T&T: Battery Chargers

[Frank Burrows]

I am searching for a new three stage battery charger to replace my old 
ferroresonant charger that came with the boat. I have two starting 
batteries and a generator battery that are charged by the current charger. 
The inverter charges its batteries. I purchased and downloaded the 
Powerboat Reports dated 10/2005. They really recommended the Mastervolt 
because it "has it all". Then they said that the Newmar might be a better 
value.

The Mastervolt was really appealing because it can be accessed with a PC 
and has a remote that tells what is going on. I was thinking about 
springing the extra money to get this unit until I discovered how it really 
works. The Mastervolt 12/25/3 can charge three batteries at once. The bad 
news is that it can charge one battery at 19 amps and the other two at 3 
amps each. I had a hard time believing this and I called their technical 
support person who confirmed this. According to him, all of their multiple 
battery chargers work this way. I was surprised that Powerboat Reports did 
not pick this up.

I also looked at Newmar and their charger will distribute the total rated 
output to each of the three loads according to their requirements. A 40 amp 
charger can put all 40 amps to one battery or distribute the 40 amps to 
three depending on need. The bad side of the Newmar is that they only offer 
a simple panel that shows Bulk, accept and float but does not tell you 
which battery is getting what. If you want more info you would have to 
purchase external voltmeters and ampmeters.

The new XC Xantrec chargers look close to what I want but I know that if 
there are problems, they don't repair anything.

Anyone found a better solution with a unit that has better built in 
instrumentation?

thanks



Frank Burrows     Destiny   1979  43'  Viking MY
      Piney Narrows     Chesapeake Bay