My new CTEK XS 7000 charger

[WalFish]

Well, I have just bought a new CTEK 7000 battery charger - now a couple of questions on how I can hook it up. I don't intend on having it in the boat permanantly, just when I need it:

1. I have a dual battery set up in the boat. I got one of those comfort leads with the charger, and bought a second one for the other battery.

2. I guess I put one of these on each battery and plug the charger into each of these and charge the batteries one at a time a night or two before planned fishing trips.

3. The final question is with the isolator switch. Can I set it so that it is OFF for BOTH batteries and just charge away, or do I need to disconnect something to prevent damage from charge current?

Need to make sure my batteries are charged for the stereo to work. Just put in one of those Fusion AM/FM/USB receivers and a set of box speakers. Looks and sounds the goods.

[antg2378]

I have the XS3600 which I charge my batteries with. I'm not to sure how you charge dual batteries. I have two up front (not earthed) for my electric bow mount (24v) connected in series and one down the back for the outboard, lights etc which has an isolator. I charge the two up front one at a time and the one down the back I turn the isolator to off and charge it. Depending on which terminal is earthed dictates how you hook up the charger, it should outline this in the instructions,

[The-easyrider]

Hi Wal, I have the same Ctek and dual Batteries. I have the ctek hooked up to one battery and leave the isolator swiched to ALL and that way it keeps both Batteries topped up. You can leave the Ctek hooked up and on for months with out any issues.

[WalFish]

Thanks for the replies.

I was thinking of having the isolator set to BOTH ON, cause the instructions say you can charge 2 batteries at the same time if they are in parallel. I am still a bit concerned about having charge current running through to everything in the boat? Isn't this how electrolysis starts? Also any issues with this going back into the engine charge circuit constantly - heat issues?

Just have flashbacks to when I was a lad and my older brother left the ignition key on overnight on the old man's Massey ferguson tractor (petrol). When we wnt to the shed in the morning we were met with an ignition coil normally the size of a beer can that has swelled to the size of a milo tin, and someone had let all the smoke out

[stue2]

Hi Walfish, nice rig. It should be wired to prevent any current running through the hull at all.

If your isolator is off then the batteries should be isolated from every thing. charge away.

I have the 2500. they are ripper units.

Cheers Stu

[The-easyrider]

Mines Glass so no electrolysis to worry about. If that is a worry you can just swap the charger from battery to battery at regular intervials. I find that I only need the charger when the boat is going to sit for long periords, trouble is that even though you plan on getting out every other weekend either work, weather or social comitments get in the way and before you know it the boat has been out of the water for two months. so I hook up the charger and leave both batteries charging. Then I can load the fridge up the night before and be sweet to go at sparrows, just need to rember to unplug the charger.

[Rhinoc]

Hi Wal, I have the same Ctek and dual Batteries. I have the ctek hooked up to one battery and leave the isolator swiched to ALL and that way it keeps both Batteries topped up. You can leave the Ctek hooked up and on for months with out any issues.

Interesting - I've got the 7000 and it is fantastic. I've never really thought of hooking it up in parallel as you have described easyrider. Although probably not entirely necessary I'm in the habit of hooking up my 7000 up as soon as the boat is parked in it's spot at home. I tend to first hook it up to battery 1 (VSR) and a day or so later I hook it to battery 2 where I leave it till it's next used.

This boat is the first time I've used a VSR and I tend to find battery 2 is always drained lower than battery 1. This is by design I guess in that the VSR is set up to prioritise charge to battery 1.

Rhino...