AC Converter Recommendations

[Sageslinger]

98 Searay 270 Sundancer - I believe I have a bad AC converter. My Charles Marine Converter (original) keeps blowing its on board fuse. I have disconnected the batteries and tracked the wiring back to the house panel and everything looks fine and clean, yet it continues to blow the fuse.

It is a 12V, 20 Amp, 2 bank charger.

I have looked at all sorts of models, shapes and sizes. My first reaction was to replace it with the original OEM. Looking around I see there are other less expensive models as wells. I looked at the ProMariner ProSport 20.

Does anybody have any converter recommendations or words of wisdom?

Thanks!

 

[Bob & Sue]

I'd consider something like the ProMariner ProNautic 1220P 20 Amp 3 Bank 12V great warranty & customer service. It will mount easily in your boat I have the same boat it took about 4 hours to complete the installation plus it will give you an extra bank if you ever need it. The diagnostics on these units are hard to beat for the price. They do have a 20 amp 2 bank unit also can't remember they model number.

No experience with the ProSport model.

Here's an ebay link to look at it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ProMariner-...120-/141634302287?hash=item20fa0ff14f&vxp=mtr

 

[Creekwood]

If you run 12v systems while on shorepower, you want a converter, not a charger. I think the prosport is designed to charge, not to run 12v systems continuously. The ProNautic is designed as a converter and charger and is probably a better replacement for the Charles. Its the replacement for the OEM Promariners on the larger Sea Rays.

 

[bbwhitejr]

I just installed a Promariner 1240P and love it. The diagnostics are great as is the warranty and Customer Service.

Bennett

 

[Bob & Sue]

If you run 12v systems while on shorepower, you want a converter, not a charger. I think the prosport is designed to charge, not to run 12v systems continuously. The ProNautic is designed as a converter and charger and is probably a better replacement for the Charles. Its the replacement for the OEM Promariners on the larger Sea Rays.

I would disagree with the ProSport only being a charger both ProSport & Pronautic are chargers the AC Converter is the terminology used meaning it converts 120/240 AC volts to 12/24 etc DC volts to charge and maintain your batteries while on genny or shore power. Your 12 volt system runs off the batteries while plugged in to shore power or not, if you turn your battery switch to off while on shore power the 12 volt system is off. The biggest difference I see on ProMariners website is the Prosport is water proof & the Pronautic is DRY MOUNT ONLY.

I'm not an expert by any means maybe someone else will chime in.

http://promariner.com/products/dry-mount-marine-battery-chargers/

 

[Bt Doctur]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141630470626?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

[Sageslinger]

I ordered the one recommended by Bob and Sue, thanks for the advise. It got good reviews across the board other places I looked. Appreciate the help!

 

[Sageslinger]

Wire it up, flipped the switch and it did the rest. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Creekwood]

What did you use the third bank for on the charger? I see 3 wires and you said you had a 2 bank system before. If one of the banks is two batteries in parallel, you should only connect one to the battery charger.

 

[explorer]

98 Searay 270 Sundancer - I believe I have a bad AC converter. My Charles Marine Converter (original) keeps blowing its on board fuse.

I also have a '98 270, and I think I have the same problem. Was yours blowing the AC-side fuse (the one on the left side of the charger)?

Having twin engines, I've got 3 battery banks so I'm debating whether to step up to a 30A ProNautic or just match the 20A that came as original equipment.

 

[wayne0]

I also have a '98 270, and I think I have the same problem. Was yours blowing the AC-side fuse (the one on the left side of the charger)?

Having twin engines, I've got 3 battery banks so I'm debating whether to step up to a 30A ProNautic or just match the 20A that came as original equipment.

ProNautic! I did it and never looked back!

 

[northern]

Question
Did your converter humm loudly when your batteries were low on power. Mine has started to humm when the batteries are low and as they charge the humming gets less.

 

[explorer]

ProNautic! I did it and never looked back!

Shiny new 1220P is sitting on my bench. Might get to install it this weekend if the rain ever lets up. Something about electrical work during a thunderstorm feels wrong :wow:

Question
Did your converter humm loudly when your batteries were low on power. Mine has started to humm when the batteries are low and as they charge the humming gets less.

It hummed for about 3 seconds and then popped the fuse. Don't know how its musical talents were previous to that as I had the boat on a can mooring since I bought it last year. In the spring I found out the house battery was totally cooked (bone dry) so that may be related.

 

[northern]

The converter on my boat would boil the batteries dry over the winter. I have a 140 AMP at 12 volts charger that is also an inverter. I tie it into the start batteries over the winter. Lots of hard switching. I only use the converter to charge the start batteries when I run the generator. In my SeaRay manual it says to keep a load on the batteries when the converter is on.
If you want 120 volt AC an inverter/charger for me has worked well.

 

[LunaSeaRay]

Hey all, my Flyback 20-3 charger in my 1997 270 blew a fuse and isn't working after a new fuse. Is the conversion to the ProNautic straight forward? I.e. the 3 green/white/black wires are still used and it plugs right in? Thanks

 

[wayne0]

Hey all, my Flyback 20-3 charger in my 1997 270 blew a fuse and isn't working after a new fuse. Is the conversion to the ProNautic straight forward? I.e. the 3 green/white/black wires are still used and it plugs right in? Thanks

Simple as pie on my 2000 340.