What battery charger and advice pls ????

richardjawilson · 02 July 2008, 13:28

I will be moving my boat from Cadogan Pier, London down to Blackness Marine on the fabulous river Dart. I will not be able to access the boat as often as before. Regarding batteries, my thoughts were to remove both batteries from the boat and keep them at home, fully topped up so I dont have any flat battery issues when I go down there.

Firstly, is this an good idea to keep removing them, I know its a bit of a pain

Secondly, what charger should I buy? I dont mind spending a few pounds on it. Would it be sensible to get a discharge facility on it in order to cycle it over the winter?

regards richard

C2 RIBS · 02 July 2008, 14:06

Hi Richard, I did the same over last winter removed the batteries twice to give them a full discharge and charge with one off the following from CTEK

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/S...?ProductId=104

Go to the site and check them , they are good and did not let me down.

codprawn · 02 July 2008, 14:33

I picked one up almost identical to that for £20 in Lidel - it's great to leave on if you have shore power.

Otherwise machine Mart do some nice metal cased chargers for home use.

richardjawilson · 02 July 2008, 15:15

have had a look at the CTEK site, products look good.........ideal for when i buy the ferrari as well !!!!

C2 RIBS · 02 July 2008, 16:00

Yes the Ctek are good but as for advice on removing and leaving the boat in the water, I would just do one at a time leaving the other battery to manage the bilge pump, worst case scenario you remove the batteries and your cover fails- boat fills with rain water or takes on water that is not pumped out.

Nick Hearne · 02 July 2008, 16:03

Leave them in the boat, if you do not get down to the boat for at least 6 months then it may become a problem!
If not how about one of the jump start power packs?

Andy Moore · 02 July 2008, 16:06

Get one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sunsei-6W-So...5014604&sr=8-6

It will keep your battery topped right up and it should be able to run a Rule pump at the same.

A good piece of kit. Much better made than the crappy ones from Maplins etc.

codprawn · 02 July 2008, 17:53

My boat is left for months at a time and the bilge pump has to shift far more water than most - we get more rain and I have no cover on a massive deck.

I charge my battery perhaps every 4 months and it's fine - it is pretty big - a 120a/h.

i have a solar panel connected now but in the depths of winter it's pointless.

richardjawilson · 03 July 2008, 08:34

I will be keeping my boat in the hard. One of the biggest problems I have had was battery drain due to bilge pump use. I have too much weight on the transom, and together with the transom having a cut out (presumably so a standard leg will work on it) it would try and do its best to sink after the batteries went flat.............a real pain.

That problem will now be solved!!!

Thanks for all your advise everyone

Poly · 03 July 2008, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

My boat is left for months at a time ...
I charge my battery perhaps every 4 months and it's fine

cod do you only use your boat 3 times a year? or am I misunderstanding. Surely with marina fees and insurance you would be cheaper chartering if thats all it gets used?

codprawn · 03 July 2008, 10:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

cod do you only use your boat 3 times a year? or am I misunderstanding. Surely with marina fees and insurance you would be cheaper chartering if thats all it gets used?

It's not from choice I promise you.

I am setting up a new business and winding down the old one which takes loads of time. It doesn't help that our harbour is so silted up you only have about 1.5 - 2hrs either side of high water.

Just been offered a place in Swansea marina which has almost constant access so will be able to use the boat a lot more.