Automatic Trickle chargers

[87Stratos]

I have a 18' f/g fishing boat with closed compartments for the battery. I would like to mount the small EverStart automatic 1.5 amp charger inside the boat compartment near the battery so I can just plug in and charge with little hassle. Is this a good idea? I beleave these are water proof. Do I need to disconnect the charger from the battery if I unplug it from the wall (Can I run the boat with this type of charger connected to the battery but not plugged into an ac outlet)?

 

[singerjr]

Re: Automatic Trickle chargers

Hey 87,<br /><br />I have an on board charger and like the convienience of it very much. Mine is a "Pro" and it is water-proof ect...Nothing fancy just a good solid unit my local dealer sells and stands behind. Stays connected to battery, just plug it in when you get home.<br /><br />Read the label and instructions of the one you want to buy make sure it does everything you want it to do. Just get a good one, good ones are not expensive. Check out the "Pro's" in Cabela's they start at 90.00 and come with a 3 yr warranty. Than go to your dealer to buy it, my dealers price was the same as Cabela's.<br /><br />There are plenty of other good ones out there, just read the label.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[JB]

Re: Automatic Trickle chargers

Howdy, 87.<br /><br />A "closed" compartment for the battery? Just how "closed" is it?<br /><br />Lead acid batteries under charge must be ventilated! The charging chemistry releases hydrogen. In a sealed compartment a hydrogen/air mix accumulates. <br /><br />One spark, she go BOOOOM!!<br /><br />Be safe.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[singerjr]

Re: Automatic Trickle chargers

JB, by your question mark I guess you think it odd to have a "closed battery compartment" They really aren’t closed, a more accurate description is “Vented Battery Compartment”, that’s the description in my manual. They are fairly common on bass or fishing type boats usually the carpeted boats with compartments all over the place for everything. Most are lockable as well for security. A very nice feature to have on a boat, batteries can walk.<br /><br />The manufactures design these battery compartments to prevent the build up of gasses. I have two such compartments (2 batteries) and both are well vented. If they weren’t you would have a potentially dangerous situation at any time especially when the motor was charging the battery. I’m glad you pointed out the dangers of a closed battery compartment because even though I know mine is vented I shouldn’t assume others are, also you wouldn’t to place a battery in a compartment that wasn’t designed for it!<br /><br />87, on the charger itself there should a warning to "Only connect charger in well ventilated area", the Pro units have this warning. If your compartment is anything like mine it is vented and you too will have to open the door/hatch to plug the unit in, and you will not be able to close the hatch while charging. This is new to me too but the compartments are designed for this and the dealer was the one to suggest the charging unit and they installed it. <br /><br />Hope this was informative.<br /><br />

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Automatic Trickle chargers

87Stratos<br /><br />If you do mount it permanently, add in an inline fuse. If the charger fails internally, a fuse will prevent the charge leads from turning into a HEATING ELEMENT. (5amp should do)<br /><br />

 

[JB]

Re: Automatic Trickle chargers

Howdy, Capt. U. <br /><br />Yes, I am familiar with the carpeted bass boats. I had a Tracker Tournament Pro V 17 or some such moniker that had two batteries enclosed in non-ventilated compartments. They weren't air tight compartments, mind you, just not ventilated.<br /><br />The troller battery wasn't a problem because I opened the compartment to charge it, but the starter battery compartment was a disaster waiting to happen until I put a row of 1" holes accross the bulkhead so that air was forced through it anytime the boat was in motion.<br /><br />Any one who has seen what a couple of cubic feet of hydrogen/air mixture can do when ignited in an enclosure will be forever paranoid about battery compartments. My education came from a Wincharger system that had batteries in a steel cabinet and had the misfortune to have a poor electrical connection. The 4x4x8 shed was splinters and the sheet metal roof was 100' away. The cabinet was literally turned inside-out.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB