kd4pbs wrote:
I'm not sure what you're asking; I can't figure out the logic in your question when pertaining to the above post, but I think you're asking "Isn't it worth it to spend a few more $$ to be 'safe'". If there's no inherent chance of a spark to begin with on a non "marine" charger, then no. My question would be, does the marine charger even have a SAE J1171 (or whatever the UL equivalent is) sticker on it, or is it just "marine rated"?
Again, does your chartplotter's sonar interface that's mounted in your engine compartment have an ignition rated seal of approval on it? How about your NMEA 2000 fuel flow sensor? What about that marine grade stereo amplifier mounted in your enclosed front compartment?
This "ignition rating" is for devices that create sparks by their very nature; a distributor, a starter, an alternator, a bilge pump, a blower, etc... do you think that manufacturers rate their battery cables and batteries to be "ignition proof"? No, but for sure these devices are *capable* of creating a spark. Heck, if your non-ignition rated power connector that's connected to your ignition rated distributor ever gets loose, it will be creating gobs of sparks right there in the plain atmosphere of the engine compartment. It's these reasons why we have a blower fan, explosive gas sensors, and a word of caution to use our noses before starting the engine.
There's no mandate that a charger must be "ignition rated".
Edit:
Something I would buy a marine charger for above a normal charger would be if the marine charger is sealed against moisture. THAT would be the pertinent thing here I think.
Edit again:
Obviously it would be foolish to use a "cheap" automotive charger that doesn't even charge a battery properly. I'm talking more like the typical 2-output smart charger one can find in marine and non-marine applications.
Anything that goes into a engine compartment must/should be ignition proof. Even the NMEA2k network. The older the boat the more this should be adheard too.
As too "There's no mandate that a charger must be "ignition rated" Read this and this is not complete as to what the U.S.C.G. and NMEA would want.
http://www.bluesea.com/resources/120Batterys and cables are not rated that way, I think its because of how we use them and connect them they do not generate a spark. Say as a fuse blowing, a breaker being tripped or reset, and a switch turning on of off. All of these devices should be sealed to make them ignition proof.
For me, nothing goes into the engine compartment unless it is "ignition proof". Your life as worth more but thats just me.