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Lewco FS1240ACD Battery Charger

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 2:59 pm
by BradZ
I just picked up a Lewco FS1240ACD 3 - Bank battery charger. Has anyone had one? Currently using one? Or had one? Seems like a good marine charger but I'm looking for everyone's opinion on it.
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Re: Lewco FS1240ACD Battery Charger

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 6:01 pm
by prowlersfish
Good charger in its day but honestly I would get a smart charger it I needed one . Much better for the batteries

Re: Lewco FS1240ACD Battery Charger

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 8:02 pm
by kallen
Definitely go for a smart charger.

Re: Lewco FS1240ACD Battery Charger

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 7:33 pm
by BradZ
So this charger works for different battery types and charges in multiple stages depending on the charge the battery needs. It handles three battery banks that can be different types of batteries. Will go down to a maintenance charge when needed. What does a smart charger give me that this doesn't?

Re: Lewco FS1240ACD Battery Charger

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 11:02 pm
by prowlersfish
Will it do 4 stage charging ? is the a setting for different types of batteries ? Not saying it won't work or its not a good charger . Just I would have gone with a "smart charger . But if had that on my boat would I change it ? only if it failed or gave me problems

Re: Lewco FS1240ACD Battery Charger

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 12:29 pm
by BradZ
This is out of the Manual for the charger. I picked this up for free because I'm on a tight budget this year because of all the repairs needed before spring.

LEWCO BATTERY CHARGER MANUAL…The Full Service (F.S.) model is load-handling
electronically controlled unit.
EFFICIENCY… Due to the extremely high forward-to-back current ratio, silicon rectifiers achieve
rectification efficiencies up to 99% at power frequencies. The high efficiency is characterized by
forward conduction voltage drops of approximately one volt, hence higher output voltages, and
reverse currents of the order of microamperes at the peak inverse voltage.
HERMETICALLY SEALED… Each silicon diode is hermetically sealed. This seal is a great
advantage to the marine field, for the ever present salt air and moisture cannot damage the silicon
diode.
CHARGER CABINETS… The cabinets are power coated.
CHARGING POWER… The charger, without damage to itself can be connected to discharged
banks of batteries and will fully charge them on a perfect taper curve, automatically reducing
charging rate to a trickle as batteries become charged.
INSTALLATION… Designed as a permanent installation in the boat and a permanent connection
to the battery bank.
LINE VOLTAGE... Compensation tap switch incorporated so that the converter may be operated
efficiently from either extremely high or low line voltages.
D. C. AMMETER… Ammeter is incorporated in the output circuit to indicate current being supplied
to batteries and accessories.
TRANSFORMER… The transformers are designed for marine use and incorporate isolated
primary and secondary coils. This prevents electrolysis and eliminates shock on the charging
lines.

Re: Lewco FS1240ACD Battery Charger

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 1:01 pm
by prowlersfish
You will be fine with it . And the price is right

Re: Lewco FS1240ACD Battery Charger

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2019 8:58 pm
by oldboat1
When I replaced the Sentry charger on my '80 F26, it was wired through a dedicated circuit breaker. I replaced it with a NOCO smart charger that plugs into a cabin outlet -- breaker for the Sentry is still in place, but switched off and taped over. I don't think I can easily remove either the Sentry charger or the electricals without some contortion that I'm too old for (or some serious cabinet disassembly). Anyway, the plug for the new charger is breaker controlled -- and unplugging the charger is very convenient.

I recommend turning off or unplugging the charger when batteries are fully charged, at least until you know how well the charger works. If hard wired, you will want to use a circuit breaker -- probably want to test the charger in your shop before going through installation.

Re: Lewco FS1240ACD Battery Charger

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2019 12:50 pm
by BradZ
Sound Advice Oldboat1. Bringing batteries home this weekend to do just that. Plus measuring for cable lengths needed becuase I want to locate the charger as close to the batteries as possible. Will use #8 battery cable for charger to battery leads.