Charging batteries

[llfish]

Is it possible to charge batteries using the towing vehicle? This would include a deep cycle battery. Or would I be better off getting a solar charger?

Thanks for the help.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Charging batteries

i don't think either would be very efficient, to cost. most use the solar chargers on boats that are moored, to keep the anchor lights working. what are you using these batteries for ?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Charging batteries

Forget solar. A unit large enough for that purpose is very spendy and is a target for thieves. Charging from the car is possible but again, unless you drive for a considerable distance, the batteries will not be fully charged. An on-board charger that can be plugged into 110 AC at home or your storage site is best. But then if 110 is not available, removing the batteries and charging them at home is the only option.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Charging batteries

I have heard some people use one of these but I know nothing about them. http://www.raystackle.com/

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Charging batteries

Using the Smart Box will depend to a large extent on how big a motor you have and what the alternator output is. If you have 15A or less alternator, you will add very little to the battery and would have to run for hours at wide open throttle to fully charge the trolling battery. This device is not a replacement for a portable or on-board smart charger. The other device for charging while driving is more practical but it too is not as good as a portable or on-board charger in my view.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Charging batteries

imho, looks like a gimmick. charge at home, the night before. no need to charge while driving to the ramp. if you are spending the weekend fishing and camping, who is going to load the boat, and drive for 100 miles to recharge the trolling battery. sounds better to spend $80 on a spare battery and charge before you leave.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Charging batteries

Or buy a small Honda generator.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Charging batteries

I wired my boat to charge both batteries thru a battery isolator from My I/O's 40 amp alternator.

I also have a 12 volt wire from my trucks battery charged by a 65 amp alternator that run back to my trailer plug on a 8 guage wire. I have a plug on the bow of the boat that connects to this 12 volt ware from the truck. This wire runs thru the same battery isolator in the boat to charge both batteries.

I do not charge that way very often but then the only cost to install was for a 20 amp auto reset circuit breaker. I already had the 8 guage wire to the truck trailer plug used to charge battery in travel trailer. Boat from the bow to the battery isolator I use a 25 foot 12 guage extension cord but remover the plug end to hook to the isolator and block.

Added this after one time in the spring I hook up muff and started boat before first trip of the year. However somehow left the key on durning 1.5 hour trip to launch site. Motor would not even turn over. Had to jump between batteries in the boat to start but then it charged up good. So I thought the circuit is already there for my camp trailer why not use it for the boat also.
Eaiser than getting into two batteries boxes in the dark to jump start.

Last thing I did was make an adapter for for my battery charger to plug into the same bow plug. This way I can charge both batteries with out takeing the cover off and climing in the boat to hook up charger. Makes it so much eaiser to charge the batteries in winter off seasons.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Charging batteries

Like others mentioned, it is even easier is to get an onboard charger and just leave the boat plugged in when it is at home. A smart charger won't cook your batteries and you are always guaranteed that the batteries are fully charged when you are ready to go.