Battery Charger...Should I change it?

[RobnBern]

Hi everyone,

I've got a '95 370 DA with the original battery charger. I put agm batteries in the boat, except the gennie battery, and I'm reading things that make me think I should change to a new style charger. I know I should probably make ALL batteries either AGM or some other maintenance free. I'm just not sure 1. if I NEED to get a new charger, 2. What type to get and 3. How difficult it is to change. Any ideas?

Thanks

RJ

 

[kaz911]

Changing chargers is easy. And if your current charger is from '95 I think you will find the more modern chargers are a lot better at keeping your batteries in peak condition. You current charger will work with AGM batteries (you do not need to change engine alternators to use an AGM battery) - but you will get better life out of your AGMs if you do change the charger. The charge profiles are slightly different from Wet cell to AGMs.

You could also consider an inverter/charger where it can supply A/C from batteries since you will have a lot more available AMPs if you change to AGM. Good inverter/chargers are Victron/Mastervolt or Xantrex. But they add about $800 to the investment vs. a normal high quality marine charger.

I would change everything to AGM. SeaRay is now supplying all AGM batteries for Axius (joystick) operated Mercruisers since they deliver more power (and the Axius system needs more power). My "new to me" 310DA got upgraded to 4 Optima Bluetops directly from Merc/Sea Ray before I got it. So no specific starter batteries installed.

The advantage with AGM's is that they can charge very fast (very small internal resistance) compared to normal batteries. And you can discharge "harder" than normal Wet cell batteries. So you end up having more available Amp Hours for usage on batteries of the same Ah rating.

And as I have said before - I prefer Lifeline. There are reports on CSR of 9 years life on the Lifeline AGMs. I have not had Lifeline that long in my old boat but they are much better than the Wet Cells I had in before. I had Optima Bluetops in my old sail boat - and they could not take the heat and died after about 18 months. But in cooler weather they seem to perform well. Other brands are Sears, Roll's and other OEM brands.

 

[Bob & Sue]

I would also look at ProMariner thier customer service and warranty is one of the best in the industry with a large selection of marine chargers.

 

[xravenx]

RJ,

Changed the original one in my boat a few months ago, would no longer charge the batteries. It was a Promariner 30, probably like what you have now. I went with a ProNautic 12-30P, it is a 30 amp, 3 bank charger. Took about a half hour to pull the old one out and install the new one, as you know you can stand right in front of it. I have all wet cells but there are different settings depending on what type of batteries you have. Very easy DIY job, I paid $295 for it.

 

[JimFromMD]

Hi everyone,

I've got a '95 370 DA with the original battery charger. I put agm batteries in the boat, except the gennie battery, and I'm reading things that make me think I should change to a new style charger. I know I should probably make ALL batteries either AGM or some other maintenance free. I'm just not sure 1. if I NEED to get a new charger, 2. What type to get and 3. How difficult it is to change. Any ideas?

Thanks

RJ

I went to AGMs and changed mine out for the promariner 1240P (40 amp 3 banks). Same as the picture below, just 40 amp vice 30 amp. It was a super easy swap. The only hiccup was that the factory wires to the old charger (PD2030) had closed loop crimp on ends which did not fit over the new screw down posts on the promariner.

Of course after all my preparations and manual reading etc, Murphy sent me back out to the auto parts store for new crimp on ends with bigger gauge wire opening and bigger loops. This time I took the charger with me, since there are plastic dividers between each post, which makes it even more challenging to find the right sized crimp on end. (Take yours to the store with you before heading to the boat. Autozone has what you need!)

The new charger is great, as is its multi speed cooling fan, which I never hear anymore unlike the old one.