Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

[NeWcS]

Can anyone tell me the best way to pick a on-board battery charger? 12v system. 2 Batterys.<br /><br />I have no idea how these work. Do you some how hook it up to the outboard and it charges like that?<br /><br />Also, Is this somoething the average guy can install???<br /><br />Thank you,<br /><br />-Jay

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

You didn't tell us what type of boat you have and what the batteries are powering. One obviously is the starting battery which the engine will keep charged if the alternator is working properly. If the other battery is for a trolling motor, you will need an on-board charger. If the second battery is just a spare, you might consider a simple battery switch that allows you to select OFF - BAT 1 - BAT 2 - BOTH. The engine would be able to keep up with both batteries since neither one would have a very significant load. On-board chargers have one, two or three sets of 12V outputs so you can charge 1, 2, or three batteries at once. These are powered by 110ac not from the engine. Most of these chargers are automatic and can be left plugged in indefinitely without overcharging. They are easy to install. Most engines don't have enough output to keep extra batteries charged unless you make high speed runs over very long distances so on-board chargers are essential in my view. A two output charger (5 or 6 amps per output) would probably work fine on your boat but we really need to know what your running with those batteries.

 

[contractor]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

Jay,<br />I just got through installing two on-board chargers on three batteries each.<br />I used the Pro Mariner triple bank units. You would only need their double.<br />Simple to install. They give a booklet with very easy to follow directions as well as diagrams.<br />Go to www.pmariner.com. I purchased mine from Bass Pro Shops online.

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

Originally posted by Upinsmoke:<br /> These are powered by 110ac not from the engine.

I guess im confused. How does the battery charger charge the battery, Where does it get its power from? I have to batterys. 1 for starting and the other for trolling motor.<br /><br />Thank you!<br /><br />-Jay

 

[Boatist]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

You just plug it into a 110 volt outlet at your home or at the dock. If your trolling motor is electric then trying to charge trolling motor battery on the water is not practical, as it takes 10 to 20 hours to recharge at 10 amps.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

Jay, any battery charger that I am familiar with is powered by 110V AC. These units are used to charge the boat batteries while at dock, or while the boat is on the trailer in your driveway. If you are wanting to charge your second battery via the engine while the boat is running, that is something else.....not a battery charger.<br />It would help if you posted what year, make and size engine you have.<br />If you spend most of your time running the outboard and very little time trolling, you could use a battery switch or battery combiner to charge both batteries from the engine. If, however, you do considerable trolling, your outboard's alternator will take forever to recharge a drained deep cycle battery.<br /> Post some more info on your boat and how you use it and what you want to do.

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

The prob is I live in a apartment and my boat stays at a storage unit. To charge the battery I have to pull the battery carry it upstairs and hook it to my wall charger. A PITA!<br /><br />The motors are:<br />2001 Mercury 75ELPTO Outboard Motor<br />2002 Mercury 5ML 4-Stroke Kicker<br /><br />Ill use the kicker for long trolls but would still like to use the trolling motor to stay on structure.<br /><br />-Jay

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

There are three options. 1) Plug into 110 ac, 2)Charge from the engine, or 3) Remove the battery and charge at home. As was pointed out earlier, a deeply discharged trolling battery will take forever to recharge from the engine so #2 is not a very good option although it might extend your time on the water slightly. A fourth option is a solar panel but a panel large enough to charge the battery is very expensive and of course, it must "see the sun" and would be a target for thieves as well.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

It sounds like you are stuck with dragging the battery upstairs to charge it. That is the downside to storing a boat at a storage unit and living in an apartment. I am guessing the storage facility does not have any accessible plugs you could use, or that they would even be willing to let you use their power in the first place. I also assume you don't have a buddy with a house you could keep the boat at (I am sure you explored that option thoroughly). Good luck though...

 

[DangerDan]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

extension cord? any where that stores a boat should know this is part of the plan,,,!

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

What about this? http://raystackle.com/ <br /><br /><br />Seems like if this works it would be what im looking for. Anyone have any input of these, weather they work or not?<br /><br />Thank you<br /><br />-Jay

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

Also, If running 2 batterys Parallel, Would I use a (1) bank charger since in a way im only charging 1 battery??<br /><br />-Jay

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

Is your storage facility outside or inside?

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

Outside, And as far as I know there are NO power hookups.<br /><br />-Jay

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

Yes there is, the sun. Of course it all depends on what areas may or may not be available to mount a panel but very good panels/controllers are available that would keep your batts charged.<br /><br />Research solar power, you may be pleasantly surprised

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

Not sure I could mount one of those at a storage place w/o it getting ripped off.<br /><br /><br />-Jay

 

[burroak]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

Not sure I could mount one of those at a storage place w/o it getting ripped off.<br /><br /><br />-Jay

You are setting parameters that are hard to work with. I'll toss out another other idea. Will an AC inverter power up a 5-6 amp charger? If so, Connect the a charger to your onboard battery, plugg it into an inverter which can be powered by the towing vehicle. If you live too close to the launch site, you may have to drive around for a while, but you could charge the battery going and coming.

Maybe on a more serious note, you could set up a charging method using your car/truck alternator. Yes, you would have to remove the battery and put it in your vehicle and hook it up but it would always be with you.(Forgetting a boat battery makes for a bad start of a day on the water).

 

[cosander]

Re: Picking/Installing a on-board battery charger

can you "borrow" electric from your storage with this?
http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/12-34-outlet-adapters/plug-base-234666.aspx