Onboard Battery Charger: Multi-Bank Battery Charger Buying Guide


Posted April 2, 2019 by Beverly456

Should you need an onboard battery charger which features multiple banks, you've got a pretty considerable battery installation that probably includes a house battery,
 
Should you need an onboard battery charger which features multiple banks, you've got a pretty considerable battery installation that probably includes a house battery, a starting battery, a trolling motor battery charger, plus much more. A multiple bank onboard battery charger can save a lot of frustration and time within rotating a one or two charge battery charger one of batteries or bringing a battery charger on your boat whenever your batteries require recharging.

You are also being smart because picking a multi-bank onboard battery charger over rotating, or attempting to control multiple batteries simultaneously with a single charger, allows you to apply all of the benefits of a contemporary charger maintainer to each battery based on its own needs. This is likely to prolong the life span of every battery and help you save money in the long term.

Today's onboard multiple-bank chargers are smart chargers with built-in microprocessors to restrain their multi-phase charging and maintenance procedures and may also include desulfation and regain functions. They could deliver better battery life and longer lifetime. They are also very likely to permit you to maintain all of your batteries throughout the off-season unattended so that your ship is ready once you are in the Spring.

What should you look for in a multi-bank rechargeable battery charger?

Power

How much power do you need? The output you need out of a multi-bank system is closely related to the use of every battery. Here's a quick guide to amperage output for some applications:

O Low Output - (6 amps or below) A very low output model may be useful for upkeep use or any low amp hour battery application.

O Medium Output - (9 - 15 amps) A moderate output model would be appropriate for medium use or intermittent usage maybe only on weekends to get a trolling motor.

O High Output - (15 amps or over ) A high output model could be utilized in large amp hour battery software (150 Ah for example), or some other scenario where repeated rapid recharging is required.

Be cautious when choosing the amperage output based on its description. Vendors and manufacturers usually publish amperage in two ways. 1 way is to print the overall amps by multiplying the output signal of every bank occasions the amount of banks. For example, they might publish the output as 40 Amps, but what they're actually telling you is that the charger generates 10 Amps output for every bank. Another manner and more useful is to publish the output per bank.

A common rapid calculation to ascertain how much amperage output you will need is to determine the amp-hour rating of every battery and insert them together. Then multiply that amount by 10 percent to find the amperage required. In the case of four 105 amp-hour batteries, you'd need approximately 10% of 420 amp-hours or 42 amps or about 10 amps each bank for a 4-bank battery charger.

Battery Voltage

Most marine systems are located on 12V or 24V batteries. Be certain the onboard battery charging system you select can take care of your ship's battery voltages.

Battery Types

Marine batteries serve various functions on-board your boat which range from beginning to providing electricity for several of the principal systems. You're very likely to encounter profound cycle, Gel Cel, or AGM batteries in a marine atmosphere.

Gel Cel batteries require a special charging profile which can only be supplied by models especially designed to charge Gel cel batteries. Onboard battery chargers that charge AGM or deep cycle batteries alone are not equipped to correctly charge Gel Cel batteries. Ensure you choose a marine version that can handle all the battery types you have.

Smart Chargers

Most contemporary multi-bank onboard system have incorporated microprocessors. These computers run smart programs to control and keep your batteries unattended without overcharging or damaging your batteries, charger or ship systems.

Many include built-in safety features that protect against reverse polarity and may also monitor battery charging status, battery condition, and correct charger output to match the needs of every individual battery.

Harsh Marine Environment

The marine environment is one filled with moisture such as direct spray and humidity. Though your model may not be subjected to direct spray, any charger that you are considering should be completely sealedwatertight, and capable of withstanding the harsh marine environment.

Depending on where you're planning to mount the onboard system, it could be exposed to everything from salt spray to heavier splashes of fresh or sea water. In any situation, you can count on an unrelenting attack .

Mountable

Almost always, as soon as a battery charger is characterized as an onboard version, it is going to come with the capacity to be mounted and include hardware. Mounting your own battery charger is going to result in a neater installation that lowers the risk of harm to the battery charger or its cabling.

It's worth mentioning that it might not always be true, so it's worthwhile to check for included components and mounting brackets if you are thinking about mounting it onto a bulkhead.

Safety

Boats that feature enclosed engine pockets may accumulate fumes from both fuel and batteries and if not properly ventilated pose a possible fire and explosion risk. Any onboard battery charger you choose should comply with ISO 8846 and U.S. Coast Guard Title 33 CFR 183.410 ignition protection specifications which says that compliant devices:

O will not ignite a flammable hydrocarbon blend surrounding the apparatus when and ignition source causes an inner explosion

O aren't capable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy to spark a hydrocarbon mixture

O or the origin of the ignition is hermetically sealed.

Also look for additional safety features including protection against over-voltage, overload, over-temperature, and inverse polarity.

Power Inverter

A few mutli-bank battery chargers have incorporated AC outlets to encourage added onboard AC devices close to the charger. If that is a capability you need, check for that feature.

Warranty

Everything else being equal, a fantastic guarantee can be the tiebreaker. Given the harsh environments that marine battery chargers suffer, the risk of collapse is real.

Producers that give a very long guarantee are telling you that they have religion in their workmanship and materials. You should look for models with at least a 2-Year limited warranty.

A multi-bank mountable battery charger is a popular selection for serious mariners who want the convenience and performance it offers. The right multi-bank onboard battery charger can take care of all of your marine battery charging needs.
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Issued By Beverly B. Pham
Country United States
Categories Affiliate Program , Automotive , Banking
Tags molicel battery
Last Updated April 2, 2019