interesting battery power info for 1st timers

[reefrunner7]

"batteries and charging them" I only have 1 and about to add a 2nd, my Johnson dealer informed me that my 1985 120hp would take 12-15 hours of running to charge my battery from dead! (don't think like a car) cause according to him its way different. From now on I will charge both batteries before going out knowing they will not recharge completely like a car battery when (the car charges it back up in 5mins)

I do not want to be stranded so hope this helps any 1st time boat owners of older engines at least in some knowledge of battery recharge (maybe a solar charger when not using much to keep them fully charged)

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

Well outboards do not have alternators..... well 2 strokes do not. They charge from the stator.

 

[skyking897]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

Good idea to start with fully charged batteries when you go out. Don't want to burst your bubble, but a car will not fully recharge a battery in 5 minutes. It may charge a dead battery enough to start the engine again, but it is definetly NOT fully charged in 5 minutes. Todays autos are not designed to recharge a dead battery, they are meant to maintain your battery. In fact, repeated attempts to recharge a dead battery WILL fry your alternator. Don't believe me, ask any rebuilder.
The solar chargers work good to keep your battery charged. I use one on our RV over the winter months.

 

[ShamusCrowley]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

What about using a battery minder to keep battery at full charge in between usage.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

stators are usually 10 to 15 amps max output, so take whatever your accessories are taking off that. You only get a couple amps left for charging, which yeah, will take 12 to 15 hours of running to fully charge!

Your typical car system has a 60 amp alternator, and accessories/ecu/fuel pump draw anywhere from 10 to 50 amps. Worst case (headlights on bright, rear defrost on, AC on full blast) still will leave at least 10 or more amps headroom to charge the battery.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

A 4 stroke inboard charges just like a car.

I haven't had a problem in a year of ownership..

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

Battery maintainer's or trickle chargers work if you are capable of plugging it. Solar charger's are closer to maintainer's and really just maintain the battery or charge VERY slowly.

Batteries drain by just sitting there...... maintainer's and solar charger's charge slightly faster than the loss rate so they keep a battery charged.

Here is where the problem is...... many people use the same battery for the electric trolling motor thinking the OB will charge it but as stated....not enough.

If you run dual batteries get a dual battery switch

 

[5150abf]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

Get an onboard charger, I have a Geust 2 battery charger, you plug it in and forget it and it will go from charging a completely dead battery to maintaining them automatically.

I charge my start battery every other trip just to be sure, I have been stuck by a dead battery before and it is no fun.

 

[reefrunner7]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

I just hope this thread helps others like me who thought our outboards charge the batteries right back up (not the case)
Question? can I hook up one 2.5amp or watt solar panel up so that it trickles to both batteries or do I need one per battery? (my boat may sit up to 2 weeks between uses.

 

[lncoop]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

Yeah, I've seen an amazing number of posts from folks who have that very misconception. I'm beginning to think a sticky is in order. Onboard chargers are really a good option. They are not cost prohibitive and they'll recharge your batteries as quickly as the portable ones AND maintain them. They're easy to install too. They make your batteries last longer and make your life exponentially easier. The only caveat; you do have to remember to plug them in when you get home

 

[nam6869usmc]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

Yeah, I've seen an amazing number of posts from folks who have that very misconception. I'm beginning to think a sticky is in order. Onboard chargers are really a good option. They are not cost prohibitive and they'll recharge your batteries as quickly as the portable ones AND maintain them. They're easy to install too. They make your batteries last longer and make your life exponentially easier. The only caveat; you do have to remember to plug them in when you get home

I was using 1 2AMP & 1 Diehard Charger until I installed this DualPro 3 bank,,,,piece a cake to install & love the way I just plug it in at the end of my boating day. Working like a charm.

 

[reefrunner7]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

nice set up but where I keep my boat is in the boat yd with no power so it does not go home with me I need to charge with solar or something while it sits

 

[lncoop]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

Yeah, I've seen an amazing number of posts from folks who have that very misconception. I'm beginning to think a sticky is in order. Onboard chargers are really a good option. They are not cost prohibitive and they'll recharge your batteries as quickly as the portable ones AND maintain them. They're easy to install too. They make your batteries last longer and make your life exponentially easier. The only caveat; you do have to remember to plug them in when you get home

Oh yeah, one other caveat. You also have to remember to UNplug them when you head out for the water! I know this guy who sold his pontoon boat so he could buy another one. He forgot to unplug the onboard charger when he left to deliver the boat. Following his final inspection the buyer was very pleased but had one question for me; I mean for this guy I know. "Why is there a frayed cord end attached to the onboard charger?"

 

[Outsider]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

Your engine should keep a battery charged unless you experience an abnormal drain, and a two week interval between use shouldn't alter that. Run half the trip on one, half on the other and you should be fine. If you have an abnormal drain like hard starting or hours listening to tunes, take that battery home and charge it. You'll pay significant money for a solar system that will do much more than 'maintain' ...

You Have a Right to the Best Health Care You Can Afford.
You Do Not Have a Right to the Best Care I Can Afford!
​

 

[reefrunner7]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

I checked with a solar company today and they say to actually recharge the battery during the week it would take enough panel to generate 150 watts, they only peak charge for about 4 to 6 hours at most. they will be sending me a quote and I will pass along. My boat is 1 1/2 hours from my house and I'm looking to charge it where it sits and not have to rip a battery out every trip, but have no ac power where it is kept.
I'm installing a battery meter and 2nd battery with perko switch tomm I just need to know what my charge is in both out on the water and also to verify my motor is charging them back up

 

[DevonS]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

Very interesting. I'm a first time owner and have not yet had my boat on the water. I just installed a small stereo since there wasn't one onboard and it's directly wired to the one battery I have. I was under the assumption that the motor would charge much like a car does. Very good to know it won't. Looks like I'll have to add a second battery and a charging system to keep them both fresh between uses.

Just out of curiosity, if I hit the lake with a fresh battery and cruise around all day with the tunes on the battery should pretty much stay full while running, but if I park and keep the tunes on, approximately how long will I have before I'm in danger of being dead on the water? I'm talking a typical CD player and a couple 6x9 speakers... not a big setup.

 

[reefrunner7]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

Your setup is just what I have, what type of motor do you have? and as I have found out the hard way I may add, I ran for about 8 hours last weekend just stopping to fish and cruise again and today when I installed my 2nd battery I tested the "new" original "bass pro" 1000 cranking battery and it was down to 25%!!!! I yanked it out and am taking it back to exchange it just no way it should be that low.
With that said I installed a perko switch and dual gauge for checking battery levels, to tell the truth this whole battery thing is a pain not like driving a car daily!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

I checked with a solar company today and they say to actually recharge the battery during the week it would take enough panel to generate 150 watts, they only peak charge for about 4 to 6 hours at most. they will be sending me a quote and I will pass along.

You are going to be looking at over $500 for the panel and another $100 for the controller possibly. The thing is going to be big. Also realize that if it is isn't angled properly, you won't get 150 watts. that is the max you will get when everything is perfect.

 

[reefrunner7]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

I haven't got the quote back yet from the solar maker but I'm bracing, I've got to do something can't imagine taking 2 heavy batteries out everytime I pull the boat out

 

[bruceb58]

Re: interesting battery power info for 1st timers

How are you planning on mounting it and keeping people from stealing it?