Best on-board charger?

[NorthernBasser]

As some know, I put an order in on a new boat the other day. Totally whiffed on upgrading the on-board charger, but I can still upgrade the dealer said.

 

What comes on the boat is a ProMariner. Now, it's only a 2 bank, so I know I want to upgrade to a 3. But here's my dilemma. 

 

How is ProMariner compared to Minn Kota and Dual Pro? To upgrade to a ProMariner 3 bank with 10 amps per bank is $130. Is it worth going that route, or paying the extra money and buying a Minn Kota or Dual Pro myself and having them put it on when they take delivery (which they have no problem doing)? 

 

Also, which version of Minn Kota/Dual Pro would you recommend, if I went that route?

 

Looking at this, I'd be paying an additional $200 over the ProMariner upgrade.

 

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/minn-kota-digital-linear-onboard-battery-charger-mk-330d

 

Many thanks! 

[A-Jay]

I vote Dual Pro.

And do yourself a favor - get sufficient banks to also charge your cranking battery.

You'll be glad you did. 

A-Jay

[NorthernBasser]

7 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I vote Dual Pro.

And do yourself a favor - get sufficient banks to also charge your cranking battery.

You'll be glad you did. 

A-Jay

Man, that thing looks like a boat's version of K.I.T.T.

 

So, would 3 bank, 10 amps per bank suffice? 

 

BTW, nice boat! A friend has the same. 

[A-Jay]

Battery type / size can drive charger selection.

You'll have to decide what best suits for your needs.

 In my version, 4 Quality Batteries are $$$, a high quality recharging unit is a solid investment. 

 

A-Jay 

[slonezp]

Dual Pro chargers are the only chargers that are serviceable. If the MK or Pro Mariner fail, they are garbage.

[Further North]

59 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

And do yourself a favor - get sufficient banks to also charge your cranking battery.

This, in spades.

 

All the top brands are great.  I'm A Minn Kota charger guy, because mine work great, have lasted years, and get the job done very well.

 

My batteries are on the chargers year round, even over the winter and I've never had a problem.  I can't offer personal experience on the other major brands, but everyone I know who has used them has been satisfied. 

 

40 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Dual Pro chargers are the only chargers that are serviceable. If the MK or Pro Mariner fail, they are garbage.

Sure, but: https://www.minnkotamotors.com/support/warranty/battery-chargers

 

...chargers are the kind of electronics that'll either fail early on or last forever...My Minn Kota 4 bank has been in 3 boats over 6 years and is still plugging along just fine.

[NorthernBasser]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

I vote Dual Pro.

And do yourself a favor - get sufficient banks to also charge your cranking battery.

You'll be glad you did. 

A-Jay

What do you mean by sufficient banks? Like, amps per bank? 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, NorthernBasser said:

What do you mean by sufficient banks? Like, amps per bank? 

Traditionally - one bank per battery.

An additional one would be needed to charge the cranker.

So if you have a 24 volt Trolling motor - and you want to charge the cranker, a three bank charger would be what you want.

A-Jay

[PECo]

A definite YES on having one charger bank per battery. Your motor’s alternator alone will NOT charge your cranking battery sufficiently to run your electronics, and livewell and bilge pumps.

 

Regarding Minn Kota Precision Chargers, I’ve read that they’re particularly sensitive to low line voltages and, unfortunately, I’ve experienced it myself with my MK 345 PC.

 

I’d give a different brand a try, first.

 

[NorthernBasser]

21 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Traditionally - one bank per battery.

An additional one would be needed to charge the cranker.

So if you have a 24 volt Trolling motor - and you want to charge the cranker, a three bank charger would be what you want.

A-Jay

Gotcha. Definitely getting a 3 bank. What about amps? Is 10 fine?

[PECo]

1 minute ago, NorthernBasser said:

What about amps? Is 10 fine?

I had a Cabela’s brand Pro Series Charger on my previous boat and never had any problems with it. The distributed-on-demand capability appeared to work fine. My current Minn Kota Precision Charger is finicky in comparison. Here’s the current version on the Cabela’s brand three-bank 20 amp charger, which happens to be on sale:

 

https://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-PRO-SERIES-ON-BOARD-CHARGER/2416312.uts?slotId=0

[A-Jay]

18 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Gotcha. Definitely getting a 3 bank. What about amps? Is 10 fine?

There's quite a bit of information and debate regarding battery types, as well as different charger types & sizes.

Unfortunately there is NO One answer - one must consider the type / size of batteries they have (Wet Cell, AGM batteries etc) and how they plan on using it. 

