Ray Jefferson Battery Guard?

[rperret]

When purchasing my current boat, included was something called a Ray Jeffsorson Battery Guard.

It has a 120v AC plug, a dial reading from 0-15 amps, and 4 screw terminals below - 3 positives and a common ground.

Its made out of a performated metal box and looks like it is 70's vintage.

Any idea what the heck this is? A Battery charger? How does it control amp flow?

Any input appreciated as always. And thanks for answering my other questions...

Rick

[btrayfors]

Sounds like a ferro-resonant battery charger from the 70's, set up to charge up to 3 banks of batteries.

If you value your batteries, you'll just toss it and get a modern "smart" battery charger with bulk, acceptance, and float charge capability.

These needn't be expensive.

What batteries do you have? What size/type boat?

Bill

[sailingdog]

I'd second what Bill said... Does it hum when you plug it in... that's a common noticeable side effect of ferro-resonant chargers.

[dlblandjr]

Yes, it is a charger, of the maintenance sort, I have one I bought in 1998 new, it was acclaimed as a smart charger in 1998 but the Ray Jefferson co. packed it in over a decade ago now, so there is no longer any support for this puppy , mine is fine, I have thought of replacing it , but hey, why fix it if it aint broke, eh ?

[dlblandjr]

it does work for 3 banks of big ol golf cart batteries , that is what I run on "S/V Pretty Girl"

[Jeff_H]

I have one on Synergy. It works fine on my AGM's, getting roughly 7-8 year out of them, but its no smart charger by any stretch of the imagination and I am not a live aboard, and so rare use it.

Jeff