Charger/Battery Monitor Recommendation
- Thread starter jritsema
- Start date
colbysmith
Active member
Even before reading the above replies, my wife suggested the same thing. Next step is to go back in the files and find which covers folks were purchasing. Unless someone has the information before I get to it.
Ok, found the thread. Looks like the Imtra 40154 is what every one was getting. I found that specific model at an online dealer I've never used. However, I also found 40155 at Defender.com, which I'd prefer to use. The only difference I can see in these two model numbers is white vs. dream white. The 154 being dream white. Has anyone used the 155, or is the 154 a good color match?
Colby
Ok, found the thread. Looks like the Imtra 40154 is what every one was getting. I found that specific model at an online dealer I've never used. However, I also found 40155 at Defender.com, which I'd prefer to use. The only difference I can see in these two model numbers is white vs. dream white. The 154 being dream white. Has anyone used the 155, or is the 154 a good color match?
Colby
colbysmith
Active member
Did some more research on past threads, and it looks like either color will work. Defender had them on sale ending tonight, so I went ahead and ordered. Hope everyone is still happy with these hatch covers that got them... Colby
Colby-Sorry not to get back sooner, but we were in New Orleans...!!
The white is fine, and what I used. I had the shunt in that lazarett and no corrosion--you can and should use a non corrosive grease when you put the wires on the bolts. I used a piece of split heavy duty water hose, which I placed over the shunt, that way no accidental water would cause issues. It was large enough to arch over the shunt.
The white is fine, and what I used. I had the shunt in that lazarett and no corrosion--you can and should use a non corrosive grease when you put the wires on the bolts. I used a piece of split heavy duty water hose, which I placed over the shunt, that way no accidental water would cause issues. It was large enough to arch over the shunt.
colbysmith
Active member
I like the large hose idea over it. But I think I will make a "rubber flap" to position over it. That and the new hatch covers should keep it dry. Thanks for the info on the White. Colby
JeffKelly68
New member
Hi guys,
Figured this could be the right place to post this question. I'm in the market for a new battery charger, looking for a marine supply that has good prices. Wanted to see if you had any recommendations
My first choice is the usual suspects:
https://www.westmarine.com/mounted-battery-chargers
Have had some good experiences with these guys as well:
https://citimarinestore.com/en/172-marine-battery-chargers
Any other brands / hidden gems you'd recommend, especially for battery chargers?
Other question is, what brand would you recommend? Personal experiences with the chargers?
I'm considering:
Mastervolt
Promariner
Noco
Minn Kota
Guest
Appreciate any advice / opinions, and thanks!
Figured this could be the right place to post this question. I'm in the market for a new battery charger, looking for a marine supply that has good prices. Wanted to see if you had any recommendations
My first choice is the usual suspects:
https://www.westmarine.com/mounted-battery-chargers
Have had some good experiences with these guys as well:
https://citimarinestore.com/en/172-marine-battery-chargers
Any other brands / hidden gems you'd recommend, especially for battery chargers?
Other question is, what brand would you recommend? Personal experiences with the chargers?
I'm considering:
Mastervolt
Promariner
Noco
Minn Kota
Guest
Appreciate any advice / opinions, and thanks!
JeffKelly68
New member
Think I'll go the ProMariner ProNautic route.
Thank you for the suggestions :thup
Thank you for the suggestions :thup
I would add Blue Seas and Victron to the list, and remove Guest. The Promariner, has several different lines. The Pro Nautic is the one you want.
Look at the pricing and availability. West Marine is going to be down the list as far as price is concerned--I had asked about some common bottom paint at my local store Friday. In the past, I would have been told what store had the paint--and if they could have it shipped to them via the Port Supply truck assuming it was a nearby store. This time I was told to order it thru the internet--if they had it!
West Marine has been owned by venture capitalists for the last 10 or so years. Currently a Mr. Kufel is the CEO. He served as the CEO of CorePower Yoga, building the company into the largest yoga studio operator in the U.S. Mr. Kufel currently serves as a Director of Leslie's, Inc., and Truck Hero, the leading provider of functional aftermarket accessories for pickup trucks and Jeep® vehicles. You can see how much marine business experience he has had!
Look at the pricing and availability. West Marine is going to be down the list as far as price is concerned--I had asked about some common bottom paint at my local store Friday. In the past, I would have been told what store had the paint--and if they could have it shipped to them via the Port Supply truck assuming it was a nearby store. This time I was told to order it thru the internet--if they had it!
West Marine has been owned by venture capitalists for the last 10 or so years. Currently a Mr. Kufel is the CEO. He served as the CEO of CorePower Yoga, building the company into the largest yoga studio operator in the U.S. Mr. Kufel currently serves as a Director of Leslie's, Inc., and Truck Hero, the leading provider of functional aftermarket accessories for pickup trucks and Jeep® vehicles. You can see how much marine business experience he has had!
I would add Blue Seas and Victron to the list, and remove Guest. The Promariner, has several different lines. The Pro Nautic is the one you want.
Look at the pricing and availability. West Marine is going to be down the list as far as price is concerned--I had asked about some common bottom paint at my local store Friday. In the past, I would have been told what store had the paint--and if they could have it shipped to them via the Port Supply truck assuming it was a nearby store. This time I was told to order it thru the internet--if they had it!
