Inverter and Charger or Inveter/Charger combo

[2000SEARAY280SS]

The original Pro Mariner chargers on my 2000 Searay was a Ferro-Resonant charger that like skolbe said would eventually boil off your batteries. My 280SS even has a note on the dash suggesting you check your batteries.

The new Pro Mariner replacement chargers are 3 stage chargers. I was concerned about boiling off my batteries so I have been watching the new Pro M charger and have not had any issues for about 6 months. I do not leave the charger on all the time usually about three to four days at a time. The only reason I would suggest going with the Pro M as a replacement only if they give you a good deal.

 

[Nehalennia]

Hey Mike
Thanks again. Here's a better picture I got today of what I have.

It is a Pro Mariner. I may call them to see what they think if it's worth repairing

 

[jg300da]

I had the same unit on my 1999 260DA. I sent it to them for repair and they sent me a new unit no charge even though the old unit was out of warranty by a year.

 

[JAndrewG]

Todd,

This is off thread, but I just noticed that you're using a new photo on your signature.

I know that building very well. Waaay back in May '87 I bought my leftover '86 300WE from Kevin. This was back when he was an owner and a salesman too. Later in the '90's, I got to know a salesman there that was the top SR salesman in the country, I think, for several years. I'm in the graphics business, and he'd call me for all of the 'fun' boat names; Microsoft execs, radio DJ's, etc. I was there several times a year for many years until my friend moved on.

The neat part was that I never drove there, I'd load up my Montauk and run across the sound, go through the locks, and pull up to Lake Union Sea Ray. We'd almost always go to lunch after. It was the coolest way to blow off a day now and then that I've ever come up with...

Oh and yes, the scotch treated me very well as always. Brownsville Yacht Club hosted a nice party, and the wife and I slept like babies on the 340 in her boat house. Got up fresh in the morning.

Hope you had a good one as well-

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

That looks a lot like the same unit I got with my boat that was broke. It can charge three batteries. 20/3 Go to the Pro M web site and download the manual. There is a reset power on connect disconnect sequence in the manual that might reset it. I doubt it will work but you might want to try it.

The boat in the signature looks great.

 

[Nehalennia]

I have mentioned that the Charger on the boat we just bought had a Charger that was DOA.
It's Professional Mariner unit that is older and now discontinued.

For giggles I call Pro Mariner and asked the Tech 'Bob' (Nice guy), if there was any reason to send it in and repair it. He said no, there are much better chargers they offer and said once I know my house battery configuration give him a call back and they'd sell us one at 50% off.

Well I wasn't expecting that, so I have solved my dilema of whether to buy and inverter/charger v separate inverter and charger. I think I'll get that charger and now Call Xantrex and see if that Xantrex inverter Doug "GoAweighTo" found at Costco for $89.00 is the way to go vs. the Xantrex Prosine 1800 which is close to $1000.00

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

The original Pro Mariner chargers on my 2000 Searay was a Ferro-Resonant charger that like skolbe said would eventually boil off your batteries. My 280SS even has a note on the dash suggesting you check your batteries.

The new Pro Mariner replacement chargers are 3 stage chargers. I was concerned about boiling off my batteries so I have been watching the new Pro M charger and have not had any issues for about 6 months. I do not leave the charger on all the time usually about three to four days at a time. The only reason I would suggest going with the Pro M as a replacement only if they give you a good deal.

I have had my boat and Pro M charger hooked up for the last two weeks and it is working out good. The indicator is green and there is a small charge going to the batteries. The water is not boiling off and the charge is right around 13 volts.

I’m still trying to figure my battery needs out for my inverter set up. Looking at the Rolls line and they have a good website for helping you figure what battery configuration will fit in your space. I’m looking to power my A/C reverse heat unit while on the hook and it requires 5.5 amps @120 for A/C and 6.6 amps @ 120 volts. From what I have seen I am going to need a separate battery bank.

Todd what are you hoping to power from the house battery with your inverter?

 

[Sorrento 25]

Check out Sun Electronics at sunelec dot com.

 

[Nehalennia]

There is a Microwave, which while on the hook would be used very little. I can see the Admiral and I making coffee. I bought a grill today so cooking would be on that primarily. Other than that, not too much, but a house bank of some level would be nice. Once I figure out how many or size of batteries I figure maybe a small TV/DVD combo, but for now I have a small 7" DVD player the kids use and it can recharge on either 12VDC or 120VAC. I haven't as yet calculated what those AMP/HRS compute to but that's what Pro mariner asked for, so I want to figure it out soon.

Thanks for your input

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

I figured .5 hours for both the microwave and the coffee pot and came up with 35 and 40 amp-hrs for each of these devices.

