Battery tenders/chargers Good or Bad??

[avi8or3117]

Hello,

I ws wondering if when you connect a battery tender up to your boat(an onboard one) is that ok for your boats electrical system?


Example
Battery on boat, installed, and connected properely. Can you have the battery tender connected to the terminals(along with the other wires) and plugged in? Is this ok for the boats electrical system or should I disconnect the other wires when charging?

THANKS

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Battery tenders/chargers Good or Bad??

The battery tender is no different, actually it is less, than having the engine running and the alternator charging the battery while you are underway.

Not an issue!

 

[jdlough]

Re: Battery tenders/chargers Good or Bad??

Once again, I agree with Willie.


Of course it's a good idea to leave your FishFinder and other junk turned off.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Battery tenders/chargers Good or Bad??

AS jd pointed out all the stuff on the boat is shut off anyhow and the stuff on the boat can't tell the difference from a charge or the battery, it is just power.

If it bothers you put in a battery switch, then you can disconnect the power from the boat so there is no drain and othing could possible hurt by a charger.

I have a Guest on board charger on my boat with a disconnect, I use the baoo stereo in the garage all the time wiht it plugged in and have no probelms.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Battery tenders/chargers Good or Bad??

I got a pro-mariner marine charger. Keep it hooked up all the time when not in water. Maintains my batt's in the winter to. Also does something called desulpherization which is supposed to make your batteries last longer. Nice to know all batteries topped off when head to water. I use a lot of juice when trolling with four electric downriggers and all the electronics going. Radar is the worst. My little 9.9 pro kicker won't keep up and at least that batt needs a little help at home between trips.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Battery tenders/chargers Good or Bad??

You may find it interesting that both my AC/Delco and Interstate Grp. 27 Deep cycle batteries recommend against the use the battery tenders or trickle chargers. They go on to say that the discharge rate is so low that you do not need one. If the battery is discharged to the point of needing recharged, you need to use a proper battery charger

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Battery tenders/chargers Good or Bad??

My deep cycle says the same thing. I researched on board chargers and this one says (if you can believe the manufauturer hype) that it shuts off after the batt's are fully charged. After that it checks condition and sosen't do anything unless needed. Time will tell.

 

[avi8or3117]

Re: Battery tenders/chargers Good or Bad??

Thanks everyone for the feedback! Very useful information.

Paul

 

[BowPro]

Re: Battery tenders/chargers Good or Bad??

Here's my new Minn Kota 3 bank charger. I love it. Its a digital tender. Got an inset outlet plug on the passenger side wall. Plug in and do no more. Lights for each bank show charge status.