I will tell you that when making my own choice, I wanted a reliable, quality & safe product that would recharge my units quickly & effectively.  As well as one that was built & backed by a solid company with a long standing & favorable reputation.  Looking at what is/was available when making my choice ~ this is the direction I went. 

http://www.dualpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PS4b-insert.pdf - 

I'm glad I did.  

A-Jay

[slonezp]

32 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Gotcha. Definitely getting a 3 bank. What about amps? Is 10 fine?

10 amps per bank is good. 15 is better

[Bluebasser86]

My boat had a Minn Kota when I bought it, but it kicked the bucket after 3 years. I have a 3 bank Dual Pro now. 

[th365thli]

The used boat I bought had a minn Kota two bank charger that just sat in there for 5 years. Boat was left uncovered and the charger looked pretty beat. It still works. So I bought a minn Kota three bank

[JLBBass]

best "bang for the buck" onboard charger, in my opinion, is Minn Kota. GREAT customer service also!

[J Francho]

I've only ever used Dual Pro.  Never been an an issue.

[RUSS9999]

Dual pro. Got It from ''Battery Mart'' free shipping and I think no tax. Was a lot less then all the other places I look.

[NorthernBasser]

Thanks all. So the consensus is either Minn Kota or Dual Pro. After reading all the comments, maybe I'll just flip a coin. Ha..

19 hours ago, A-Jay said:

There's quite a bit of information and debate regarding battery types, as well as different charger types & sizes.

Unfortunately there is NO One answer - one must consider the type / size of batteries they have (Wet Cell, AGM batteries etc) and how they plan on using it. 

I will tell you that when making my own choice, I wanted a reliable, quality & safe product that would recharge my units quickly & effectively.  As well as one that was built & backed by a solid company with a long standing & favorable reputation.  Looking at what is/was available when making my choice ~ this is the direction I went. 

http://www.dualpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PS4b-insert.pdf - 

I'm glad I did.  

A-Jay

That thing looks pretty big. I'd probably have to measure to see if it'd even fit where the current charger is at right now. 

[Smalliefan2]

I would recommend Dual Pro. Have a 12 yr old 15 amp, 3 bank in my Ranger. Absolutely no issues. Had a Dual Pro in my last boat. I would say one bank per battery, and 15 amps minimum.  I can totally recharge within seven hours or less depending on how hard I run the TM, and be ready for my next day.

[NorthernBasser]

1 hour ago, Smalliefan2 said:

I would recommend Dual Pro. Have a 12 yr old 15 amp, 3 bank in my Ranger. Absolutely no issues. Had a Dual Pro in my last boat. I would say one bank per battery, and 15 amps minimum.  I can totally recharge within seven hours or less depending on how hard I run the TM, and be ready for my next day.

And it's ok to keep it plugged in all the time? It can't overcharge or anything like that? 

[Further North]

On 4/11/2018 at 6:56 PM, slonezp said:

Dual Pro chargers are the only chargers that are serviceable. If the MK or Pro Mariner fail, they are garbage.

So...I got to thinking about this...and I'm the first to admit that I tend to look at things a little differently...

 

Here's my thinking, let's say I have another brand that's not serviceable...and it stops working.  If it's in warranty, the maker sends me a new one, should be a faster turn time than sending in the old one, getting it looked at, fixed and sent back.  If it out of warranty, I buy a new one and I'm up and running in a couple days, max.

 

...I think at this point in my life I'm more focused on minimum down time than $$$.     But...remember...I tend to look at things a little differently than most do, so take this for what it's worth.

[WRB]

The Professional Dual Pro charger is the highest end price and quality with metered voltage for each bank with 15 amps power.

Norco Genius sealed water proof compact size charger is 40-50% less expensive, doesn't offer metered voltage, however very reliable 15 amp per bank deep cycle marine battery charger.

Tom

[J Francho]

Dual Pro have a warranty as well.  Most people have their boats FAR longer than a warranty period.  They are also a better charger and keep batteries in better condition, which means longer battery life, and lower replacement cost. So, after the warranty expires, and the unit dies, you either throw the MK in the trash or you repair your Dual Pro.  That said, the Dual Pro in my boat right now is probably from '95, when the boat was new.  Still works like a champ.

[RenegadeBassin]

I have a dual pro 2 bank that seems to work great! Can't give too strong of an opinion since I got my boat in September, but it's really simple and easy to use/read. I do wish I had a three bank for all three of my batteries though because right now I have to hook my cranking battery up to another trickle charger that plugs into the wall as well.