Looking at installing an on-board charger.

a) Guest model 2610, 10 amp(5/5)
Read on WM reviews this Guest charger has a bad rap for going out within 2 yrs and even ruining new batteries.

OR


b) Pro Mariner model Pro Sport 12 (or 20)
Found no reviews on these.

Both models have the 3 stage charging: Charge, condition, float, and are same price.

Can't find if the Guest will vary the amps from a lower charged battery. The next models up call it 'Smart Leg', so I'm assuming no on this model. Would that mean both batteries recieve the same amp. as the lower charged battery, or just that the excess amp from the higher chargered battery will not be transfered to the lower battery?

The Pro Mariner does have this adjusting/transfer amp charging feature.

Mainly just looking for a permanent mount charger that will possibly be plugged in over nite in the slip on weekends to top off the batteries from stereo playing and using cabin lites. And the mostly short engine run times. No big current draws on this yacht.

So which of these 2 gets the heads up? Thanks

I've installed the guest model for several customers with no problems.
I think as long as you do not leave it on all the time you will not have any battery issues.
Installed one of the "smart leg chargers" for a customer who leaves it on all the time and it will cook a battery even though they say it goes to float charge.
I think just for periodic recharging the 2610 will suit you just fine.

I have a Pro Mariner Flyback 20-3 unit. I can leave it plugged in for dang near forever with no boiling batteries or bad results. The FR series ProMariner it replaced would boil a battery in three days.

I also have a Newmar on the cruiser. Best and most expensive charger I've ever owned.

I tried Statpower, and while they were good chargers, they would not function as a power supply also. What I mean is that at the dock with shorepower on, the 12v systems on the boat ran 100% off the batteries until voltage dropped to a preset point, then the charger kicked in and ran the batteries up to saturation voltage, then held them there before dropping them back to float before shutting off. If all you did was park the boat and turn on the charger when you leave they do fine.

The ProMar and Newmar both act as power supplies in addition to chargers. They monitor battery condition, and sense when to use a charge slope. And whatever the demands of the 12v system of the boat are needing, the charger does its best to both provide the 12v system with its needed current PLUS maintain the charge ramp it has determined best for the battery.

No gripes on the ProMar or Newmar. The vote goes to the Newmar if you plan to charge much when the batteries are hot (over 120 degr4ees)..

I've used two Guest 2611s for 4 years on my Trojan cruiser (4 batteries). I leave them on 24/7. No problems at all. Batteries last as long as any.

Recently I purchased a Pro Mariner 12. I installed one of my 2611's in my Thoroughbred, and installed it in it's place. Been a great unit so far.

Don't sweat the "boiling the batteries" thing. Just do the proper battery maintenance and you won't have a problem.

Jim

See pic, it's on the transom portside.

The "boiling batteries thing" is often due to a live circuit that confuses the charger. Something as small as a radio memory circuit can cause any kind of chrger to keep charging when it should kick off. Only safe thing to do is disconnect batteries from boat when using a maintainence charger. Found out the hard way

So if you separate the batteries from the load you loose the radio memory .... bummer .... I do open the battery switches but my radio goes directly to port battery ....

I understand what you are saying, but that kinda defeats the whole purpose. I use a 12v fan all night long, the charger is to keep the batterys up to par in the morning.

If you realy want to get the good stuff in my opinion you should have a look at the xantrex models, they are a little priceir but I have never heard a compaint about one other then the price.