Battery Charger, Onboard Or Not?

[livemusic]

I have an almost 20 year old Bass Tracker 17' boat with 40hp, troll motor and just bought a Humminbird 1199 fancy fish finder. The old Tracker fish finder that came on this used boat, I can't get a signal. Anyway, the onboard battery charger doesn't work either. Hmmm... need to check to make sure these devices are really shot. Assuming the charger is no good... I need one. But I also need to charge a stand-alone 12 volt battery for when I fish from my jon boat and occasionally, the truck battery goes dead. So, do I buy a charger to install on the Tracker, or a stand-alone unit that I carry back and forth to the boat. Or use to charge my truck when the battery goes down, or whatever.

 

(My stand-alone portable battery charger I have had for many years just conked out.)

 

If I buy one for onboard boat install, should I buy a 3 bank or 2 bank? A 2 bank is all I need now (one for motor, one for troll motor). But, if I get a newer boat someday, I might have 3 batteries. So, should I buy in anticipation of needing 3 someday, lol?

 

Also, what ampage? I see them from 5 amps and up.

 

Feedback appreciated. And if anyone has a model or brand suggestion, let me know.

[Fishing Rhino]

A two bank charger for the boat, and a stand alone to handle your other battery, and your truck.

 

No need to buy a three bank charger for "someday".  That day may be a few or several years down the road, and assuming you will sell your old Tracker, and the charger is still working, you can get a few more bucks for your Tracker.  A boat with the electronics pulled out of it will turn off a lot of buyers, unless you are practically giving it away.

 

Why does your truck battery keep going down?  Is the charging system not doing its job?  Is the battery junk?  Or is there some circuit in the truck that is draining the battery? 

 

A battery charger is not a fix for your truck battery problem. 

[MDBowHunter]

I agree buy both, the ability to be able to just plug in and forget it is great when it comes to the boat. You can pick up a small cheapie to charge the truck when need be.

[desmobob]

You can do a little of both....

 

I installed a Minn-Kota "Alternator" in my Tracker Pro 170.  It connects to the cranking and trolling batteries, and automatically directs the current from the outboard's alternator to the trolling motor battery as soon as the cranking battery is fully charged (which is usually a minute or two after running the boat).  

 

And I can not imagine NOT having a decent battery charger in the garage at home.  I have a couple of small trickle/float chargers, plus a larger portable charger than also has a jump-start setting.  I don't think it takes me more than 30 seconds more to carry a charger out to the boat and hook it to the trolling motor battery than it would if I had an on-board charger and just had to pull the lead cord out there.  

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[fishnkamp]

Take a look at the Bass Pro Shop's chargers.  I run a BPS XPS intelligent technology 10/10. They run about $200.  I come home fishing and just plug the charger in.  Overnight I am ready to go again. I run three group 30 Cabelas AGM batteries. two are for my trolling motor and that is what the charger is hooked to.  It has kept my batteries going for over 5 years now.  The charger is smaller physically than some, but does a great job.  It is really nice not to disturb the boats' wiring just to charge them back up, and I do it about 30 plus times a year.  I fish all the way to December 15 when our  striper season ends.  As for a charger for garage use, go to Walmart and get a Schumacher battery charger that can charge and jump start. They run about $60.  I own 1 of those.  i have also used 3 of the Schumacher Speed Charge 15 Automotive and Marine Battery Chargers.  They worked great on a smaller electric only reservoir boat I had.  Remember to make sure to match the charger to the type of batteries you use.  Not all chargers can properly charge gel cells and AGM batteries.

[livemusic]

I will clarify that my truck battery does not go down on a regular basis. I just said that because once in awhile, I will leave a light on, or my girlfriend's or someone else's car battery will go down. So, like anyone else, I sometimes need a charger for that.

 

How do I tell what type of batteries I have?  Far as I know, the battery I have on my boat motor is just a 'charging' battery and the other two are 'deep cycle' batteries for trolling motors. I don't think I have an AGM battery. How can I determine this?

 

Everything is complicated these days. I found a portable Schumaker charger at Cabela's that looked good and is on sale but upon reading reviews, some people complain about it burning up their AGM batteries. And then one guy said it burned up his battery over three months when he had it on trickle. Sheesh.

