where to mount a battery charger?

[yorklyn]

I always assumed a battery charger should be mounted in the bilge in a dry location , close to the batteries. Just bought a mastervolt 40 amp 3 bank charger and the instructions have me confused?
The following elements must be considered during
installation:
• The PowerCharger is designed for indoor use only.
• Ambient temperature: 0 ... 60°C / 32°F … 140°F;
(power derating above 40°C / 104 °F to decrease the
internal heat sink temperature).
• Humidity: 0-95% (non- condensing).
• Mount the PowerCharger vertically, with the
connecting cables downwards.
• Make sure that the hot air that is developed during
operation can be discharged. The PowerCharger must
be mounted in such a way that obstruction of the
airflow through the ventilation openings will be
prevented.
• No objects must be located within a distance of 10 cm /
4 inches around the PowerCharger.
• Do not locate the PowerCharger in the same cabinet
as the batteries.
• Do not install the PowerCharger directly above the
batteries because of possible corrosive fumes.

They also recommend the leads to the batteries be 4ga and it looks like im supposed to add a plug so it can be plugged into a outlet? Any suggestions??? retail for this thing was $399 so I really dont want to screw it up. Looking for some opinions and suggestions?
http://images.mastervolt.nl/files/Power ... 110609.pdf
http://images.mastervolt.nl/files/Insta ... 110609.pdf

[comodave]

The 4 gauge DC wiring is good for a run up to 9' according to the manual. You would have to go to a larger gauge if you go longer than 9'. Usually, the AC input would not go to a plug, but rather direct wire to your electrical distribution panel breaker with a ring terminal connector. It says that the unit is ignition protected if installed properly, so you could put it in the engine room, but the heat in the engine room would derate the output. I am not familiar with your boat, so I can not recommend a specific location. It looks like a nice charger. Good luck.

[ready123]

I wouldn't worry about the heat of engine room..... One should not need to run it while the engines are running nor right after since the engine alternators should have been charging the batteries while underway. Also put it where you have easy access to the controls.

[Allen Sr]

On my F36 it is Hard wired to the breaker panel and Mounted n the side cabinet on the starboard side below the salon windows. I would look for a dry spot that don't get wet and mount it there. I also would hard wire it. 4ga wire sounds good for charging. Hope this helps.

[BobCT]

Todd,

For what it's worth, I replaced the original Promariner (looks like you had the same from prior pics) about 3 years ago with a newer Promariner and installed it in the same place. It's worked just fine. No issue with being over the batteries and it's a pretty short run.

I might look into upgrading the cable size because I added another "battery" (2- 6volts) more than the factory setup.

Bob

[prowlersfish]

It should be hard wired into the boats 110 ac elc system ,as there should be no outlets in the engine room or fuel area .

[yorklyn]

Thanks Everyone! The 4ga wire surprised me. Glad I'm doing this because the leads on my old charger (which are only about 4ft long) are only 8ga.
So If im correct ,I could mount the charger in the large cabinet where the electric "locker" is located inside my boat. The leads should be less than 9ft so 4ga will work. the locker is huge and should provide plenty of airflow. if I put it there its a short run to tie into the AC panel and it will be away from moisture and engine heat. I'm thinking of this location because im concerned about the heat and moisture in the engine room. I always had my charger turned on anytime I was hooked up to shore power or if the gen was running. should I be more selective on when I run it in the future?

[ready123]

Generally batteries have a life related to charging/discharging cycles, so I only charge my batteries when they need it. I have a battery monitoring system that tells me the Voltage, amp draw and VA state for me to see when they are nearing 50% discharge at which time I will start charging... Shore or generator. I am not a believer of leaving my batteries on float for days.
Now several Smart chargers will stay idle and only switch in to float every couple of weeks or so if the batteries have not dropped below charged voltage. Is yours that kind of charger?

[yorklyn]

I believe it is?
"The bulk phase is followed by the ABSORPTION phase.
Absorption charging starts when the voltage on the
batteries has reached 14.4V at 25°C / 77°F, and ends
when the battery is completely full. Battery voltage
remains constant at 14.25V at 25°C / 77°F throughout this
stage, and the charge current depends on the degree to
which the battery was initially discharged, the battery type,
the ambient temperature, and so on. With a Lead Acid/
Wet battery this stage can last four hours, with gel and
AGM approx. three hours. Once the battery is 100% full,
the PowerCharger automatically switches over to the float
phase.
During the FLOAT phase the PowerCharger switches to
13.25V at 25°C / 77°F and stabilizes this voltage to
maintain the batteries in an optimum condition. Connected
DC-loads are powered directly by the charger. If the load
is higher than charger capacity, the required additional
power comes from the battery, which will be progressively
discharged until the charger automatically switches back
to the bulk phase. Once consumption decreases, the
charger goes back to normal operation of the three-step
charge system.
As the PowerCharger is equipped with a three-step Plus
charge system, the batteries can also remain connected to
the PowerCharger during periods of unuse. One hour
every 12 days the charger automatically switches to
absorption to keep the battery running properly and
prolong its life span. The three-step Plus charge system is
also safe for all the connected equipment. "

[yorklyn]

The charger has an option for a "temperature sensor" which goes on the batteries to prevent charging them if their too hot (i guess like returning from a trip with the engines and engine room hot? or if they get hot while charging). I plan on adding the sensors

[BobCT]

I have the temp sensor on mine too and it's never done anything. One time last year it was close to 100 and I was returning from a long run but they still weren't over temp. I think it needs to be really, really hot to shut it down. Yours might be different.

[kallen]

When they say 9ft. Is this not the positive & negative cable total?

[yorklyn]

From the way im reading the instructions, the ground does not count in the 9ft. so its 9ft for each of the 3 leads.

[Big D]

I have the temp sensor on mine too and it's never done anything. One time last year it was close to 100 and I was returning from a long run but they still weren't over temp. I think it needs to be really, really hot to shut it down. Yours might be different.

It's working. The temp sensor is for adjusting charge output. The colder the battery, the higher the allowed output based on the battery's state of discharge. The hotter the battery, the lower the allowed charge rate based on the battery's state of discharge.

[Paul]

I have the temp sensor on mine too and it's never done anything. One time last year it was close to 100 and I was returning from a long run but they still weren't over temp. I think it needs to be really, really hot to shut it down. Yours might be different.

It's working. The temp sensor is for adjusting charge output. The colder the battery, the higher the allowed output based on the battery's state of discharge. The hotter the battery, the lower the allowed charge rate based on the battery's state of discharge.

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