How Long To Charge Battery??

[riden]

Newbie question.<br /><br />Just bought the boat, running a combination deep cycle/cranking battery.<br /><br />It has been trickle charging over 24 hrs. Any auto battery I have owned that does this usaully is hooped.<br /><br />Is this unusaul for a deep cycle battery, or should I start shopping?

 

[Boatist]

Re: How Long To Charge Battery??

Throw You manual trickle charge away and buy a good quality Automatic charger of 10 amps or more. Even at 10 amps can take 24 hour to charge a group 27 or larger battery that is deeply discharged. By the way should charge at least once a month and never deeply discharge any Lead Acid battery.

 

[riden]

Re: How Long To Charge Battery??

HA<br /><br />I threw my trickle charger away years ago, and glad I did.<br /><br />I have a good quality charger, but I have been trickling the battery at the 2 amp setting.<br /><br />It charged at 10 amps, but I usaully keep charging at 2 amps afterwards to ensure the battery is fully charged.<br /><br />I am just very surprised it is taking so long.<br /><br />You are saying this is normal??

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: How Long To Charge Battery??

Riden, one of the batteries on our bass boat can charge for days at 6+ amps, thats usually an indication of a battery fixing to go south. I've never seen any deep cycle battery, even super heavy duty ones used on offshore oil rigs, that could take a charge that long.

 

[riden]

Re: How Long To Charge Battery??

I gave in and bought a new battery.<br /><br />The old one can be my second.

 

[Boatist]

Re: How Long To Charge Battery??

When we run the trolling motor all day prefishing before a tournament and start charging as soon as get home about 1400 with a 10 amp charger the group 27 deep cycle will not be fully charged if time to fish the Tournament the next day at 0300.<br /><br />When deep cycle batteries are discharged more than 50 percent it does damage to the battery. Starting battery below 80 percent also damaged.<br />The longer it is discharged the more damage is done but so many think 2 amps is the best way to charge. I like a 15 or 20 amp smart automatic charger. Only thing is do not charge in the sun when it is 108 degrees outside.<br /><br />I have so many friends that have big deep cycle batteries in there campers or motor homes and charge with their 100 to 150 amp alternator and still the battery last 5 or 6 years. Of course these alternators are regulated at some where around 14 to 14.4 volts. Newer one start out as high 15 volts and drop down to about 14 volts as the temperature raises.<br /><br />The guy I know that use dump 2 amp trickle charger have to replace batteries every year or two.<br /><br />Smart automatic charger will charge at a high rate to get a large part of the charge put back in rapidly. Then they switch to a lower voltage to finish the charge. If left connected will shut off conpletly the turn back on when needed.