Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Solar Powered Battery Chargers: Facts About Solar Battery Chargers For Boats

By Nelson Saldajeno


Almost all modern day marine electric battery chargers and on-board battery pack chargers these days has dual voltage system capacity both for 12 and 24-volt batteries with adjustable-current charging system like 30, 15 and 6 amps. They are also complete with a three stage charging system that allows it to charge different kinds of batteries to its maximum capability. It works by firstly launching a high current followed by a low current and a much lower current when it is nearly full. The voltage and current stimulated by the charger and the timing between switching from every phase is different depending on the type of battery you use. For instance if you have a Gel Cell battery, you can use the options for this type of battery through display console.

With the included unique software allows it for a slightly lower charge voltage and higher store voltage to protect sensitive true Gel Cell batteries. Using a selector switch, you can toggle between the different kinds of battery packs including Flooded, Gel and AGM cell batteries. Other important features that normally integrated to a more advanced boat battery charger is the capability to conform in any kind of weather condition and ambient temperature, almost all chargers now include a program that permits you to select between different temperature presets. Different temperature configurations affect how the chargers perform to obtain its maximum efficiency even in the coldest and hottest part of the season.

A good charger should have basic safety features built into it apart from the ordinary circuit breaker and glass fuse that usually provided when you purchase them and are also common circuit safety equipment in almost all motor vehicles and large fishing boats. It needs to have an inverted polarity protection circuit to prevent the battery and the charger from short circuiting just in case you unexpectedly miss-wired it.

Many manufacturers even have a fail-safe system that utilizes a timer so that it will instantly turn to servicing mode when it surpasses the normal time it takes to charge a specific type of electric battery. This will ensure that it won't get overcharged and damage the battery pack even if you left it unmonitored. Because you are using it on a boat, you should find one that can endure rust from moisture and salt water. Boats are usually exposed to shocks particularly when there is a storm or huge wave, your product should be shockproof.

Whenever you purchase a completely new unit it often includes all the things you will need to mount and connect it to the battery. It is normally incorporated with the standard mounting bracket and the screws to keep it in place. The wire to connect it to the battery pack and the terminals and alligator clamp for momentary connection are also bundled. The length of the wires is long enough so you can position the charger near the electric battery.

If you wish to place it away from the battery packs, you need to obtain longer wires. Same with the input, normally it only include about six feet of cord wire so you need to use an extension cord or if you want you can wire it using a heavy-duty on-board charger inlet so you can just hook up it from the outside of the boat. You must also choose one with the correct size or capacity, you can choose from 30, 15, 10 and 6 amps charger. Purchasing an underrated one will take it more time to charge and sometimes will cause a breakdown activating the fail-safe safety timer that prevents it from overcharging.




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