Any SLX owners have shore power, refrigerator, and Guest 5/5 battery charger?

paulswagelock

paulswagelock

Well-Known Member
Oct 25, 2010
2,200
pa
Boat Info
2018 SDX 270 OB 300 Verado
Engines
Verado 300
After speaking with a tech from Marinco Guest, I was informed that the stock Guest 5/5 charger is not suited to be used in an application that has DC draw (refrigerator for example) while connected to shore power. He told me the charger would be damaged, and maybe the battery would be ruined.

From what I can tell, this is the stock setup from the factory. Anyone have this setup, and used it? Did your charger die or your battery get ruined in a short amount of time?
 
The manual for the 5/5 does say to turn off all accessories while charging. I don't know if that's just boiler-plate or there is a real concern. Is it possible to run your fridge off of 120 while connected to shore power?

On one hand, it doesn't make much sense to me to have that type of restriction on a boat's battery charger, since it is very likely that accessories will be used while at the dock. On the other, for a bow-rider which is likely to be towed, I can see them choosing to go that route assuming that you only hook up the charger when the boat isn't in use. The assumption would seem to be that it's either on the water (charged by engines) or on the trailer (no accessories in use).

I know not everyone will follow that use pattern, but I can see them choosing a lighter-duty (cheaper) charger for that boat.
 
That's dumb. I just bought my SLX and planned on running the fridge while hooked up to shore power to keep drinks cold. Guess I won't do that now.

So then what is the purpose of shore power? Just to keep the batteries charged?
 
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Yes, just to charge the batteries. But one more complication, the Guest 5/5 is not powerful enough to charge the Group 31 batteries specified in the 270 SLX, it is undersized even for that purpose.
 
paulswagelock said:
Yes, just to charge the batteries. But one more complication, the Guest 5/5 is not powerful enough to charge the Group 31 batteries specified in the 270 SLX, it is undersized even for that purpose.
Click to expand...

Is the Guest 5/5 the only one that was available on the boat? I haven't looked at mine specifically to see which one it is.
 
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That is the only one I have seen on the 3 boats I test drove before buying. It is a Guest 10 amp, 5 per channel (5/5), isolated channels so no sending the 10a to one channel.
Blue case with red and green led status indicators on the upper right.

I think they could have a Prosport 12 possibly which could handle charging the battery but still can't run the refrigerator while at dock.

What do you have?
 
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I can't comment on the effectiveness of what you are doing, but yes, the boat could readily power that device as it will draw about 1 amp.
 
So I would be drawing power off the batteries that are being charged at the same time? Or is the onboard plug a direct connection to the shore power?
 
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If the plug connects to shore power, yes, but if it connects to an inverter then no.
 
src said:
If the plug connects to shore power, yes, but if it connects to an inverter then no.
Click to expand...

I'm referring to the outlet under the helm. Is that hooked up to shore power directly or does it go through the inverter?
 
Directly to shore power.
the 270 did not come with an inverter, just a battery charger. All 110 voltage is from shore power and only available when connected to shore power.
 
paulswagelock said:
Directly to shore power.
the 270 did not come with an inverter, just a battery charger. All 110 voltage is from shore power and only available when connected to shore power.
Click to expand...

paulswagelock said:
Btw, it is on sale at Overtons for $69 free shipping

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...-lBLgBCdnJdx5X8yfzHsQIOhbOwY89-XskaAsY18P8HAQ
Click to expand...

Excellent. Thanks for the info. I ended up buying it on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009L675W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
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I was out at my boat today. Mine has a Guest 10/10 (see image below).

pvTYcZA.jpg
 
The 10/10 will charge the batteries fine, but not made to run DC load while on shore power.
for $90 you could fix that though. Your wiring does not look neat and tidy though.
 
I was out at my boat yesterday and found that battery 1 wasn't taking a charge. When I switched to battery one only while on the hook, I found that it was completely dead. The batteries haven't been changed since 2010. I guess it's time to change them out?

I forgot to look and see how many amps the batteries are. Does anyone know?

EDIT: Found it in the owner's manual...

DOUGLAS BATTERY TYPE: 31DCM, ITEM NUMBER: 989 OR EQUIVALENT DIMENSIONS: 13” x 6 13/16” x 10 1/16”
Click to expand...
 
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Time to change them. Batteries sitting uncharged ruin quickly.
Need at least 825 MCA according to the manual. Some group size 31 meet that, some don't. Make sure you check the specs.
 
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