How do I charge batteries from shorepower?

[cronx]

So apparently my main batteries are being drained by the bilge pumping out rainwater. I did not realize that just because I hooked up the boat to shore power it doesn't mean that the batteries are charging. Great. I would like to purchase a big 'house' battery and put it in the middle between them, install a second bilge pump, and power the emergency backup bilge pump from this house battery, as well as all entertainment electronics from that battery. My thing is. I want all 3 batteries to charge from shore power when engines are off, and from engine when engines are on

I've looked at Cabellas ProSport II onboard charger and was wondering if I hooked up the charger to all 3 batteries.. how do I hook up the charger to shore power? Is shore power DC or AC.. and how does it get routed in the boat

Another thing is.. I have a Guest onboard charger for the 2 batteries.. I'm "guessing" that it charges two batteries from the engine. If I was to hookup the Cabellas Prosport II charger to the 3 batteries, would that overload the charger?

 

[gcboat]

Re: How do I charge batteries from shorepower?

Easy there cronx. You already have an onboard charger with the Guest unit.
It will not operate unless it is plugged into a 110 volt source, i.e. shore power.
Has nothing to do with the motors - that's what your alternators do while they are running.
Now, more than likely it is a pretty simple 30 amp 110 volt charger that just needs an extension cord from the house. However it would be a wise person to double check those number's.
In your boat somewhere will be an electrical panel. Take a look at the switches and find the one marked " batt charge " or similiar. Make sure it's on.
Before this gets really long and boring why don't you post your make, model and year of your boat. That will take a lot of guesswork out of this equation.

 

[rbh]

Re: How do I charge batteries from shorepower?

just like gcboat said "you already have a charger".
follow the ac power cord from the charger to were its pluged into the ac outlet on your boat. ensure you have power at the pluggin, if not check your ac breakers (and your shore power cord is plugged in)
inspect, clean and tighten the wires from charger to the batteries. + and -
check with your multimeter for charging.
rob

 

[snmpgh]

Re: How do I charge batteries from shorepower?

It may be labeled converter, that is how the one on my Regal is labeled. It took me two stright weekends of having to borrow a portable charger from the guy who owns the marina to figure that out.

Mike

 

[cronx]

Re: How do I charge batteries from shorepower?

ohh man I feel dumb. It is a Regal

But yeah I should've read the manual first. Thanks guys, I think I have everything ready to go.. It is a 30 Amp charger. Another issue arises however.. I still want to install a third, 'house' battery to run electronics off when I shut the engine off.. I don't think the Guest battery charger is 10/10/10.. maybe its 15/15? I might still need to replace this charger in order to install the third battery