'02 Mr. Pike Battery Charger Installation

[Pat Curtis]

Hey all, just found the site. Very nice and very informative!


I have an '02 Mr. Pike with 3 batteries (24v trolling motor and 1 cranking). They are spaced in storage compartments individually in the boat (1 up front, 1 next to the console, 1 in the rear for the outboard's power).

My spring time project is going to be installing a 3 bank charger, just don't know where I should put it or how I should rig it. I thought about mounting it under the console, then running the wires to each battery would be easiest. The battery in the middle and the battery up front are separated by a livewell and a storage box...and don't really want to take those out to run the wires to the front battery. I could however run the wires along the side of the boat all the way up front...but don't know if the standard wires are long enough.

Just looking for someone's 2? on this matter. Thanks...


BTW, I'll try to post a pic of my situation....hopefully it works....

 

[marquette]

Re: '02 Mr. Pike Battery Charger Installation

have you considered 3 single bank chargers instead of a 3 bank? there are a couple of advantages in that you can charge all three batteries at full charge rate at the same time compared to a 3 bank which will divide it's total charge rate proportionally between the batteries. hence you will get a shorter time to full recharge to get back on the water. secondly installation is simpler. on the down side the upfront cost will be higher and you will need 3 plugs to charge your boat.(or extension cords and a 3 way plug) on the other hand if a single bank fails it is cheaper and simpler to replace than if 1 bank were to go bad on a 3 bank charger. you cranking battery should only need charging occasionally if the charging circuit on the motor is working. i only charge mine about twice a season.
try posting your question over on the wiring/electronics/trolling motors forum. there are a lot of more knowledgable people than me about wiring over there that should be able to give you some good advice.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: '02 Mr. Pike Battery Charger Installation

They make extensions for those battery leads coming from the charger.

 

[Pat Curtis]

Re: '02 Mr. Pike Battery Charger Installation

Thanks guys. I'll look into my options a little more when it's not -15? outside...b/c I don't have a heater in the garage.

 

[ziemann]

Re: '02 Mr. Pike Battery Charger Installation

Not all 3 bank chargers split their amps. Many of the chargers internally will have 3 independant charging circuits thus providing full charge to all three batteries. The Dual-Pro brand chargers would be only one example.....

Your Lund Mr. Pike is not all that hard to fish leads to. As previously stated, you can most definately buy a 3 bank and if you need to buy extenders. If you mount a Minn-Kota or Dual-Pro charger, the existing leads will be more than long enough to run to each battery location if you mount the charger beneath the console.

Buy a household fish tape to try to run your wires or use the good old fashioned coat hanger. You can easily run to the rear battery lead along side of the steering cable- My Mr. Pike (a 2005 is a bit different granted) just took time, but was easily done. 2 of my batteries are located in the center and one in the rear. I also ran my 110 volt power cord to the rear then installed a sealed plug-in (a Pro-mariner band) to plug in the charger.

There is validity to using three independant single battery chargers- BUT, then you have to mount all 3, then run run larger diameter stiffer 110 volt AC extension cables to supply power to them. It is much easier to buy a 3 bank charger and run the battery leads. 3 Single bank chargers will be more expensive than a single 3 bank charger.

Buy a high end charger. Most reputable battery chargers have a great track record. Dual-Pro, Minn-Kota, ProMariner/ Bass Pro all make decent chargers. Buy the largest AMP capacity you can afford to speed your recharge time...

 

[Pat Curtis]

Re: '02 Mr. Pike Battery Charger Installation

Thanks for the reply.


I was leaning towards a 3 bank Minn Kota...mainly b/c I could get the 315 model (3 bank-5 amps per bank) for $140. I don't really need a faster charger...but the 330 (3 bank-10 amps per bank) for a little over $200 isn't a bad deal (I have a gift certificate for BPS).

I wish I would have bought one last year, b/c they had mail-in rebates on most models. I had hoped they would extend the offer into this year as well, but haven't read anything that supports that hope.