Powermania Chargers - opinion?

[billwilletts]

I have 4 new banks of Rolls batteries to the tune of $6,000 and I wanted to switch to a 3 phase charger to keep them healthy and hopefully last a long time. The Newmar only does 3 banks. I found this Powermania unit which is 30 amp out and 4 banks. It has the same output as the others. Has anyone had any experience with these? They seem too inexpensive to be true.

http://www.powermaniausa.com/m430.html

 

[Boatsb]

Your missing the important parts of proper selection of chargers.

30 amp output is too small for any vessel over 30 feet with basic DC needs.

You need a larger charger or more probably 2 units for 2 banks each.

I reworked a 55 viking with 4 12 volt banks with 2 chargers. 60 amps each.

 

[Jay]

Scott, what is the practical benefit (besides redundancy) for your install of 2 chargers vs one larger unit with greater output? Noticed also in your photo that there actually 3 installed chargers! Don't these chargers have multiple bank capability? Reason I ask is that I am going to replace my (single) charger on the 41c (12v/40amp) and you now have me rethinking my 1:1 swap with a victron. What am I missing? Thanks.

 

[Boatsb]

The charger beneath is for the 24 volt thruster bank. There is also a second 24 volt engine start charger ( 2 banks) on this boat.

First and foremost is the power to remember recharge the batteries quickly. Size matters here.

On the picture I used 2 60 amp chargers with 2 of 3 banks used on each for 4 total banks.

I do not know of a 4 bank 120 amp 12 volt charger. I believe it would have also required 240 volts and rewiring the ac feeds for the chargers.

I have a 41c. A 40 amp charger is marginal if you use a lot of dc. 50 or 60 is suggested. I sell more phoenix 12/50 chargers into boats like mine as the 4 stage smart charger and remote is well liked.

FWIW I replace more xantrex chargers than any others. Than old Charles and other cheap modern ones.

 

[billwilletts]

How do you post photos?!! no matter how i do it they will not post or link. I get an error message but it doesn't tell what the error is

Anyway - the charger i have now is a large Sentry and it isn't very old but i don't think it is a 3 phase charger. Will this shorten the life of my $6000 batteries?

 

[Boatsb]

3 bank or 3 phase?

That's a big difference.

Are all the banks 12 volt?

Isn't the boat 32 volt?

 

[jim rosenthal]

I have a Xantrex 40A on my boat. When it finally packs up, I will get a Victron or Phoenix. For six thousand bucks worth of batteries, I would install the best chargers I could afford- and multiple chargers with not all the outputs on each in use seems like a good way to go.

 

[Boatsb]

That's a lot of battery bucks. I'd be making sure the charger is the right type and voltage.

Jim.

The victron phoenix is the more advanced charger. The centaur a bit less. Both have remote panels available.