my first boat. The boat has a ProMariner installed and I just wanted to confirm that I should have the battery switch turned to off position when using the ProMariner. Also is it recommended that I use the ProMariner after every outing?

Thank you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MLA]

Yes switch off. We dont want the charger to supply any parasitic draws, as it keeps the charger in a charge mode, and go into float mode. On a dual bank setup, it lets the charger take care of each bank individually.

The promariners are designed to be plugged in and left. The main cranking bank will likely not need any charger between uses, and the charger will sense this. Depending on use, the house bank may or may not need recharging.

[trayson]

Yes switch off. We dont want the charger to supply any parasitic draws, as it keeps the charger in a charge mode, and go into float mode. On a dual bank setup, it lets the charger take care of each bank individually.

The promariners are designed to be plugged in and left. The main cranking bank will likely not need any charger between uses, and the charger will sense this. Depending on use, the house bank may or may not need recharging.

Let's assume that I have everything wired correctly and don't have any "parasitic draws". Is there any problem/harm with leaving my perko in the 'on' position for one of my battery banks? (leaving the switch set to "2" while plugged into the ProSport)

[MLA]

As long as there are no draws, is nothing to keep the charger from cycling through its stages to the float mode. Even a small draw and the charger keeps working.

Is there a need to keep the switch in any position other then off?

[trayson]

As long as there are no draws, is nothing to keep the charger from cycling through its stages to the float mode. Even a small draw and the charger keeps working.

Is there a need to keep the switch in any position other then off?

LOL. Need??? No.

Laziness, yes. the Perko switch is mounted under the observer seat cushion. So to access it, I have to pull the cushion out. It's a lot easier to just swing the door open and grab the plug vs. having to pull that cushion to do both.

Same reason I never bother pulling the drain plug. Just easier to not do it. LOL. (and we don't have the muscle problem, so that's a non issue.)