Replacing Trickle Charger with 3 stage charger

[jasoncandace]

Hi All - our first post...hope someone can shed some light

Bought our first sailboat 2 weeks ago - it ran fine at sea trial and survey was great (did suggest replacing trickle charger with newer 3 stage) ....the existing owner gave us a very brief tutorial on the existing old school trickle charger ....a week later motor wouldnt turn over, so i checked both batteries and they were both bone dry and corroded. From all the reading I've done this is probably from overcharging.

I have purchased a 3 stage charger ProMariner ProSport12 recommended by steveston marine (as well as installed new batteries - starting and deep cycle)


Battery1
Starting
Dekka part 24m6
Series 3600
Cca 24m 650
Ca - 850

Battery2
Deep cycle
Dekka Part dc24
Cca 24rv50
Ca 625
Rc 150

On the existing trickle charger located in the head, there are three cables - power, positive and negative

The negative cable from the existing trickle charger runs to the negative terminal on the starting/cranking battery.
The positive cable is connected thru the Battery Switch (1, 2, ALL, Off)
The power cable goes to an AC outlet of course

my question is this:

with the new ProMariner Prosport 12a 3 stage charger, with no risk of overcharging, can i just mount the charger in the lazarette beside the batteries, connect the charger to both batteries (as it says in the manual) and NOT connect thru the Battery Switch at all?


Any assistance would be appreciated!

[nickmerc]

Yes, however you will want to consider if the lazarette is a good, dry place to mount the charger. You may want to mount it somewhere inside the cabin and run wires to the battery. The wires will not be that big (maybe 10gauge?).
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[mitiempo]

I'd wire it direct to the batteries as well. You want it to be kept dry and away from the corrosive effect of the batteries. Fuse the positive output near each battery as well.

[bubb2]

It sounds to me if you keep the wiring that you have and move the battery switch to "both" it will charge both batteries.

[mitiempo]

True, but if you turn the switch to off when leaving the boat as is normal it defeats the purpose. You should be able to charge on shorepower with the main switch in the off position.

[DwayneSpeer]

Yes, connect directly to both batteries thru a fuse and keep the charger clean and dry. It's one of the best investments you can make in your peace of mind. I've been using one for 10 years and my current batteries (deep discharge golf cart batteries) are 7 years old and in perfect condition. I keep them plugged in and charging at all times when I'm on shore power.

[jasoncandace]

Want to thank you guys for your feedback.....

I installed the charger directly to both batts, and all is well....i will repost if something fails. I am curious to know what you all do on the 'off season' ......ie. do you just keep the charger on thru the winter when not running the boat?

as a side note the Promariner Prosport 12 Dual charger is actually waterproof as well, which is a bonus. Either way it's in a nice dry area.

Thanks again!

JV