For the TV I figured a flat screen at 50 watts and came up with 15 amp-hrs with it being used to watch a movie for 3 hours.

I will most likly use a PC for the TV/DVD since it can also be used as a PC and costs a lot less or display a portable DVD player on my M121.

I used an efficenciency rating of 85%.

A refer that is a fridge for you florida guys runs for 12 hours and uses 282 amp-hours.

 

[Nehalennia]

Duh, I totally forgot the fridge.

 

[Nehalennia]

I have mentioned that the Charger on the boat we just bought had a Charger that was DOA.
It's Professional Mariner unit that is older and now discontinued.

For giggles I call Pro Mariner and asked the Tech 'Bob' (Nice guy), if there was any reason to send it in and repair it. He said no, there are much better chargers they offer and said once I know my house battery configuration give him a call back and they'd sell us one at 50% off.

Well I wasn't expecting that, so I have solved my dilema of whether to buy and inverter/charger v separate inverter and charger. I think I'll get that charger and now Call Xantrex and see if that Xantrex inverter Doug "GoAweighTo" found at Costco for $89.00 is the way to go vs. the Xantrex Prosine 1800 which is close to $1000.00

I just called Pro Mariner and Ordered the 1240i Plus Charger.
They needed my serial Number on my old one and are sending it UPS ground for $250.00.
ProMariner 1240i plus

 

[jg300da]

Looks like a nice unit. The additional length wont be an issue?

 

[Nehalennia]

I'm not sure yet, but I may block it off of where the existing one sits anyway.

 

[Nehalennia]

Looks like a nice unit. The additional length wont be an issue?

I looked at the area the new charger will go over the weekend and it should not be an issue.


Update:
I spoke to Pro Mariner. the ProTech does not have a monitor option.
They were to ship the ProTech 1240i Unit today, but they offered to not send that one and send the ProNautic with a monitor for another $185. I'm going to do that because to me the monitor should be a great tool.

 

[Nehalennia]

I finally have mine done. They sent the new charger (which has the correct firmware) and It works!!!

Here is the backboard I made

New Charger in place

Remote display install~ one more set of holes to drill

Done...and working nicely

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

Nice install. It is nice to have the display when you are on shore power to status your battery states. I am still working my inverter install separate post. I am starting the A/C wiring an will post some pics when its done.

 

[JV II]

Nice install. It is nice to have the display when you are on shore power to status your battery states. I am still working my inverter install separate post. I am starting the A/C wiring an will post some pics when its done.

Any idea how to monitor the state of the house battery. Is there a monitor that will give you that "gas guage" like readout to let you know how low you are cycling the battery?

 

[Nehalennia]

Any idea how to monitor the state of the house battery. Is there a monitor that will give you that "gas guage" like readout to let you know how low you are cycling the battery?

I will get a separate inverter (Xantrex Pro1800) that has a Display for it which when shore power is off and can analyze the house batts. 2000SEARAY280SS has a Prosine I believe which is both a charger and inverter, and also has a remote display.

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

Any idea how to monitor the state of the house battery. Is there a monitor that will give you that "gas guage" like readout to let you know how low you are cycling the battery?

Copied from the internet.
http://www.solaralaska.com/primer/battery.htm
The state of charge of a lead acid battery can be checked in several ways. The first, and arguably easiest method is to measure the voltage of the battery bank. A fully charged 12 volt battery will read about 12.7 volts at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. (double this for 24 volt systems) By the time the voltage reads 12.2, it is 50% discharged, and at 11.9 it is considered empty. The problem with measuring charge in this way is that if there has been any recent activity (charging or discharging) in the batteries, the readings will be highly inaccurate, and temperature can also adversely affect the reading. The second method to determine the state of charge is to use a hydrometer. By measuring the specific gravity of the battery bank, the hydrometer can give you an accurate indication of remaining energy. For example, a fully charged battery may read 1.270, at 50% read 1.190, and at 1.100 be discharged. Hydrometer readings should be adjusted for temperature, and should be performed with the batteries at rest for at least ½ hour. The third and most convenient way to measure battery capacity is with an amp hour meter. These totalizing meters measure energy flow into and out of the battery and keep a running total of available energy at any given instant. Although they may require occasional resynchronization, these meters are very accurate and provide at a glance insight into the state of your system.


I just noticed I removed my name and boats name from my sig. It was kind of funny being called 2000SEARAY280SS. I installed a Prosine 2.0 inverter charger in the captain’s seat base. on Friday. A AMP Hour meter would be the way to go for keeping tabs on a house battery remaining capacity.