Battery Charger leads

[blifsey]

I can't see spending hundreds of $$$ on an onboard charger given I don't fish tournaments or have need to charge batteries anywhere besides at home. So, I've tried to think of easier way to recharge TM batteries than dragging two deep cycle "box" chargers out to boat, pulling out extension cord, etc. I park the boat beside my shop so I'm thinking about building a shelf inside the shop for the chargers and running heavy gage wire out the shop to boat. I would put alligator clips on the boat end to connect to batteries. In the shop end, I would connect the wires to a terminal block that would isolate each wire and allow me to connect the battery charger leads. How far and what gage wire could I use? Is it even feasible to extend the charger leads without harming battery, charger or reducing charging ability? I was thinking either 4 or 6 gage stranded wire with length being 15 to 20 feet. Even thought about getting a 220 grounded recept. and plug for the boat side for quick connects.<br /><br />Thoughts? Thanks,<br />BL...

 

[DJ]

Re: Battery Charger leads

BLifsy,<br /><br />6 guage for 15 to 20 feet would be adequate.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Battery Charger leads

Thanks djohns19...This sounds like a easier/cheaper solution, I've just never seen anyone do it. Made me think there could be problems doing that way. Guess I'll head to Home Depot for some wire!<br /><br />BL...

 

[steelespike]

Re: Battery Charger leads

B,Wire size depends on charger output.<br /> 12 gauge will carry 20 amps should be enough for most chargers.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Battery Charger leads

Thanks, charger is only 10amp.<br /><br />BL...

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Battery Charger leads

BL, this is just what i would do in your situation. i would simply get a contractor grade extension cord to do your extension. it should be a guage or 2 'stronger'. i would look for 12g or 10 if available. i think HomeDepot has them. you should end up cutting it short as this will save on resistance/heat.<br /><br />i picked up a plug at West for my TM and it comes in a pack with male & female, and it spins/locks in place... this might be something to add to your batteries either per battery, or tying both together, to plug to charger.<br /><br />are your 2 batteries intended to be on separate circuits in the boat and not drain one another? - then put 2 separate female plugs on the batteries and leavem hanging for charging whenever you're ready.<br /><br />then you could put a 'y' on the ext cord for charging both batts same time, and use 2 male plugs. back in shop you could use another male on the ext cord with female on the charger. you're probably talking about 1 charger, right? you don't need 2 chargers for 2 batteries. of course the amt of time to charge multiple batteries will vary. but a slow charge is good anyhow.<br /><br />i see your main concern is guage of wire. you can go by charts & i could look up the chart in the electrical manual, but it comes down to whether your 'extender' will handle the current. i think you'd find an contractor grade extension cord would not overheat/fuse, and it'd be cheaper to at least try it, than go pay $$$perfoot for 4/6 gauge wire. <br /><br />just what i'd try unless someone can tell you they've done it and it won't work. i'm no engineer or marine wrench, but spent numerous yrs rebuilding starting/charging systems as a younger man. <br /><br />ps: if you have access to free welding leads, then you can skip this, since they have 6+g wire in them... and make great jumper cables.