On-board battery charger recommendation

[gnrboyd]

I recently purchased a used 16' aluminum V-hull fishing boat with a 50 Evinrude. I have 2 batteries. One for the trolling motor and one for starting and the other accessories like bilge pump, aerator, running lights. (at least I think that is how it is wired...I have not looked that close yet.)

I am interested in getting an on-board charger but I'm not sure what amp to get or if I need one with 2 banks or just one. I typically use a trolling motor non-stop and at the end of the day it is pretty drained. I have a standard 10 amp charger which I used to use on my old boat and it had the battery charged fully over night. I've seen several in the BP and Cab site that are 6 and 8 amp. I'm not sure if that is enough to recharge a deep cycle over night. ?? I also don't think I'd need much for the starting battery but it might not be bad to have some charge on it over night.

I really don't know much about on-board chargers. When you plug it in does it charge both batteries at the same time? Does it dedicate different amounts of charge based upon need?

I'd appreciate hearing how they work and your recommendations on what I need in terms of amps and if you think 2 banks is necessary.

Thanks

 

[wire2]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

If you got your trolling battery back up to full with 10 amps overnight before, that would seem to be your benchmark. I'd suggest a single 10 amp smart charger for it.

Your starting battery gets charged every time you run the engine so a charger on it would seem redundant.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

It depends on what type of trolling motor you have and how you use it. MotorGuide and Minnkota motors with the maximizer circuitry (Minnkotas terminology) are a lot more battery friendly than the conventional motors. While they all draw about the same current running wide open, the maximizers do a much better job at the lower settings. If you therefore deeply discharge the battery you should have a single 10A (single output) for the trolling motor. If you have starting battery problems, install a Schumacher battery maintainer ($25.00 at any farm store). These are 1.5A maintainers that will keep the start battery topped off. To answer your question though, no, a single output charger charges only the battery it's connected to. Two bank (two outputs) would be needed to charge both batteries. However, why install a 10A charger on a battery that rarely needs that power and raises the cost of the charger dramatically. Either way, works but my method is the most cost effective and you can leave both units plugged in all the time if you wish, even during storage.

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

I have a 1993 Evinrude 12 volt Electric trolling motor. I will use it to to troll around while bass and/or crappie fishing most of the time. It will get heavy use on windy days (which generally are most of the days I can go fishing).

I just got the boat and I am relating my experiences with my old boat and my friends boat. As I understand it, his charger is a 2 bank 12 amp system. If both batteries are low, they each get 6 amps until one is full and then all 12 rolls over to the other battery. I realize my starting battery won't get too low because the motor is charging it while running. I just though it would be nice to have it top off the starter for a short time and then hit all 12 volts over night to get the trolling motor back up ready for the AM fish attack.

Am I misunderstanding how they work with my description above?

Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

You have it almost right. Not all dual and triple bank chargers are load sharing as you described. These chargers are like two or three totally separate charges in one package. Some will share the load between outputs as needed but some will not. Ask before you buy. Generally it will tell you on the box if it does load share and it won't tell you if they don't. A dual bank charger will do what you want to do. If it's a load sharing type, a 6-6 will work fine. If it's not, you may need a 10-10 but keep in mind the one 10A output feeding the start will be sitting there idle most of the time so you spent a good amount of money for an output that is loafing most of the time. Again, that goes back to my setup where I have a single charger for the troller and a separate maintainer for the start battery. My live well runs off the start battery and the 1.5A maintainer is very adequate at keeping that battery topped off.

 

[Grits]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

Check out the Minn Kota website. It describes how they work.

If you are running a lot of accessories on your start battery, I would use a two bank system. The above mentioned methods will work just as good. Personally, I would rather have just one unit.

There are many good ways to skin a cat.

Grits

 

[wire2]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

.......

There are many good ways to skin a cat.

Grits

Worked in a Chinese restaurant kitchen, did you?

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

I think I'll go for the 6 amp 2 bank system that shares the load. I'll guess I'll start looking for deals over the winter.

Thanks everyone.

 

[degull]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

I'm in the exact same position. Just did a search and came across this thread. One trolling battery and one starting battery. What did you end up going with? What models do people recommend? Are there any manufaturers out there that are highly recommended? Thanks.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

I have a deep cycle battery that is a couple years old and man that thing is something! Its one of the wal-mart brand ones and i have been using it all winter during my rebuild for all kinds of things and have not hooked it to a charger yet and it is still kicking. I run the radio for 10 hours at a time and run a couple of pumps here and there and its been months now and its still kicking. When it dies ill recharge it i am just trying to drain it as much as possible before charging it. But it seems to just keep on kicking.

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

degull,

I actually have not bought one but I did put on one my wish list. After getting the boat in the fall, I've bought 2 depth finders, a spare prop, new tires, bearings/seals, and a few other items. I have a standard charger so the on-board is a want instead of need so it goes to the end of the want list. I'll probably get one before spring though.

The one I like so far is by Cabelas. Its called the ProSport II 12 amp. This unit has "Distributed-On-Demand" technology which means that it is smart enough to distribute all 12 amps to any one battery or a combination of both depending upon need. I've learned that not all 2 bank chargers will do this. The 8 amp model might be enough..not sure. (Maybe someone will chime in on this subject.) Sometimes my trolling battery is just about dead at the end of the day and I want it to have enough time to charge over night. I know the 12 will be enough but not sure about the 8. Its about 40 bucks more to go to the 12. Hopefully they will have a sale on them soon and it will give me a reason to go ahead and get one.​

 

[degull]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

thanks, I'm going to check out the cabela's models. thanks for your input.

