Battery Charger

[smallie.huntin]

I am looking to get a battery charger for my boat batteries.  I am not looking for an onboard charger, just one I can hook up the night before I take it out.  

What I am looking for is a charger that I can turn on the night before and will shut off when the battery is charged.  I don't store the boat at my house so I won't be able to unplug it when its done.  Do they make them like that?  I am looking to spend around $100 if possible.  

Thanks!

[smallie.huntin]

This is what I am looking at right now.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_104715_225007002_225000000_225007000_225-7-2

My biggest concern is ruining my batteries.

[cart7t]

I've been using Schumacher chargers for years and they work great and last forever.

Here's my latest one I got, a SC 1200. Walmart has them for $45.

Has 3 different charge levels and adjustable for different battery types.

http://store.schumachermart.com/sc-1200a.html

[burleytog]

http://store.schumachermart.com/ssc-1000a.html

Don't pay attention to the price.  Can be had at WalMart for $45 or so.

[burleytog]

This is what I am looking at right now.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_104715_225007002_225000000_225007000_225-7-2

My biggest concern is ruining my batteries.

That charger will not shut off when the batteries are charged.

Also, if you have multiple batteries, an on-board type charger would be your best bet.  BPS is running a sale on their XPS i5/5 two bank charger.  If you have multiple batteries, you're going to need a multi-bank charger.

[smallie.huntin]

http://store.schumachermart.com/ssc-1000a.html

Don't pay attention to the price. Can be had at WalMart for $45 or so.

Will this charger shut off when the battery is fully charged?  Will the 2 amp trickle charge charge a deep cell battery over night?  

Thanks for the quick responses.  

[cart7t]

charger monitors battery condition and adjusts charge rate to prevent battery damage;

The 2 amp rate will not recharge a group 27 type battery that's been thoroughly drained after a day of fishing over night.  Go with the max charge rate.  The units are designed to slow to a trickle charge as the battery nears max charge.  

[burleytog]

Yes it will shut off and in my experience, using the 2 amp setting is assuring that you won't have a fully charged battery the next morning.

[smallie.huntin]

Thanks for the help.  Looks like I am going to be headed to Walmart tomorrow to check these out.  

[Way2slow]

First off, you're looking at doing things all wrong.

Number one, you don't want to wait and put a battery on the charger the night before you plan to go fishing. This just insures you will ruin your battery rather quickly. Second, you don't want a charger that cuts off when the battery is fully charged, you want a charger that drops into a float mode.

Now, with a good charger that goes into a float mode, you connect the battery to the charger as soon as you get back from fishing and leave it on the charger until you get ready to go fishing the next time. Your battery will last for years and will always be ready to go when you are.

As for the size charge, depends on the size battery, a battery should be charged at 10% of it's rated capacity.  A 105 amp hour battery should be charged at 10 amps, a 120 amp hour battery should be charged at 12 amps.  Slow is not better, forget this 2 amp crap you hear.   ALL manufactors recommend a 10% rate for their flooded cell batteries and most other type batteries as well.

[MA1232]

I am looking to get a battery charger for my boat batteries. I am not looking for an onboard charger, just one I can hook up the night before I take it out.

What I am looking for is a charger that I can turn on the night before and will shut off when the battery is charged. I don't store the boat at my house so I won't be able to unplug it when its done. Do they make them like that? I am looking to spend around $100 if possible.

Thanks!

You need one that can "maintain" your battery.  

You should be able to get one for $50-$60.

[Glenn]

Sears makes good portable battery chargers that suit the bill nicely.  They start off with enough power to charge the battery, and taper off to a trickle to maintain it after it's charged.

[bass crazy]

I have a sears portable charger.  I purchased last year and i am pleased with it.  I also am using the platinum marine batteries. The charger cost about $100. I want to get an onboard portable charge for 2 batteries just for the convience of not having to hook up the cables all the time.

[NBR]

First you should recharge as soon as you get back from the lake and then again before you go. After going through several portable chargers I bought an "Onboard" and I'll never use another portable charger for my boat.

[bass crazy]

NBR

    What did you get for an onboard charger ?

[NBR]

The charger says "Charging Systems International" But if I remember correctly that is now called "Dual Pro". My boat is now charger is now 20 years old and I bought the onboard charger about the second or third year I had the boat.