The ODYSSEY OBC-15-A marine battery charger represents a significant advancement in battery charging technology. Designed primarily for marine applications, this lightweight and versatile charging solution is the first of its kind engineered to handle both 12-volt Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) and flooded lead acid batteries, as well as 12-volt lithium batteries (LiFePO₄, Li-Fe, Li-iron, LFP). This comprehensive compatibility makes it an ideal choice for boat owners who may have different battery types across their vessels.
Because it can sense voltage as low as 1.5 volts, it can recover fully depleted batteries and I have found it does that reliably. I’ve used it to recharge and maintain depleted tractor, boat and ATV batteries. With a maximum of 15 amps of charging power, batteries are brought back to serviceability quickly. A unique feature is “Supply Mode” that gives the charger the ability to push power to fully depleted batteries that are undetectable by most automatic chargers. That helps detect and recover batteries that may still be serviceable. Supply Mode can also be used to bench test 12-volt accessories.
Selecting between battery types and their custom charge profile is easy by toggling through battery types on the label until an LED illuminates the mode you want. It is particularly useful when charging “sleeping” lithium batteries that go dormant with under voltage protection systems. This charger has an easily accessible mode to “wake” these batteries.
The OBC-15-A offers impressive specifications, including an input of 110-120VAC (US) or 220-240VAC (EU), with a constant output of 15A at 12V. It’s compatible with 12V WET, EFB, MF, Ca/Ca, AGM, AGM², GEL, and LiFePO₄ batteries with capacities ranging from 15-150Ah. With an IP44 rating, it’s splash and dust proof, making it suitable for marine environments. It operates in temperatures from -4°F to +122°F (-20°C to +50°C) and comes with a 3-year warranty for peace of mind.
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Additional features include built-in temperature controls, a battery status indicator for easy monitoring, and fully automatic charging after battery type selection. At just 4.60 lbs and measuring 9.25 x 5.12 x 2.50 inches, this charger is both powerful and portable – perfect for marine applications where space is often at a premium. $275.99, odysseybattery.com
