Carver Owners Forum

Fellow Owners,

Vader has a Charles 5000 battery charger, but I have some concerns with it. I've read the manuals and have been on the FAQs, but I still have questions that I can't seem to answer.

Does the Charles charge each bank with the same current or individually no matter how much charge the bank has? For example, If I use bank 1 for the day and turn on the charger is it going to charge both banks? I don't want the bank (bank 2) that is fully charged to be getting a bunch of current and boiling off the water.

The manual says :

When properly installed and connected, the C-Charger will automatically charge and maintain the batteries. When power is applied, the C-Charger will enter a bulk or “constant current” mode, during which a higher rate of charge is achieved to fully replenish the batteries. When the batteries near a full charge, the output current will decrease and the charger will enter a timed absorption mode. After four hours in absorption mode, the output will drop to a float rate to maintain the batteries at a temperature compensated finishing voltage (13.65 VDC @ 25C for lead acid).

I see that the more modern chargers specifically say it monitors each bank individually. I just replaced the batteries and I don't want to shorten their life by overcharging.

Any input is appreciated.
Thanks

Now that is a great question.....Charles responded to me for an e mail question to their tech dept, maybe an idea...I would like to know the answer to this myself as I have the same unit......

My understanding is that Charles is getting out of the recreational marine charging business.
http://www.charlesindustries.com/main/pressrelmar.html

I just sent tech support an e-mail. I will let you know if I get a response.

bed37 -- I guess I should have tried tech support first. I got a response back within minutes. It is a the answer I was hoping for.

From tech support:
The charger will give the lowest bank the full charge until it is equal with the next depleted bank, then it will split the charge between the 2 banks – and the same for the 3rd bank.  If you have a 30-amp charger it will supply the most depleted bank with the full charge.  Then that bank is charged equal to the next depleted bank it will split the charge between the two banks, or 15-amps per bank.  The same with the 3rd bank, when the two lowest banks are brought up to the same rate as the 3rd bank it will split between the 3 banks, or supply 10-amps each.
 

All marine chargers will maintain each bank on an individual basis as needed. The difference is how they deliver the output to each bank. While the better ones can direct full output to a single bank if needed as noted above, lower priced units will provide only a divided amount per bank such as; bank 1 = max 10 amp, bank 2 = 10 amp, bank 3 = 10 amp, and the charger labeled as a 30 amp charger. In such a design, if bank 1 was the only bank depleted/needing a charge, it would only get 10 amps at the most, even if the other banks didn't need a charge.