3 Bank Charger ?

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Do all the onboard chargers regulate themselves?
I know mine has a red light and then it goes green when they are fully charged.
The reason I ask is a friend of mine says his batteries are dry of water and thinks the charger boiled them dry.
His is a guest(sp) charger. Don't know model etc. Just a 3 bank charger.

 

[BillP]

Re: 3 Bank Charger ?

Hexx no. Some chargers do NOT regulate and will cook the batts dry. Some chargers are "smart" and regulate themselves. Your freind needs to look up how many amps his batts are and what the max trickle charge is when full. It's a percentage based on the type of batt...gel cell, flooded cell or agm. If the battery charger isn't "smart" he needs to do the trickle. If the charger is "smart" it will do the math and keep them from cooking dry.


bp

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: 3 Bank Charger ?

Thanks Bill. Is there a test you can do to see if it is working right?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 3 Bank Charger ?

Partially discharge the battery by leaving on the lights or some other load. Install an ammeter in the positive lead of the charger. Connect the battery charger and watch the ammeter. It should taper down from the maximum charge rate of the charger (5A, 10A or whatever the charger is rated for) to a trickle charge of 1 to 1-1/2A. The ammeter will need to be capable of handling the maximum current output of the charger. If the current stays high, the battery may be bad or the charger is defective. If the battery has been boiled before it is probably toast which would make one wonder if the charger really is bad.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: 3 Bank Charger ?

He put some new batteries in it and I have not talked to him since but I will give him this info and see what he says.
He also said it had been plugged in since last spring.
I'm just wondering if the trickle charge could have cooked them being plugged in that long.

 

[BillP]

Re: 3 Bank Charger ?

Yes a trickle charger can cook them dry if not checked periodically but all the 3 bank Guest marine chargers I'm aware of are smart and won't overcharge or cook them dry. Your friend can take his batts to a big box marine shop (WM) and get them checked. Make sure they were on a charger at least a few hrs beforehand.

bp

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: 3 Bank Charger ?

He put all new batteries in and plugged it up and said he had 4 red lights at first, that I don't understand where the 4th red light is from, but he said after a bit he went and checked and he had 1 green light so I guess it is charging ok.