new to onboard charger, but problem?

[fishingnoob763]

I just picked up a new onboard. Promite 5/5 2 bank charger just yesterday from cabelas. I plan on running it on two battery, my starter/cranking battery and my trolling motor/electronic battery. My cranking is a deep cycle acid battery and the other is a deep cycle gel cell battery. I spoke with the reps at cabelas and they said that the promite 5/5 will work for both those batteries and charging them fine since the promite is a smart charger.

Here is the problem. The charger gets real hot ( I left the charger sitting out on the casting deck for ventilation). I mean you can't even touch it, it burns right on contact. I understand its suppose to get warm but should still be able to handle it. It got this hot after 2 hours of charging last night when I first hooked it up. I removed it off and tested the batteries and they both are fine, but it took a while for the charger to cool down. I have yet to plug it back in afraid of damage to the batteries.

Should I be concern and return/exchange it or should I try charging my batteries again?

Thanks

[Hoey]

I have a 4 bank, 15 amp unit internally mounted in my boat. Was replaced under warranty from Ranger. I did not notice the original unit's temp rise, but the replacement unit surely caught my attention as it got very hot.

I used a infrared thermometer to measure the temp rise. It was something like 90 degrees F. I called the manufacturer and spoke to one of their engineers who confirmed a 90 degree temp rise was nornmal.

So when it is 90 degree ambient (outdoor) temp, the unit will heat up to 180 degrees. Really? So I closely monitoring everything, making sure the lid is open, the area is well ventilated, and all stuff in the storage area is moved away to avoid any melted raps, etc... and ensure fire hazard is low.

[pinkfloyd4ever]

something isn't right, either a defective unit or something else. Do you have to adjust anything for a gel battery? My ProSport has some sort of setting/switch I would have to activate so the charger knows its on a gel battery vs. acid. I don't have any gel batteries so never have had to do this adjustment.

I just don't think that the unit should get that hot at all, warm yes, but to hot to the touch like you are describing just doesn't sound right