Recommended battery charger

jiminpa · Aug 19, 2018

I had been reading a lot of post here and getting some valuable info. I have a 2005 gmc savanna that I will be doing in the next few months and hoping to go full time in the spring. I would like to add 2- deep cycle batteries and be able to charge them thru shore power.
The first few months I will have access to 120 volts. I don't have a large demand just a fridge and a water pump will do fine. I'm just looking to keep my house battery charged up and will add solar later, yes I have watched everyone of Bob's videos.

John61CT · Aug 19, 2018

Sterling ProCharge Ultra or
ProMariner Pronautic P

Fully adjustable, use with whatever chemistry in future, will last longer than your vehicle.

PowerMax PMBC

Progressive Dynamics

If you only have a small FLA bank, under 300AH, then 40-60A is plenty.

An AGM bank, or a bigger one, post details, you'll want bigger.

jiminpa · Aug 19, 2018

Thanks so much.

DannyB1954 · Aug 20, 2018

If you plan on getting a generator in the future, figure out what size and get a charger that it will run. As an example if you want a small 800 watt generator because it is small, get something like a 30 amp charger, not a 45 amp, (under a full charge the generator will shut down). Getting a small charger is also not the best as you don't want to have to run the generator all day to charge a battery.

When shopping for a generator look for the continuous output rating. I have a 900 Watt generator that will only put out 700 continuous and it will not power a 40 amp charger when the batteries are way low.

John61CT · Aug 20, 2018

I recommend getting the size the bank needs.

Just make sure it can be de-rated to pull lower amps when your upstream power source can't feed the full current.

Zil · Aug 20, 2018

A smaller charger, as 40 amp opposed to 60 amp, will charge the bank. It will take longer. Charging sources need to be able to return the energy used. As john listed, the Pronautic-P is a very good charger with a support team located in the USA. It is the same engineering as the Sterling Procharge. Here is a blog about charging house banks. https://marinehowto.com/installing-a-marine-battery-charger/