Is Your On-Board Charger Reliable?

[azfisherman]

I'm looking for user feedback on on-board charger reliability and performance because I've had a lot of cheap trickle charges die within a year of purchase. And when researching buying an on-board unit I've seen customer reviews complaining about chargers failing shortly after purchasing them. I live in Arizona where any charger I buy will be subjected to very high temperatures while charging in a closed boat compartment, under a boat cover, sitting out in the sun. Please tell me what you know about the reliability and performance of the various brands and models of on-board chargers. I' wondering what the tournament guys use.

Thanks for your input.

 

[tommays]

Re: Is Your On-Board Charger Reliable?

I think you will have to read the specs on the unit

They will have a MIN and MAX temp that will run at without dammage

I would think out in the desert sun you could exced tha MAX temp of many units

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Is Your On-Board Charger Reliable?

In one statement you mention "cheap trickle charger" and then you ask about "reliability of on-board chargers". Cheap trickle chargers are just that -- cheap trickle chargers with 1.5A or less output. They are intented to keep a fully charged battery topped off. They are not intended to re-charge a deeply discharged battery as some folks think. On-board charges are "smart chargers" that have multiple charging levels and are intended for charging deeply discharged batteries like trolling motor batteries and then keep them topped off once fully charged. They are temperature compensated and are available with one, two, three, or even four outputs for multi-battery setups. They are available with output ratings from 4 to 20 amps or more. Any of the major brands are very reliable. I've owned three Guest models and one that I will install on my new boat is a Pro-Mariner from Cabela's. I've never had one fail. My start batteries are maintained (trickle charged if you will) by a 1.5A Schumacher Battery Maintainer. When the boats are not in the water they are plugged in continuously. Never had a charger fail.

 

[azfisherman]

Re: Is Your On-Board Charger Reliable?

Please tell us all what charger make and model you have, how long you've had it, what if any problems you've had with it, and what are the good and bad points about it. Thanks

 

[BillP]

Re: Is Your On-Board Charger Reliable?

About a yr ago I converted from plug in trickle chargers to solar on 3 trailer boats. Until solar it was alway a hassle to keep the chargers going and one had a 100' extension cord running across the yard. Now its a cake walk and there is nothing to maintain. Plug and play. It takes one minute to hook up or disconnect a panel. No regulator is needed if you keep the panel size down. I bought 6 watt panels for approx $99 ea but 2 watt panels will work on most trailer boats...2 watt panels cost approx $40. If you have a couple hrs of sun every week this is worth considering.

bp

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Is Your On-Board Charger Reliable?

Solar is fine for trickle chargers, but worthless for a deeply discharged troller battery. And a big enough panel to make it worth while is simply cost prohibitive.

 

[arks]

Re: Is Your On-Board Charger Reliable?

I use a Guest model 2611. It's a 2 bank, 10 amp "smart" charger. Never had an ounce of trouble from it. It's waterproof, too.

 

[pallister]

Re: Is Your On-Board Charger Reliable?

Silvertip and Arks are dead-on, dont skimp on the on board and you'll be happier in the long run. I've got the same unit as Arks and it's been bulletproof. The best thing is that your batteries get the right charge as soon as you get off the water as possible, to extend battery life.
Cheers
Ken

 

[Boatist]

Re: Is Your On-Board Charger Reliable?

I agree with fully charging as soon as you get off the water. I also have never seen any of my charger fail. However my son works at a tool and auto supply company. He was in charge of returns and they got plenty of battery chargers returned. He did not have to send in for about 2 years anything less than 20 amps so he brought them home. Most of the problems were one of two things. The meter stuck or froze making it look like it did not work. The other thing was the regulator or diode on the cheap units failed. Likely from hooking up backwards.

One consern I would have is the battery itself. I live in Sacramento California and the temperatures can reach 110 degrees in the shade. My boat is stored in the back yard in a sunny spot. I put a recording thermonter in the boat and with a Pacific Blue sunbrella cover on the boat even on a 95 degree day the inside temperature will reach 140 degrees. This is just too hot to charge lead acid batteries. So charge when you return home with the cover off. after that charge when it cool outside or when the direct sun is not hitting the boat and cover. I think the on board chargers are very good and not likely to fail.

 

[BillP]

Re: Is Your On-Board Charger Reliable?

I agree with fully charging as soon as you get off the water. I also have never seen any of my charger fail. However my son works at a tool and auto supply company. He was in charge of returns and they got plenty of battery chargers returned. He did not have to send in for about 2 years anything less than 20 amps so he brought them home. Most of the problems were one of two things. The meter stuck or froze making it look like it did not work. The other thing was the regulator or diode on the cheap units failed. Likely from hooking up backwards.

One consern I would have is the battery itself. I live in Sacramento California and the temperatures can reach 110 degrees in the shade. My boat is stored in the back yard in a sunny spot. I put a recording thermonter in the boat and with a Pacific Blue sunbrella cover on the boat even on a 95 degree day the inside temperature will reach 140 degrees. This is just too hot to charge lead acid batteries. So charge when you return home with the cover off. after that charge when it cool outside or when the direct sun is not hitting the boat and cover. I think the on board chargers are very good and not likely to fail.

Quality "smart" marine chargers don't charge (or overcharge) if the battery is too hot. They "float" charging to meet temp and battery conditions. Yes they sense temp and some have a selector for charging at predetermined temps.

Like already mentioned, the solar panels I use on trailer boats is used for trickle charging and keeping batteries from losing their charge. However, a 12"x12"x6 watt panel it WILL put enough back in a 75 amp batt everyday to keep an LED anchor light glowing nightly without using a regular charger to keep the battery up.

bp