West Marine has been owned by venture capitalists for the last 10 or so years. Currently a Mr. Kufel is the CEO. He served as the CEO of CorePower Yoga, building the company into the largest yoga studio operator in the U.S. Mr. Kufel currently serves as a Director of Leslie's, Inc., and Truck Hero, the leading provider of functional aftermarket accessories for pickup trucks and Jeep® vehicles. You can see how much marine business experience he has had!
Look at the pricing and availability. West Marine is going to be down the list as far as price is concerned--I had asked about some common bottom paint at my local store Friday. In the past, I would have been told what store had the paint--and if they could have it shipped to them via the Port Supply truck assuming it was a nearby store. This time I was told to order it thru the internet--if they had it!
West Marine has been owned by venture capitalists for the last 10 or so years. Currently a Mr. Kufel is the CEO. He served as the CEO of CorePower Yoga, building the company into the largest yoga studio operator in the U.S. Mr. Kufel currently serves as a Director of Leslie's, Inc., and Truck Hero, the leading provider of functional aftermarket accessories for pickup trucks and Jeep® vehicles. You can see how much marine business experience he has had!
colbysmith
Active member
I'd recommend that Mastervolt Chargemaster. Great 3 stage charger.
I have the: https://www.hodgesmarine.com/mas4401025 ... gKbI_D_BwE. I've owned two of them now and been very happy with them. The first one I installed in my previous CD-22, and then when I bought my CD-25 I replaced the Guest charger in it with this one also. Colby
I have the: https://www.hodgesmarine.com/mas4401025 ... gKbI_D_BwE. I've owned two of them now and been very happy with them. The first one I installed in my previous CD-22, and then when I bought my CD-25 I replaced the Guest charger in it with this one also. Colby
smckean (Tosca)
New member
Unless the installation location is damp or subject to some water intrusion like mine is (under the splashwell); then you want one of their other models.
gulfcoast john
New member
I second add Blue Seas P12 series and remove Guest.
We run three Group 31 AGM’s; Blue Seas recommends the 40 amp charger for that. They have a unique capability to place each of three batteries into pre-float mode independently. Great US tech support right there in Bellingham. Five year (!) warranty.
Mine had the screen go dark four years into the five year warranty. I called tech support and a friendly voice picked up on the first ring. On verifying it had a 120v input and my warranty registration, he said ‘I’ll send you a new one Fed Ex today with a prepaid return Fed Ex label. Just put the failed unit in the new unit box and send it back.’
No waiting for their engineers to verify it hadn’t been subjected to a lightning strike, operator error (always a possibility with me) etc etc. Just my word and a new $800 (retail) unit is on the way. No down time!
Downside: pricey, but you get what you pay for.
Victron 712 battery monitor to the House battery plus Blue Seas four-digit voltage gauge to the Helm bus.
If you have a better battery charger Customer Service story, sing out!
Happy shopping!
John
We run three Group 31 AGM’s; Blue Seas recommends the 40 amp charger for that. They have a unique capability to place each of three batteries into pre-float mode independently. Great US tech support right there in Bellingham. Five year (!) warranty.
Mine had the screen go dark four years into the five year warranty. I called tech support and a friendly voice picked up on the first ring. On verifying it had a 120v input and my warranty registration, he said ‘I’ll send you a new one Fed Ex today with a prepaid return Fed Ex label. Just put the failed unit in the new unit box and send it back.’
No waiting for their engineers to verify it hadn’t been subjected to a lightning strike, operator error (always a possibility with me) etc etc. Just my word and a new $800 (retail) unit is on the way. No down time!
Downside: pricey, but you get what you pay for.
Victron 712 battery monitor to the House battery plus Blue Seas four-digit voltage gauge to the Helm bus.
If you have a better battery charger Customer Service story, sing out!
Happy shopping!
John
JeffKelly68
New member
These extra points give me much to think about.
Victron is another one I didn't consider... Blue Seas as well.
Thank you for the insights gentlemen, I have to do a bit more homework now, but your opinions really help me weigh the different options.
Also, didn't know that about West Marine, thataway. Good to know that about the company... wasn't a big fan for some time now already.
Victron is another one I didn't consider... Blue Seas as well.
Thank you for the insights gentlemen, I have to do a bit more homework now, but your opinions really help me weigh the different options.
Also, didn't know that about West Marine, thataway. Good to know that about the company... wasn't a big fan for some time now already.
I just went with a Victron charger, it includes blue tooth and was reasonable in price. I also added a Victron smart shunt for battery monitoring on Bluetooth. There are cheap battery monitors on Amazon but the Victron can monitor usage on the house bank and voltage on the starter.
On the C Dory 25, Thataway, we had two "house" battery banks. One for the lights, pumps and normal "boat use", the second was liFePO4, which gives it a different charging profile. This second bank was just to run refrigeration and the freezer, plus an inverter for induction cooking and microwave. We had a monitor on each of the banks. I have experimented with one of the Amazon's cheap copy of the Victron (about $45) in another li battery system I use in the truck for refrigeration and it works quite well so far. For the most part voltage is really all which is necessary on the starting battery, unless it is used for other purposes.