Battery charger/Shore power

Ashton · 02 January 2013, 22:21

We are berthing in the water on a pontoon this winter, with a view to getting some use of the rib when we can.

The (twin Suzuki engined) rib is fitted with twin batteries and each battery supplies their own bilge pump in the well just inboard ofthe transom. The problem we have is that during prolonged wet weather - and there is no shortage of it!! Both batteries end up getting flattened after a few days, the rib starts filling up and I have to head to the marina, empty the water out, charge batteries etc.

We would like to fit a battery charger and/or shorepower to support the charger. Concerns are finding asuitable charger, longevity of the charger unit in a rib console environment and fire risk. Does anyone have any experience or comments?

All advice welcome...

SIBer · 02 January 2013, 22:51

CTEK are the best there is.
CTEK chargers - the smartest battery chargers in the world! For cars, boats golf carts and other 6, 12 and 24v vehicles.
IP65 and minimal power usage if your shore power is metered.

simon23 · 02 January 2013, 23:13

I have fitted sterling chargers onto live aboard narrowboats with large battery banks being lived on all winter and all the reports i get are good. Also sterling have very good aftersales, when i had a problem they always send me a new item without the B.S.

beamishken · 02 January 2013, 23:57

we have sterling in our cruiser which charges 3 batterys indepenantly & you can select wet cell dry cell gell etc not just a charger but also a battery conditioning unit very good! & built specifically for boats

skippermarky · 03 January 2013, 01:14

c-tek chargers I totally agree, fit and forget the best you can buy a bit pricey but without question the best

IanH · 03 January 2013, 07:56

Its not often that one gets impressed by a mundane device such as a battery charger, but I was impressed by the quality of my recent purchase of a Ctek charger although it was for a different application.

oracle · 03 January 2013, 08:17

I have a couple of small solar panels that I clip on top of the Windscreen rails, they keep a healthy trickle into the batteries and top them up after the pumps run. Won't help if the pumps stick on though they are too small to match the draw from continuous running.

simon23 · 03 January 2013, 08:35

Has anyone ever tried them bellows type bilge pump you fit on your mooring line

jambo · 03 January 2013, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon23

Has anyone ever tried them bellows type bilge pump you fit on your mooring line

Yes being on a swing mooring on the west if Scotland I tried one years ago. Failed on two points as far as I was concerned, need to be a stern as that's where your well is but a rib to stable at stern so no action, if I moved it to now there was to long a feed from the bold he well to the pump. In all because our harbour is fairly sheltered there was not the movement nor was it sustained long enough to make it viable. Hope this helps.

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MikeCC · 03 January 2013, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon23

Has anyone ever tried them bellows type bilge pump you fit on your mooring line

Was going to suggest one of those as a simple alternative. Not my boat but one I go on regularly has used one this summer with generally good effect.

As jambo says, needs to be stern mounted, so a marina is fine.

Obviously it's critical that whoever moors up is aware the pump line needs to be tighter than the warp.

You could consider a cover to avoid water problem in first place?

Pikey Dave · 03 January 2013, 12:12

Another vote for Cetek. I have one on BP & it keeps both batteries charged & conditioned. Fully waterproof & can be permanently wired in if required. Cost about 100 quid.

jambo · 03 January 2013, 12:47

In the winter I take my two bats out in the garage with three phase charger. On mooring I leave it on one plus a solar panel for the trickle to replace the pump draw.

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Ashton · 03 January 2013, 13:19

Thanks for all of the messages so far, the Cetek units seam popular. Does anyone have shorepower on their rib?

ashbypower · 03 January 2013, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo

In the winter I take my two bats out in the garage with three phase charger. On mooring I leave it on one plus a solar panel for the trickle to replace the pump draw.

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Sh1t what size batteries you charging? one hell of a charger that !!!

jambo · 03 January 2013, 14:45

Absolutely huge!! Sorry spotted mistake should have read three stage not phase. Hell of a difference!!!!!!

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ashbypower · 03 January 2013, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo

Absolutely huge!! Sorry spotted mistake should have read three stage not phase. Hell of a difference!!!!!!

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LoL

A1an · 03 January 2013, 16:21

I have 3 of the cTek chargers, I use them for the argocats and Polaris, I've got a plug mounted on the dash so that you can just unplug the charger and go. Really easy to use

simon23 · 03 January 2013, 17:32

Is the sea level below the top of the sump if so put an extra drain above the sea level and live with water in 3/4 of the sump.don't know if its posible,but cheaper and more reliable than all this expensive kit !!!!!!

jambo · 03 January 2013, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon23

Is the sea level below the top of the sump if so put an extra drain above the sea level and live with water in 3/4 of the sump.don't know if its posible,but cheaper and more reliable than all this expensive kit !!!!!!

So in basic terms you are suggesting self-drain from sump with outlet just above sea level therefore hoping to maintain a constant!

SPR · 03 January 2013, 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo

So in basic terms you are suggesting self-drain from sump woth outlet just above seaa level therefore hoping to maintain a constant!

this is what I was told from zodiac - if on mooring leave back bungs open and it will reach its own level- I got fed up with wet feet ! do fitted bilge pump and carry jump start pack.

S.