 

[Boatist]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

grnboyd
If your have a group 27 trolling motor battery I would not get less than a 10 amp charger in you want to fully recharge in less than 24 hours. To charge both batteries a 10 by 10 would be my choice. If you can find a 5 by 10 that would be even better.

 

[Boatist]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

Drewmitch44
What you are doing is destroying your battery.
A starting battery should not be discharged more than 20 percent.
A deep cycle battery should not ever be discharged more than 50 percent.

Also recharge your batteries as soon as possible even if only discharged just a little bit. Lead acid battery will start to sulfate if left discharged. This will shorten the life of your batteries.

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

Boatist,​

I was thinking that my starting battery would not be down near as much as my trolling battery and that for most of the night, it would be getting 12 amps which I thought should be enough. My standard 10 amp charger will always recharge my trolling battery (27 series) over night. (The needle is always bouncing on 0.) I would say it is on charge for about 10 hours.​

 

[Boatist]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

gnrboyd
If the charger actualy works that way then go for it. Only way I can think of that it could work that way is to have two chargers in parrallel and tie the outputs together. If they do that then one bad battery can drain both.

Before I bought that style charger I would call them or go on line at there web site and see the actual wireing or a detailed decription of how it works.

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

Boatist... Here is a copy of the data on the charger which is found on the Cabelas web site. That is what I was going off of. In an earlier post, Silvertip also mentioned that some do this and some do not. I have not done extensive research but from the ones I looked at this is the only one that seems distribute the amps as needed rather than an even split.
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Advanced Angler's newest generation of ProSport On-Board Marine Battery Chargers offers increased power and performance with a rugged 100% waterproof/shockproof design that delivers advanced electronic technology in a heavy-duty, compact and lightweight case. Designed by ProMariner ProSports, sequential multistage charging gives you the peace of mind that your batteries are being charged, conditioned and maintained so they are ready when you are. Each charger offers two precision charge profiles that are easily selectable: factory set or "out of the box." ProSport delivers a Performance/Flooded (Lead Acid)/AGM Battery Charge profile that will be friendly to your batteries while extending their life and delivering a full charge every time. ProSport Maintenance Mode is completely safe for short- or long-term storage. ProSport Distributed-On-Demand? Charging technology, which takes 100% of the available charging amps and distributes them to any one battery or combination of all batteries as needed, is combined with its extruded-aluminum housing for increased power and faster charging. ProSport enhanced feature set includes: a battery charge profile selector that allows you to select the charge profile to match your battery type to include flooded (lead acid)/AGM or gel batteries, New expanded LED status center identifying AC power, charge mode, ready/ maintenance mode and battery type. All multibank models include dual-in-line DC cable fuses for maximum battery cable protection and safety. Performance built with maximum protection including: ignition, polarity, over voltage, over temperature and short-circuit protection. All models include thermal output control ? providing the appropriate charging amps to your batteries, while maintaining the recommended temperature of the Advanced Angler ProSport II charger. Constructed to Marine UL and FCC Class Guidelines. Pre-wired for easy installation with a full two- year warranty on every model.
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[waterinthefuel]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

grnboyd
If your have a group 27 trolling motor battery I would not get less than a 10 amp charger in you want to fully recharge in less than 24 hours. To charge both batteries a 10 by 10 would be my choice. If you can find a 5 by 10 that would be even better.

And I would recommend otherwise. I've discharged a deep cycle with running my trolling motor non-stop for about 3-4 hours on 1/2 speed to fight a steady wind. I set my charger on 2amps and in about 8 hours it was fully charged. More than about 4 amps will reduce battery life unless only charged once or twice above that to get you out of a bind.

If you leave your battery discharged and it kinda sulphates up on you you can desulphate it with a charger capable. I did a super old battery I had. It was 5 years old and basically dead. I let it desulphate for about 24 hours and went to charge it and it took a charge like a new one!! It lasted another 2 years like that before finally dying dead. 7 years isn't bad out of a cheap Wal Mart battery!

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

If you leave your battery discharged and it kinda sulphates up on you you can desulphate it with a charger capable.

A charger that desulphates? I guess I'll have to google it. I've never heard of that.​

 

[Boatist]

Re: On-board battery charger recommendation

gnrboyd
That charger sound interesting and sounds like it should work for you.
I would love to see the wiring diagram and see what it is doing. Probably a built in battery isolator on a single transformer.

They do make charger that claim to desulphate I have one at least and I tired it on a old battery for my truck to see if it would make any difference. After 48 hours it had not completed and the battery was no better. Charged normal and replaced before going on vacation even though would still start the truck.

One thing I can tell you for sure is higher amps will not hurt a Deep cycle battery. Having said that I would not charge my battery at high amps in the summer with the cover on where the inside temperature is 140 degrees. I would take the cover off or wait for the boat to be in the shade.
My two batteries are charged by My 3.0L I/O 65 amp alternator thru a battery isolator and both batteries are over 6 years old. The Deep Cycle has been in the boat since Costco was called Price Club and they sold Delco Voyager batteries and that is a long time ago. I should dig out the records and get the exact date.

My Dad's Trailer also has a Group 27 deep cycle charged from a 100 amp alternator on his Chev Truck. I am sure the current is limited some what by the 6 guage wires form the engine to the trailer. He Charges thru a manual operated relay and has a amp meter in line with it and after a week of camping when he turn on the solenoid the meter will peg at 30 amps for a while before it starts to drop down. That battery is also very old but working good.

Good luck with the new charger. See if it has a wiring diagram and if it is just using two diodes to isolate the outputs.