 

Still trying to decide what to do, but at this time, due to cash outlay, am leaning toward just buying a portable unit for, say, something less than $70, until I save up enough to put an onboard one on the boat. Still interested in opinions if anyone else wishes to chime in.

[WIGuide]

If you can I'd buy both. If not get the portable charger first if that's what you need, and save up for the onboard charger. From what you just said it sounds like you have 3 batteries already so you'd need a 3 bank charger. The ease of an onboard charger is definitely worth having. Once I got mine, I found out I'll never go back. As far as brand goes, I'd look into Dual Pro. They aren't cheap, but they're very good chargers. 

 

As far as figuring out what you have, go take a look at your batteries. It should be on the label. Most likely unless you paid out the rear for a battery, it's a flooded cell which standard battery chargers should work on. 

[WRB]

If your boat is garaged in a dry environment onboard chargers work great, out doors in the elements you shouldn't leave the charger plugged in after the batteries are fully charged.

10 amp 12v deep cycle battery charger works good for all types of 12v marine batteries. AGM's shouldn't be over charged with high amp chargers. AGM's are sealed and more expensive then sealed gel types.

Tom

[desmobob]

I have a bunch of batteries to deal with: boat, motorcycle, car, lawn tractor, etc.  I think my two most-used chargers are the decent Craftsman  that also offers jump-start capability, and the handful of float chargers I use to keep the seasonal-use batteries healthy in their off seasons.

 

I have a couple of brands of the small float chargers (battery maintainer).  They charge at a gentle rate (1.5A) and then apply a very tiny (and that's important) bit of current to keep the battery active and prevent sulfating if it sits unused for a long period -- like my boat batteries and motorcycle battery do during the long Northeast winters.  I think they are an important tool to have around.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[fishnkamp]

If your battery has the typical caps on top that you can open to check the battery fluid level you have a standard lead acid battery.  An AGM (advanced glass mat) battery or a gel cell battery will cost a little to a lot more, be sealed and definitely say so on the outside.  The most logical reason someone complained his charger burned up his battery is he used the wrong type of charger. The Schumacher model I suggested with the jump start capabilities is not designed for marine batteries.   The Schumacher Speed Charge 15 Automotive and Marine Battery Charger can not jump start, but has buttons to choose between Standard lead acid, gel cell or agm.

Choosing one determines which charging pattern the charger uses. The batteries I use in my Lowe are all Marine deep cycle- AGM batteries.  They were designed as dual purpose (starting and deep cycle ).  I chose these for lots of power all day long.  Remember when I start the big engine my outboard recharges that battery.  Also my electronics, lights and livewell are wired to that battery and may run for a good part of the day.  AGM and gel cell are great because they are sealed, it means no fluid leakage in your boat and they provide years of good service.  To me their extra cost averages out over time..

[RangerCasey]

I have a new three bank in my Ranger,  just replaced an onboard two bank.  Love the plug-in and leave it alone type.

 

I use the old two bank charger for the mowers and such.  If I have only one battery hooked to it I use a little black electrical tape over the non-used connection to keep it from shorting out.

 

Working like a champ!!!

[BaitMonkey1984]

If you can I'd buy both. If not get the portable charger first if that's what you need, and save up for the onboard charger. From what you just said it sounds like you have 3 batteries already so you'd need a 3 bank charger. The ease of an onboard charger is definitely worth having. Once I got mine, I found out I'll never go back. As far as brand goes, I'd look into Dual Pro. They aren't cheap, but they're very good chargers. 

 

As far as figuring out what you have, go take a look at your batteries. It should be on the label. Most likely unless you paid out the rear for a battery, it's a flooded cell which standard battery chargers should work on. 

 

Definitely agree with this. My Ranger has three batteries and if I had to charge each one individually it could be done- although it would be a hassle. I will never not have an on board charger moving forward.

 

In regards to your portable charger, I have tried many brands. The best one I found was at Walmart for cheap (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-Electric-15-Amp-Battery-Charger/46167057). I have tried many more expensive ones but they just don't last. This model is nice because you have several different charge options too.