Leaving on board charger plugged in all the time?

[DaubsNU1]

I am a big fan of leaving chargers / trickle chargers on batteries. Do this in my unheated shop for the John Deere x750, two Polaris ATV's. Been 4 years and never issues with the batteries. I've started the JD in below zero temps. They all run off these inexpensive Amazon units. 

 

Installed ProMariner ProSport 8, 2 Bank Charger and have been leaving it plugged in when not fishing. Seems to be doing well.

 

Any issues continuing this practice?

 

Batteries are the Wal-Mart marine deep cycle Everstart 24DC.

 

 

[InfantryMP]

I have not had any issues with this as long as it is a quality unit that trickles, or goes in to a maintenance mode once they are charged up.

[gunsinger]

Same here.  I specifically asked if this was a unit that trickle charged when buying the boat and was told yes, so I leave my charger plugged in whenever the boat is not in use.

[A-Jay]

All the time ~ 

A-Jay

[desmobob]

Mine advertises having a maintenance charge function, so I leave it plugged in all the time.  I got six seasons out of my deep cycle trolling motor battery, so it certainly didn't hurt anything...

[GaryH]

Same here. If not on the water it’s plugged into the charger. 

[Krux5506]

I use a Minn Kota 330PC and it remains plugged in whenever the boat is not in use, unless in storage for the winter. 

[TnRiver46]

I do what you described for your tractors and ATVs with my boat batteries, just not with an onboard charger (mine melted)

[Bankc]

With the newer, digital smart chargers, you're fine to leave them in maintenance mode.  Most will default to this once the battery is fully charged.  There's some argument that it's better to store them at around 80% capacity, but I don't think it makes much of a difference.  These smart chargers have sensors that can sense a short and will cut off the power to the battery if it fails or when the battery is full, and then wait for the battery to drop before adding more to juice.  

 

The old fashioned "dumb" trickle chargers that just pump a constant current into the battery are prone to creating fires.  They also shorten the life of the battery by constantly exposing it to excessive heat.  If the charger is pumping in more electricity than the battery is wasting, it has to burn off the excess as heat.  Over time, that heat can build up pretty high.  So I wouldn't use one of these in this day and age.  Sure, the likelihood of fire isn't that high, as anyone who survived the 90's will tell you.  But you can buy a smart charger that'll have a maintenance mode pretty cheaply these days. 

 

And some of these smart chargers will be labeled "trickle chargers" as well because it's a term that people are familiar with.  So just because it says "trickle charger" doesn't mean it's bad.  But I'd say if its more than about 20 years old or doesn't say anything about battery monitoring, it's probably worth replacing.  That ProMariner Pro Sport 8 the OP referenced is good.

[Jig Man]

If you leave them plugged in you should unplug your trolling motor or throw your main power switch if you have one.

[Log Catcher]

I am on the opposite end. I charge my batteries when I get back from fishing but unplug it after they are charged up. Charge them again right before going fishing. My charger is a Guest Charge Pro. This is what Bass Tracker was installing in their boats at the time. It is a10 amp 2 bank charger. I think it has a maintenance mode but I feel better unplugging it. I also unplug the trolling motor and remove the electronics.

[Way2slow]

Most good, onboard chargers have a maintenance mode and are intended to be left on when the boat is not being used.  I have a commercial charger that's not only a maintainer, but cycles the batteries every 30 days if they have not been used.   

[Biglittle8]

Always charging, Noco on-board charger. Never had an issue.

[Jig Man]

2 hours ago, Biglittle8 said:

Always charging, Noco on-board charger. Never had an issue.

Have you talked to Noco?  They are the ones that told me to shut off the main switch if I planned to leave it plugged in all the time.

[TnRiver46]

Even my little $20 3  amp maintainer is a smart charger that won’t boil them over If you leave it plugged in

[Biglittle8]

2 hours ago, Jig Man said:

Have you talked to Noco?  They are the ones that told me to shut off the main switch if I planned to leave it plugged in all the time.

No I haven't, I haven't had any issues yet...is it in the instructions? If so, I missed it because I never read instructions ?

[WRB]

Got into the habit of unplugging the onboard charger after the batteries where charged. Plug the charger on the night before fishing. Our electrical power source tends to vary a lot and failures so unplug appliances etc when away from home several days became a safety habit.

Agree a good auto charger “should” be OK.

Tom

 

[Chris Catignani]

I have a NOCO Genius 3 bank charger and I have to say that I felt like it was over doing it a bit. I say that because the batteries were needing more water than I thought...and I just attribute that to the charging cycle / maintenance charging. The NOCO was new and the batteries were new...and checked one day after about 3 or 4 trips and ended up puttin in a gallon of water. (now I may have done something goofy along the way...but Im usually pretty good with the battery thing)

It says in the manual:

• It's not just a trickle charger; it's an advanced battery maintainer. A fully automatic, worry-free battery charger for everyday use - 24/7 - with zero overcharge.

So...for now...Im keeping an eye on it and shutting it off when charged.

I will add that I have the charger plugged in to a Sonoff flashed with Tasmota...this allows me to turn off that plug remotely.

 

 

[GreenPig]

Just like that Menderchuck fishin fella I leave it plugged 100% of the time it's off the water. It's been charging these 3 Group 31's for 3 years problem free.

[bherron1]

I use the NOCO as well and replaced one dry battery at 11 months just out of warranty and had to add water to most cells on 3 batteries. I do not leave it plugged in all the time now. I do not add water now. 

[Way2slow]

A couple of things you should know about your batteries and the charger before leaving them on 24/7.  The manufactures have a recommended maintenance charge voltage.  For instance, Deep cycle, flooded cell batteries typically like 13.17 VDC for a maintenance float charge.  Cranking batteries, dual purpose, and AGM, and LiPo, all have different specs for a maintenance float voltage.  Find out what's the best for your battery.  Then after a couple of days of being on a float charge, check the voltage and see if your charger is real close to what it requires.  I've had chargers that ran a float voltage of 13.7 volts, that's too hot for any battery.  I've had some that were as low as 12.4 volts, that's about useless for a float charge.  

Not all chargers with maintainers run float a float voltage, Some, like the Dual Pro, (which also happens to be made in the US) cycles on and off as the battery drops to a certain voltage level.

Now, if you are just depending on that Chinese manufacture to make something that is best for your battery, Good LUCK!

[Bird]

Trickle charger on everything with a battery, adds longevity to the battery and prevents freezing. 

[Way2slow]

Boils down to, they are your batteries and whatever you think works best for you.

With a degree in electronics and many years experience with batteries and chargers, professional and personal, I know enough about them to know how I do mine.

[@reelChris]

NOCO chargers have a recommended operating temperature range.  I emailed them specifically to ask about cold weather charging and I believe they said the genius chargers are rated to operate down to about 25 degrees.  I'm sure they'll work at lower temperatures than that, but I don't know how well.