Need new battery charger info

[Bill Root]

The 32V LaMarche charger in BUFFALO GAL has bit the dust. Corrosion has finally gotten to it and cost to repair is almost as much as cost to replace.

Since I have to replace the charger, it seems now would be a good time to get rid of the old Ferro-resonant technology that delivers a small charge all the time, and install one that has bulk, absorption and float capability. I believe that's what is referred to as a "smart" charger.

Are there any particular things I should be considering? The only brands I can find that make a 32V multi-bank smart charger are Sentry and Newmar. Has anyone had experience with either of these? Are there any other brands I should be looking at?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Boatsb]

Senrty is fr. It would also be the first one I recommend to a customer.

 

[holtcl]

I had a new Sentry installed last year and seems to be doing ok. I notice that with the cut in cut out adjustment dialed in properly I am not having to add water to the batteries like I used to have to do with the old one, but I still check them once a month and occasionally (e.g., in the hot months) have to add a bit.


Cheryl
Cinderella
1971 53 MY

 

[MikeP]

FWIW, according to Rolls, if you don't have to add water occasionally to flooded batts, they aren't being properly charged. Of course, there's a huge difference between having to add 2 gallons a month (total for the 8 batts) needed if the old LaMarche was running full time, and the half gallon a couple times a year that now occurs with our Outback.

 

[luckydave215]

I have the Newmar and love it.
Much less water usage and no more of the "bright/dim" lighting as the ferroresonant battery fryer cycles on and off.
Silent too.

 

[GJH]

A few people on here seem to be fairly happy with the Analytics. Before the late Steve Pooler (SP Coolin', RIP) set me straight on fixing my Sentry, after some study I decided on a NewMar; super quality, made and supported in the US, nice people. Fortunately the Sentry is field serviceable in place and I (and the batteries) have been extremely happy with mine since replacing the control board 3 1/2 years ago. I believe they can be repaired by almost any certified CruiseAir (same company) tech, which is who did mine.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I have an Analytic and it does a nice job. If you order one, get the optional digital readout on it.

http://www.wmjmarine.com/bca1000-220-32.html

The Analytic was on the boat before I installed the Outback Inverter/Charger so now I have a backup charger. I usually use the Analytic while at the dock, but I like to use the Outback when charging from generator power because it charges faster.

 

[Bill Root]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm wondering what the difference is between the Sentry and the Newmar technology, other than that the Newmar can be used with all three types of batteries and the Sentry appears to be for lead acid only.

From reading the product specs and Scott's post the Sentry seems to be basically the same FR technology as the LaMarche, but with a switch that shuts the charger down when the batteries are fully charged, then starts it up again when the bank charge falls below a certain level.
How is that different from the Newmar that has "bulk/absorption/float" charging levels?

 

[Bill Herrin]

I used to sell Newmar stuff back in the 70's when it was Newport Marine Engineering. The company was started by an engineer from Bendix and was truly rigorous in making rugged and solid products. From what I've seen lately nothing has changed in the company's approach to it's products and if they made something that met my needs they'd be my first choice as a supplier...

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Maybe this has changed, but several years ago Newmar showed several 32v chargers in their catalog, but the largest ones (most amp output) had not actually ever been produced. When I called them, they said that there was just not enough demand for them and they were not going to make any.

 

[GJH]

They still show the 32v smart charger in their newest catalog and on line. Lots of new products introduced by the way, including a new line of inverters and cool looking generator power monitor and engine function monitor.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

They still show the 32v smart charger in their newest catalog and on line. Lots of new products introduced by the way, including a new line of inverters and cool looking generator power monitor and engine function monitor.

That was the point. You need to call them to be sure. I was surprised that they still listed them when they don't actually produce them.

 

[LARRY VALENTINE]

I threw out the old La Marche and installed a Newmar . I am extremely pleased with the results. This was 3 months ago and I was able to go on a 30 day vacation without worrying about cooking my batteries, which by the way are golf cart batteries as starter batteries. Larry V.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

The problem I found with the 32v Newmar chargers that were available a few years ago was the total amperage output was very low. When I'm anchored out, I want to cut recharge time to a minimum and Newmar wasn't producing a charger with those outputs. As I said earlier, it was in their catalog, but they would not make one. Maybe that has changed. My Outback puts out 60 amps and my Analytic will go to 20 amps per bank. I think the Newmar was only 10 amps.

How many amps is your charger, Larry?

 

[jim rosenthal]

I think Sentry makes modern smart chargers these days. I remember looking through their catalot a few years back. Their stuff is nice- not the least expensive, but YGWYPF.

Everyone I've ever talked with who had an Outback LOVED it. FWIW