charles marine chargers? How long do you expect them to last?

[mesquito_creek]

Is there a life expectancy to on board chargers on the ac converter circuit? Is there something in them that "wears" out or can they last a lifetime if nothing fails. I have a bad one... I am replacing it. Wondering if I should try to have the old one "fixed" because who can't find a use for an extra charger? Is there a common failure etc... The documentation on my boat suggest that this may be the second charger to fail over a 17 year period.

 

[Bob & Sue]

Chargers are like anything else I had a Charles 20 amp that was original 1999 never had a problem with it. You might just have an internal fuse blown, there not worth fixing. Buy a smart charger older charges don't have a trickle mode they can damage batteries if plugged in to shore power 24/7. Charles makes a direct replacement no re-routing of wires or wire size. I went with a Pronautic it took a couple hours to install all wires were the correct size pretty much plug & play.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I would guess that the bilge area temp sitting in the dock all summer in AZ is probably 120 degrees most of the time... And that since motors are running at 160+ degrees maybe its 150 in there after running the motors... I don't think electronics like heat and its pretty hot here. So I am hoping its just normal wear and tear replacement type deal... Yes, I have a new direct replacement from charles ready to go in this weekend...

 

[Groucho]

I had a bad one on my prior boat...I called Charles and they sold me another one for 1/2 price.
Worth a shot!