What type of battery charger do I need

[rasnattydred]

I have a Bayliner Capri 1854 ski/fish. It has two deep cycle batteries, one powering the starboard side and one powering the port side. We use the boat on the weekends and I want something to charge up the batteries during the week to keep them full for the weekends. I want something inexpensive. They told me I need a 12v 10 amp battery charger to charge the deep cycle, but I felt like they were selling me the most expensive one. Can I use a 12v 5amp battery charger. Any advice or info on this?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: What type of battery charger do I need

Depends on how fast you want it charged. For a 60A hour battery, it would take 12+ hours to completely charge it at 5 amps. Actually, it would be 50% longer because the battery charger will always taper as it charges. Also, a 10A charger which is 2 banks typically is 5A per bank.

 

[rasnattydred]

Re: What type of battery charger do I need

Depends on how fast you want it charged. For a 60A hour battery, it would take 12+ hours to completely charge it at 5 amps. Actually, it would be 50% longer because the battery charger will always taper as it charges. Also, a 10A charger which is 2 banks typically is 5A per bank.

Well I only use the boat on the weekends so I don't need it to recharge fast, it can charge all week. I was told by a battery charger sales man that I couldn't charge my 75 hour deep cyle marine battery with anything less than 10amps because the charger would be too weak and go into some over charge mode and fry my battery. Should I just get a trickle charger ? I am confused.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: What type of battery charger do I need

buy a three stage battery charger and you will be fine. You won't overcharhge that way.

One of these will work. They have a 2 bank 5/5 charger on sale.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...7-0?ordProd=Y&CMID=TOP_selectitems#itemDetail

I have the Guest 2611A charger. You can find them for less than $100. Ton of them on Ebay. They are a great charger.