Battery charger reccomendations

[dihwp734]

I only have one battery on my boat that is used for starting(Yamaha F100), sonar/GPS, trim tabs and occasional use of livewell pump. The battery is a deep cycle 24 series. What kind of portable battery charger can I use to maintain this battery and keep it charged between trips? I have never used a battery charger and I don't know what amp charger to purchase.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Battery charger reccomendations

I would buy one in 10 amp range. I would recommend one that has a automatic setting and both convental and maintenance free or deep cycle. I would avoid the one that have a 50 to 70 amp starter circuit as I have seen them blow alternator diodes. I have two batteries both group 24. One is a deep cycle delco voyager and other standard auto starting Battery. I use the type above and batteries last about 6 years on average. You can spend a lot of money on a multi stage battery charger but I do not think it is worth it. I try and charge my batteries when I get home while we are unloading the boat and every two months in winter when boat is sometimes just sitting. Has never took more than an hour to charge both batteries. My boat engine does have and altnator but many times we are fishing all day running Radio, Loran C, Gps, and Depth finder and only have a short run back to the dock. Both Sears and Wallmart sell some good units.

 

[495v]

Re: Battery charger reccomendations

My 2 cents, first off I would suggest getting another battery, this way you have one cranking battery for starting the engine, and the other deep cycle for electronics and such. Second off, unless you have the need to recharge your batteries in a short period of time, I would recommend the a 2 amp charger. Most portable units have both 2 amp and 10 amp. Also, depending on what you were planning on spending for a portable, you may consider one that mounts in the boat, they are great for monitoring the batteries over winter. Check out this site<br /> web page

 

[martyscher]

Re: Battery charger reccomendations

I recently purchased a Schumaker (name brand) battery charger from a discount auto parts store, which is the exact same model that Walmart sells, with a different name.<br /><br />It has a trickle mode for deep cycle batteries, with charge meter and auto shutoff. It also has a 50 amp quick charge setting, if you need to start a dead vehicle battery.<br /><br />I paid $36.

 

[JEllwanger]

Re: Battery charger reccomendations

Me, too, Marty. Just set it up this weekend. Got much use out of yours yet? Does the auto shut off work?

 

[martyscher]

Re: Battery charger reccomendations

Hi JEllwanger<br /><br />Haven't used it for a vehicle (lucky)yet, but I slap on on the troll battery after every voyage.<br /><br />I don't run the troll battery way down much (yet), but the charger takes it back up. I usually only get the green "fully charged" light only if I leave it on all night.<br /><br />Seems to do the job.<br /><br />I thought about an on-board charger, but the prices are ridiculus, for what you get, which is mostly convenience.

 

[Lund Mr Pike]

Re: Battery charger reccomendations

I purchased two guest chargers and absolutely love them. I plug them in when I get done fishing and in a matter of hours the batteries are fully charged, if i leave them on they switch to a maintain charge and keep the batteries fresh. I have them mounted next to the batteries and always hooked up so all I have to go is plug the outlet in the wall, prop open the battery compartment and Im done.

 

[JEllwanger]

Re: Battery charger reccomendations

Hooked up the Schumacher, worked fine. Filled the cells with distilled water before I started and followed the instructions for charging out of the vehicle (section of 6AWG wire on the negative side). No overheating. Pretty impressed since the battery had been sitting for a year unused or charged.