Battery Chargers

[capecodder116]

I realize this sbject should be in the electrical forum but, one recevied one response to my question. Maybe I'll fair better in this forum.
I have removed the two batteries from boat for the winter and in the past winters have alternated putting a two amp charge on them each every other week for the winter months. However sometimes I forget or am away so not able to accomplish this. I'm wondering what advise or experience has been with float chargers. I have seen them around and found one at Harbor Freight for $7.50 each and wondering if anyone has a track record with this charger.....

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Battery Chargers

Two words. Lamp timer.

 

[paulie0735]

Re: Battery Chargers

I use the same battery as my car in my boat and just rotate them every 3 months regardless of the season. That’s a bit more work with 2 boat batteries but its still (IMO) the best way to get maximum life out of your batteries. Trickle charges have never worked very well for me, sure they keep them charged but they still don’t seem to last as long as they should unless you are actually using them.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery Chargers

Trickle chargers will boil out your battery...you need a float charger.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Battery Chargers

Have Harbor Freight cheap floaters on 8 batteries right now..second year, zero problems

 

[bijou22]

Re: Battery Chargers

I have a 5w solar panel on mine and have never needed to charge it all, it just provides enough to trickle charge it on the boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Battery Chargers

Your Batteries will Last Just as Long,+ Preform Just as Well,......
If you Just Leave them Alone.........

There's No Reasons What So Ever to maintain a Charger on a Battery that's sitting on the shelf......

 

[bijou22]

Re: Battery Chargers

Solar panel charging works for me. Before it my battery would die after being idle for long periods!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Battery Chargers

Solar panel charging works for me. Before it my battery would die after being idle for long periods!

Well,........
If it Works for You,........... That's Fine by Me.........

But,..... In My mind,.... It misses the Point,.....
Your Battery is Junk,......

Just by Definition,.....
A Battery is an Electrical Storage Device,..............

If it Needs Constant Charging,.... That means it's Incapable of Storing Electricity.........
There for,........................
It's Junk..............8)

 

[180shabah]

Re: Battery Chargers

Is your solar charger used on a battery that is still installed in the boat?

Makes a difference.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery Chargers

Is your solar charger used on a battery that is still installed in the boat?

Makes a difference.

And what difference would that be?

 

[180shabah]

Re: Battery Chargers

The rate if discharge - radio memory etc.

no drain = no need for charger

bijou stated that his battery was dead after sitting idle too long. mine sits on the back porch all winter and is fine in the spring. So, does he have a bad battery, or is it still installed and being drained?

Don't know.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery Chargers

I see what you were thinking.

I would think that he would have his battery turned off if he was not in the water and the battery was still in the boat..

 

[180shabah]

Re: Battery Chargers

if he has a switch, otherwise it is too much trouble.

It takes like 42 seconds.

 

[EarestTBass]

Re: Battery Chargers

There's No Reasons What So Ever to maintain a Charger on a Battery that's sitting on the shelf......

Actually.. there is.

A battery will naturally "self-discharge" even if there's nothing hooked to it. Also temperature plays a part in this process, cold temp slows the discharge.. heat speeds up the process.

Self-discharge in a battery leads to sulfation which will ruin a battery.

I also use two of the float chargers from Harbor Freight.

 

[Don S]

Re: Battery Chargers

Finish the story there ET. A good battery only looses approximatly .06V per month. You do the math on how long it takes to discharge.
We store a lot of boats both indoors and out. They do not get charger put on their batteries all winter and the good ones survive (usually around 99%). They all get fully charged and load tested before going into storage and again in the spring when they come out. If they fail the load test, the are recommended for replacement. But replacement is never done till the spring.
The need to bring a battery in where it's warm a cozy and constantly charged to keep it alive thru the winter is rediculous.
IF you NEED to keep them on a charger, then you are doing a lot of extra work to keep a bad battery.

 

[bijou22]

Re: Battery Chargers

My battery is kept on the boat all year round in all weathers with a solar panel attached to it and it never fails to start when I need it. I have done it this way for around 2 years and have had no problems.
There is also one of those battery cut off devices on there that cuts off the power should it drop below 11.9V.
I think its quite important to have this set up as before I started using solar, there would not be enough power in the battery to start it in winter after being idle for 8 weeks or more.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Battery Chargers

IF you NEED to keep them on a charger, then you are doing a lot of extra work to keep a bad battery.

Exactly,...........

I think its quite important to have this set up as before I started using solar, there would not be enough power in the battery to start it in winter after being idle for 8 weeks or more.

Bijou,........ You NEED a New Battery,........ Not a Solar Charger.........
Or,..... There's a Parasitic Draw on your System.........

 

[bijou22]

Re: Battery Chargers

Why do I need a new battery? they cost a small fortune and the solar panel does the job like it has for 2 years. Batteries will not stay charged during winter with no use as Don has said.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Battery Chargers

Batteries will not stay charged during winter with no use as Don has said.

That's Not at All what Don has Said,.............

A good battery only looses approximatly .06V per month. You do the math on how long it takes to discharge.

That's 6/100ths of a Volt, per Month.........

IF your Battery was Any Good,......... It'll hold a charge for a Year,+ Still start the boat