Charles Industries "START NOW"

[Poorsche]

Has anybody used the Charles Industries "START NOW" ? It's a start assist/battery combiner like the Blue Seas ACR.

I got one at a close out sale and Charles Industries sales they've been installed in production by several major boat builders. I'm thinking of using it since I have it rather than spend the money on a Blue Seas ACR

Here's a link to their FAQ page http://www.charlesindustries.com/mar...tNow%20QAs.pdf

[boscoe99]

It appears to me to be a device that parallels two batteries together in order to start a motor. Which I am not in favor of. Here's why.

A good battery will normally start the motor. Now if the main start battery can't do its job, with the reason why being unknown, the last thing in the world that I am going to be doing is taking a known failed battery and paralleling it to a second battery that is believed to be in good working order.

The bad battery being connected to the good battery could very well cause the good battery to fail. There is no way of knowing.

I would simply switch to the second battery to start the motor. Once the motor is running and outputting electricity then and only then would I parallel the two batteries.

Now if battery one on its own won't start the motor, and if battery two won't start the motor, then and only then would I parallel the two batteries in hopes of getting the motor started.

[cpostis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lfNdnyjjzENever parallels the batteries. Here's a vid link.

My choice would be not to use this on my ocean going center console. You may wish to try it depending on the use of your boat.

But personally, I don't like it.

[cpostis]

One more thing, you got it at a close out sale?
Most sites say "discontinued and/or unavailable". Does that tell you anything?

[DennisG01]

I have not used it, but I do know that they make very good battery chargers and are generally known to be a good company. Personally, I like to be in control of what battery or batteries I'm selecting from, for many of the reasons mentioned above. It's a cool idea, but I sometimes question the need for automation/electronics.

[99yam40]

sounds like hooking up jumper cables to a low battery to help get the motor started.

they say it will charge the second battery once the start battery is fully charged.

But recommend hooking up a battery charger to 2nd battery if it is drained


Strange how they recommend disconnecting it if not using boat for a long period as it will drain a small amount of power when hooked up.

They said ranger Boats installed them on some of their boats, but do not know when or if they still do