Dual Batter Charger - 1997 Explorer 215

[czizza]

I trailer my boat and when I return home I connect two trickle chargers but they are not up to fully charging the batteries if they are low. I want to put a batter charger on the boat and would like to have a 110v connector.

I have an Explorer 215 from 1997 and I would like the power receptacle to be in the vicinity of the image below.

[RickK]

The onboard charger I have came with a receptacle that you cut a round hole for, mount it with 3 screws and then the plug from their side stuck out and you plug a female extension cord into it.  You mount the charger inside the cabinet (most don't recommend mounting above the batteries (although that's the only choice I had and after 8 years, no problems).
Seems like that is what you need.

[czizza]

Rick do you know the model? Do you have a picture of the receptacle?

[CLM65]

I think this is what Rick was referring to http://www.amazon.com/Marinco-150BBI-Marine-Charger-125-Volt/dp/B000NI38MG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430091747&sr=8-2&keywords=boat+plug+receptacle.

As far as chargers, I have a Guest 2 bank charger in my 205, and also have one ready to go for my flatback.

[RickK]

Maybe I had to buy the receptacle - here is a pic of the power control board I made and you can see it was quite a while ago.


The one Craig shows looks like the one I have - you push the cord from the charger in from behind and the prongs stick out, to which you plug in you extension cord.

[CLM65]

The one Craig shows looks like the one I have - you push the cord from the charger in from behind and the prongs stick out, to which you plug in you extension cord.

Actually it must be different than the one you have.  The prongs come with the one I posted.  You have to cut the charger power cable and terminate it on the backside of the receptacle.  That also allows you to get rid of the excess length of power cable.

[Aswaff400]

the plug that i have for my trolling motor charger is the one craig is reffering to.



i have a pro sport 3 bank charger on my boat... may add a 2 bank for the cranking and house batteries on both the flat back and 210 explorer

[czizza]

Thanks for all of the comments, I saw this which now gave me a monkey in the works ... I was planning on a dual batter charger but I already have a dual battery isolator from BlueSea so according to their WEB site I just need the battery charger on the house side:



Does that make sense?

[Capt. Bob]

Does that make sense?

Yes it does.

The ACR senses voltage from either side (engine charging circuits or the designated battery charger). Let's say you start the boat (it's a little cold and takes a few extra cranks to fire off) and once running, the ACR senses a reduced voltage at the start battery. It then allows the supplied charging voltage (engine circuit) to recharge the start battery. Once charging is complete, if it still senses incoming voltage (from the engine) it will direct that voltage (if necessary) to another source (house battery).  This works exactly in the same manner if the boat is sitting on a trailer or in a slip and shore power is applied to the charger.

Good luck.  

[CLM65]

I have the same ACR for my project boat.  I also already have a 2-bank charger.  I'm hoping it is acceptable to wire the charger up as if I didn't have the ACR.  Anyone know if this will create any problems?

[RickK]

In the pic I posted is a Blue Seas ACR (at the top) but not one of the new ones.  I have my dual bank battery charger hooked to both batteries and leave it plugged in whenever the boat is at the house (which is most of the time) - charges both batteries fine. I followed the instructions that came with it.

[CLM65]

Thanks Rick.  I didn't think it would be a problem, but I feel better knowing someone else has done it this way.

[Capt. Bob]

Here's some light reading:

http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=1583.msg10120#msg10120

[RickK]

Thanks Rick.  I didn't think it would be a problem, but I feel better knowing someone else has done it this way.

I guess I never posted a finished picture that included the attachment point for the starting battery.  So the House battery attaches to the lug on the left side of the board (The left of the three big switches is for the House), the Starting battery connects to the lower lug on the right side of the board (The right of the three big switches is for the Starting).  The far right lug is where the engine hooks to.
I also installed a volt meter with a switch so I can select which battery to look at.

[Capt. Bob]

Received the following reply from Blue Sea tech support with an attached .pdf file. Below is a section of the reply.

"when the battery switch is off, the ARC is out of the circuit and your charger will work as normal".



The original wiring diagram posted by "czizza" did not contain the on/off switch. It makes sense that the switch, when "off" removes the ACR from the equation. Looks like more than enough evidence to use your existing charger, switch and the ACR together.