Marine battery chargers are usually designed for "marine" environments, but their design may not be different from non-marine chargers. The key factor in choosing a marine battery charger is its intended use or application. Marine batteries are usually not much different from non-marine batteries, except that marine batteries are more likely to be deep-cycle, deep-cycle and start-up, lead acid or sealed lead acid. They can also be made of corrosion-resistant materials and have damping materials between the plates. Marine battery chargers do not care about their environment, but aim to distinguish battery chemistry (water injection, gel, AGM-absorbed glass mat).

When selecting a marine environmental battery charger, the following are the most important considerations:
1. Charger environment
moisture
If your boat is open and exposed, you should choose a charger with a waterproof case. When considering waterproofing, the specification to look for is the degree of protection. The degree of protection of IP68 will be completely dust-proof and provide protection against prolonged immersion in water under pressure. These devices are usually completely sealed, can be stored on the ship all year round, and can be permanently placed in a humid environment. They may be described as fully potted, which means that the electronic device is encapsulated in resin.
Your boat application may not require a waterproof case. If your boat is very large and has a closed cabin that can ensure that it is not in direct contact with water, then you can choose a non-waterproof battery charger.
vibration
If the environment of the battery is subjected to violent vibration for a long time, you should find vibration-proof specifications for any components to be considered. Vibration can be handled by a solid shell or shock-absorbing material used in construction.
temperature
If your environment experiences frequent or severe temperature changes, you should choose a battery charger that can compensate for the temperature changes. This is important to ensure that the battery is properly charged and maintained.
2. Charger output
The charger output can be described in two ways: amplifier and bank.
The amperage or power output of the charger should be determined by the application again.
One kind. Low output-(6 amps or less) low output charger may be suitable for maintenance purposes or any low amp battery.
b. Medium output-(9-15 amps) The medium output charger is only suitable for towing motors, suitable for medium or occasional use, and may only be used on weekends.
C. High output-(15 amps or higher) 1) The high output charger will be used for high amp hour battery applications (eg 150 ah) or any situation that requires repeated fast charging.
The battery pack (physical output) determines how many batteries the battery charger can charge at the same time. A single battery pack is used for a single battery, and multiple battery packs can be used to charge and maintain 2, 3 or more batteries at the same time. The key specification of a multi-row charger is whether it has an independent output (each row has a separate positive and negative connection) and each row has its own microprocessor to control charging. Independent outputs allow batteries of different sizes, types and charging states to be connected to the same battery charger at the same time.
3. Battery Chemistry
The batteries used in marine applications are more likely to be deep cycle, overflow, Gel Cel or AGM. It is important to determine the chemical composition of the battery and carefully select the battery that supports the chemical composition. Especially for Gel Cel batteries, please make sure that your battery charger is a real Gel Cel charger. Some chargers that claim to be gel chargers are just AGM or deep cycle.
4. Ignition protection
Due to the closed nature of certain marine engines and battery locations, it is important to check the ignition protection function. The ignition protection device prevents sparks when starting the engine, thereby preventing the surrounding combustible gas from catching fire. Check compliance with ISO 8846 and US Coast Guard Title 33 CFR 183.410 ignition protection specifications. These specifications ensure:
a) When the ignition source causes an internal explosion, the device will not ignite the flammable hydrocarbon mixture around it
b) or unable to release enough electrical or thermal energy to ignite the hydrocarbon mixture
c) or hermetically sealed ignition source.
5. Power supply
Some battery chargers can provide a power reversal function so that they can be used to power AC equipment onboard. They can also provide converted voltage to charge various DC devices. If this is important to you, make sure to choose a charger with this feature.
6. Airborne
You can use the bracket to permanently install the onboard battery charger to your boat. This way, you can use the batteries every time you need to charge them, and it is more convenient to put the battery charger in maintenance mode throughout the day.
7. Start
In the case where the battery is too weak to start the marine engine, some battery chargers can also provide sufficient starting current. If you need this function, please make sure that the device you select has a starting current.
8. Warranty
All other functions and specifications are the same, please choose the best warranty. It is not uncommon for battery chargers to fail, especially in marine environments. Make sure that your manufacturer provides reliable warranty support. There should be more than two years of warrants.
I have introduced some of the features and specifications that are often hidden in marine battery chargers. Hope they are no longer secret. I hope this article is helpful to you, because you can choose the next marine battery charger!