Can I charge battery with automatic bilge pump still connected?

[bullgator99]

I have a Xantrex 20amp charger charging a group 24 cranking battery on one bank and two group 27's in parallel on a second bank. Until now my boat was stored out of the water, and I had a disconnect switch that isolated the batteries for charging. Now I keep my boat in the water and I need for the automatic bilge pump to remain powered. Is it okay to have the bilge pump connected to the battery while it charges? My Xantrex manual is a bit vague -- they seem to discourage it but at the same time say it's kinda okay. Anybody have a similar setup?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can I charge battery with automatic bilge pump still connected?

Is it okay to have the bilge pump connected to the battery while it charges?

Ayuh,... It won't hurt a thing...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Can I charge battery with automatic bilge pump still connected?

The engine charges the batteries when it is running so having a charger on the battery is no different. If the charger is not a smart charger then it would do more harm to the battery than the pump.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Can I charge battery with automatic bilge pump still connected?

Yeah, as above. I have a pro-mariner charger on my boat and never had a problem leaving the boat turned on and the charger plugged in for just that reson, to keep the bilge pump ready to go.

 

[bullgator99]

Re: Can I charge battery with automatic bilge pump still connected?

Thanks!