Which Battery Charger


L

luriesd

Member
I have a Formula 280SS with twin Mercruiser 5.7. It has two Optima Blue Top 34M batteries, 55 AH with 750CC Amps. I had a Xantrex2 40A Charger which has died after 8 years. I have replaced the batteries.

My question is what type of charger to replace it with? I was going to get the same one, but see horrible reviews online. My question is, should I replace with identical? Any other brands / models you recommend?

If it matters, these are the dual purpose type batteries, and the boat is hooked up to shore power when not in use.

Thanks for any ideas!!!!!
 
Thank you all. I am wondering now how many amps I need?? The old charger was 40A for these two batteries..... Doesn't that seem excessive? They are 55AH each, so would a 20A work?

Thanks for the advice
 
the higher the amps, faster it can recharge your batteries from dead. but the rate will vary based on many factors.

If, like me, you use the boat often, you shouldn't need much. with the engines running your charging these anyway. So, for the most part they will just be keeping your batteries topped off.

I have twin 5.7s and no on board 120v charger. Haven't needed one yet. Boat's wired to only ever run one battery dead, then use the other to start both.

Now, I would like one, and of course its nice, I just don't own one.
 
One thing to keep in mind when considering the output amperage of the charger is, if you plan on spending time hanging at the dock, with 12 VDC accessories running, will the charger be able to keep up with the load, and charge batteries too.
Also when looking at chargers determine how the particular charger you're interested in is rated. ie. 20 amps total output, which equates to 10 amps per output on a charger with 2 outputs, or 20 amps per output.
 
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