The Worth of Solar Battery Charging; Battery Maintainers

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Author Topic:   The Worth of Solar Battery Charging; Battery Maintainers

kdspawwah posted 03-01-2008 08:32 PM ET (US)
I have a 1995 Dauntless 17. It has one battery with nothing but stock electronics and fish finder running off it. [What is the worth of] solar trickle chargers? [Give me recommendations on] what size and type [of solar battery charger to use].
[Give recommendations for] off season trickle chargers. Thanks
jimh posted 03-01-2008 09:29 PM ET (US)
To maintain a battery I recommend the ProMarine 1.5-Amp maintenance charger. It is the only charger I know that has a controlled voltage output regulated at 13.4-Volts. This is important because if the battery is maintained above that voltage it will tend to out-gas and vent electrolyte.
As it happens, I just bought one of these this afternoon:
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ Product_10151_-1_10001_45201_200003004_200000000_200003000_200-3-4
There are many prior discussion on use of solar panels to charge batteries. You may find reading these prior discussions will give you the information you seek. Here is a link to a list of about 40 threads on the topic:
http://continuouswave.com/cgi-bin/sw.pl?Search=solar+NEAR+battery+NEAR+ charger
The list was generated using the search function available on the website.
jimh posted 03-01-2008 09:33 PM ET (US)
It took me a moment to find the website for ProMariner:
http://www.promariner.com/productFeature.php?ProductNum=10116
kdspawwah posted 03-02-2008 09:16 AM ET (US)
Great Info Jim
Thank you-
Keith
glen e posted 03-02-2008 09:48 AM ET (US)
I am very impressed with Promariner...I have owned two guests, a dual and now a promariner....aside from the tech side of the promariner (charges the bank that needs it the most) it is the most reliable so far after working 24/7 for 3.5 years...it's always on when I'm at the dock...all the others worked ok but eventaully fizzeled after a few years....
tmann45 posted 03-02-2008 10:18 AM ET (US)
Two more choices. I have and use both.
Battery Tender: http://batterytender.com/product_info.php?products_id=2
Complete 4-step charging program (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Absorption Mode, Float Mode).
Battery Minder: http://www.vdcelectronics.com/batteryminder_12117.htm
The BatteryMINDer PLUS® is a 3-mode charger/maintainer/conditioner that extends performance and life of all types and sizes of 12 Volt lead acid batteries. (with pulse desulphation)
Dropped this one into the salt water bayou, took apart, washed off mud and salt, dried and put back together, still working.
kdspawwah posted 03-02-2008 11:11 AM ET (US)
more good info!!
Thanks guys
Keith
1989outrage22 posted 03-06-2008 12:50 PM ET (US)
We have just installed two Battery Tender Waterproof 800 model on our boat. After much research and discussion, we have found that it is best to have one charger for each battery, this prolongs the life of each battery and if we are using the boat once per week all we require for charging are maintainers. The Waterproof 800 is fully automatic 3-step charging and for the price and warranty it is a good buy. We have been utilizing the Waterproof 800 and the Waterproof Power Tender Plus for years previously with no problems to date. The Waterproof Power Tender Plus will charge our trolling motor battery overnight, ready first thing in the morning with no problem. Both being waterproof the warranty is unconditional for the term, any problems send it back and get a new one! The pricing is great from this website:
www.dmgdistribution.net
kdspawwah posted 03-08-2008 09:55 PM ET (US)
Thanks outrage
I will take a look at website. Sounds great!

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Author	Topic: The Worth of Solar Battery Charging; Battery Maintainers
kdspawwah	posted 03-01-2008 08:32 PM ET (US) I have a 1995 Dauntless 17. It has one battery with nothing but stock electronics and fish finder running off it. [What is the worth of] solar trickle chargers? [Give me recommendations on] what size and type [of solar battery charger to use]. [Give recommendations for] off season trickle chargers. Thanks
jimh	posted 03-01-2008 09:29 PM ET (US) To maintain a battery I recommend the ProMarine 1.5-Amp maintenance charger. It is the only charger I know that has a controlled voltage output regulated at 13.4-Volts. This is important because if the battery is maintained above that voltage it will tend to out-gas and vent electrolyte. As it happens, I just bought one of these this afternoon: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ Product_10151_-1_10001_45201_200003004_200000000_200003000_200-3-4 There are many prior discussion on use of solar panels to charge batteries. You may find reading these prior discussions will give you the information you seek. Here is a link to a list of about 40 threads on the topic: http://continuouswave.com/cgi-bin/sw.pl?Search=solar+NEAR+battery+NEAR+ charger The list was generated using the search function available on the website.
jimh	posted 03-01-2008 09:33 PM ET (US) It took me a moment to find the website for ProMariner: http://www.promariner.com/productFeature.php?ProductNum=10116
kdspawwah	posted 03-02-2008 09:16 AM ET (US) Great Info Jim Thank you- Keith
glen e	posted 03-02-2008 09:48 AM ET (US) I am very impressed with Promariner...I have owned two guests, a dual and now a promariner....aside from the tech side of the promariner (charges the bank that needs it the most) it is the most reliable so far after working 24/7 for 3.5 years...it's always on when I'm at the dock...all the others worked ok but eventaully fizzeled after a few years....
tmann45	posted 03-02-2008 10:18 AM ET (US) Two more choices. I have and use both. Battery Tender: http://batterytender.com/product_info.php?products_id=2 Complete 4-step charging program (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Absorption Mode, Float Mode). Battery Minder: http://www.vdcelectronics.com/batteryminder_12117.htm The BatteryMINDer PLUS® is a 3-mode charger/maintainer/conditioner that extends performance and life of all types and sizes of 12 Volt lead acid batteries. (with pulse desulphation) Dropped this one into the salt water bayou, took apart, washed off mud and salt, dried and put back together, still working.
kdspawwah	posted 03-02-2008 11:11 AM ET (US) more good info!! Thanks guys Keith
1989outrage22	posted 03-06-2008 12:50 PM ET (US) We have just installed two Battery Tender Waterproof 800 model on our boat. After much research and discussion, we have found that it is best to have one charger for each battery, this prolongs the life of each battery and if we are using the boat once per week all we require for charging are maintainers. The Waterproof 800 is fully automatic 3-step charging and for the price and warranty it is a good buy. We have been utilizing the Waterproof 800 and the Waterproof Power Tender Plus for years previously with no problems to date. The Waterproof Power Tender Plus will charge our trolling motor battery overnight, ready first thing in the morning with no problem. Both being waterproof the warranty is unconditional for the term, any problems send it back and get a new one! The pricing is great from this website: www.dmgdistribution.net
kdspawwah	posted 03-08-2008 09:55 PM ET (US) Thanks outrage I will take a look at website. Sounds great!