Opinions on this "phase charger" for trolling batteries please.

[jtexas]

This device uses alternator output to sense cranking battery fully charged, and electronically connects it in parallel to the trolling battery. Engine off terminates the connection.

Would this not have a detrimental effect on the cranking battery?


from the BPS catalogue:
"Housed in an easily installed 2" x 3" x 1-1/2" package, this XPS 12V Phase Charger senses when the alternator output indicates that the crank battery is charged, then an internal 4-amp relay connects the troll and crank batteries in parallel so that the troll battery is charged while the motor is running. When the motor is turned off, and the alternator output is no longer present, the parallel circuit is opened and the troll and crank batteries are isolated for use. All operations are automatic after installation."

"12 volt systems only"

 

[vipzach]

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Why would it hurt the starting battery? I have been using one of those "phase chargers" for the last two years and my starting battery is atleast 4 years old. So far..................no problems.

 

[jtexas]

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course they wouldn't tell ya to do it if it was bad, but ya hear talk about paralleled batteries have to be the same type...

thanks!

 

[Dunaruna]

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[colour=blue]When the relay closes and begins to charge the deepcycle batt, the starter batt will begin to equalise with it.

IMO - not ideal, the starter batt will die prematurely depending on the depth of cycle on the trolling batt.

Does the relay cycle 'open/close' depending on main batt voltage? I mean, is it constantly sampling voltage and switching accordingly?

 

[jtexas]

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That's what I thought too...but just don't know for sure when you have 2 parallel batteries and a charging voltage.

It senses current rather than voltage. Once open, stays open until it loses the alternator signal.

This is really a moot point for me though, my alternator doesn't put out enough to make a dent in my trollers anyway.

 

[Paul Moir]

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"...internal 4 amp relay..." suggests they're limiting the current between the two batteries when connected in parallel, which wouldn't be a bad thing for either battery really.

What else could it mean?

 

[MASTER Brian]

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That would be cool, but can you get them for 3 batteries? I have 2 trollers, so my I can switch between 12v & 24v at the trolling motor.

 

[jtexas]

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BPS website says only for 12V systems, Brian...wouldn't be surprised to learn somebody else makes one, though, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was better quality than this one, too.

 

[MASTER Brian]

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BPS website says only for 12V systems, Brian...wouldn't be surprised to learn somebody else makes one, though, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was better quality than this one, too.

A 12V one is what I would need. The control for the trolling motor is what makes it 12V or 24V. I just have 3 batteries total, so I would need one for a 12V system that will do 3 batteries instead of 2.

Maybe I could get 2 of them and hook the 1st one between the main battery and the 1st troller battery. Then hook the 2nd one between the 1st and 2nd troller battery. That way, when the main battery is charged it would start charging the 1st trolling battery and when that battery is charged it would start charging the 2nd tolling battery. Don't know if that would work or not....

 

[vipzach]

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BPS website says only for 12V systems, Brian...wouldn't be surprised to learn somebody else makes one, though, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was better quality than this one, too.

If you google "battery combiner" there are lots of different ones out there. Some that will do both 24v and 12v, some that will allow a parallel connection for emergency power. Lots os them that cost more than the $40 or so that the bps one cost.

 

[Boatist]

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I like the idea if your alternator has 30 amps or more output like most I/Os or large Outboards.

If you alternator is 8 to 12 amps then just puts too much load on your alternator and for a drained trolling motor battery would take 15 or more hours to charge a single battery. Two big batteries your looking at 30 hours or more.

 

[tresvatos]

Re: Opinions on this "phase charger" for trolling batteries please.

Re: Opinions on this "phase charger" for trolling batteries please.

Bass pro has this phase charger as well, but how would you use it with your dock/home charger.. If the engine and alternator was off, would it not just charge the start battery and leave the other batt. untouched since it would not have an open connection cause the alternator isnt on...or do you think it could fully charge the crank battery and then sense that full charge and open relay to charge the second ( trolling ) battery..who is confused yet??!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Opinions on this "phase charger" for trolling batteries please.

Re: Opinions on this "phase charger" for trolling batteries please.

4 year old thread