Help needed with on-board charger

[margep]

I just purchased 218 Elite from Chatlee. I have 3 batteries on board; 2 batteries dedicated to the trolling motor, the 3rd is for cranking and running the electronics (stereo, vhf, gps/ff). Should I install a 2-bank charger for the trolling motor batteries only? Or should I install a 3-bank charger and include the cranking battery with the 2 trolling batteries? Last question (for now), which charger do you recommend?

[al_e._gator]

If you have a good way to route the wires I think you should get the 3 bank charger. That way you only have to plug in the power cable and you're good to go. Factory extension cables are available if the standard wires aren't long enough to reach the cranking battery.

[lakebiker]

I just purchased 218 Elite from Chatlee. I have 3 batteries on board; 2 batteries dedicated to the trolling motor, the 3rd is for cranking and running the electronics (stereo, vhf, gps/ff). Should I install a 2-bank charger for the trolling motor batteries only? Or should I install a 3-bank charger and include the cranking battery with the 2 trolling batteries? Last question (for now), which charger do you recommend?


I went with the 2 bank just for the troller. Seems the engine keeps the cranking battery charged up pretty good.

[workinprogress]

Lakebiker--I'm no expert on this and have no intentions of permanent mounting a battery charger on board my little j16, but I am looking into one of the Battery Tenders. Its basically like the multi bank chargers you guys are talking about except I set it in the boat at home and connect to my 3 batteries with alligator clips. Here's the thing, and I would like to hear some other opinions on this, but the big selling point for the Battery Tender (and other similar devices) is that it always maintains your battery at 100% charge without overcharging. A trickle charger has no "brain" and will overcharge, shortening the usable life of the battery. On the other end of the spectrum, you just let your alternator keep your starting battery more or less charged. In theory (theirs) a battery that is not stored at full charge also has its usable life shortened. The charger I am considering and these "plug it in and walk away" style permanent mount chargers charge to 100% and then turn off until the battery looses the slightest percentage of full charge, then they kick back in restore to 100% charge. There are claims of up to doubling battery life using these systems, plus you ALWAYS know, even if the boats been sitting a month, that you are leaving the house with fully charged batteries.

Hopefully someone else will jump in here and either support or disprove the claims made about these charging systems and their relation to overall battery longevity.

[margep]

Thanks to all for your comments. I'm shopping now, which brings up a pile of questions, for a charger. So many to choose from, from so many places. Anybody have an inside track on make, model and dealer.

[bigfish3]

I have a battery tender wiht the Harley logo for my Electraglide. I don not have it on a boat, but I can say that if you are looking for a walkaway solution it is hard to beat.

I have the permanent pigtail mounted on the battery itself. plug it in and dont worry about it.

The Electraglide has a clock in the stereo that is always pulling current. I do not winterize my bike as I will ride all winter if the roads are dry and the temps are over 28.

The tender will keep the battery right up on top but never overcharge. I am not sure how long it would take to fully recover a completely dishcarged battery or if it is even possible using this device. If you intedn to use it for long term storage, it excels at that task.

Cheers,
Butch

[workinprogress]

I am not sure how long it would take to fully recover a completely dishcarged battery or if it is even possible using this device.

Yes it is possible. Most of these chargers are 3-stage. Completely discharged bat-high amperage, 70% or better-medium amperage, (trickle charge level) and 98% charge or better--very low level charge that shuts off at 100% charge.

I don't mean to sound like a know-it-all, but I just spent a little time researching this topic, but all I know is what I've read. How about some more of you with experience with these kind of chargers.
http://batterytender.com/why_batterytender.php

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Margep, welcome aboard. What i would do is get a two bank charger for up front and a single for the house battery, if you planning add another starting battery, get both 2 bank.If you get the 3 bank, the wires are not long enough to reach both locations.As far as charger brand, guest is number one in my book.

[workinprogress]

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/chargers/info.asp?pg=basicmultistage

Here's an explanation of the 3 stage charging I mentioned. My percentages were a little off.

[Shakespeare]

Whatever you end up with, just make sure you apply the 20% rule to the recharging of your deep cycle batteries. The maximum charge rate shouldn't exceed 20% of the AH (amp-hour) capacity of the battery. Generally a 10 - 20 amp charge rate is appropriate for deep cycle batteries and less (trickle charge, 2 amps) is even better.

Mike C.

[dlvphyllis258]

Margep, From personal experience, if you do put a charger on your starting battery, make absolutely sure the ignition and battery switch for the starting battery are in the off positions before you power the charger. You risk the possibility of burning out parts of the ignition electronics for the motor. $400 lesson. Phyllis

[cheez]

I am a fan of the ProMariner brand chargers for several reasons. They come with a lifetime warranty. Although prorated you will never pay more than 50% of the cost of the charger for life. They have several different models and amp ratings. They were the inventors of 3 step charging. Best of all they are made right here in the USA in New Hampshire. That means a lot to me. The battery tender will be good for the cranking battery. The research that I have done shows that trickle chargers are bad for modern deep cycle batteries. Deep cycle batteries need to be charged at a much faster rate. Somewhere near but not to exceed 20% of the amp/hour rating of the battery. 10 amps per bank is about the best all around charge rate for the vast majority of deep cycle batteries.
Onboard chargers will at the least double the life of your batteries and I have heard as much as trippling their life. I will never have a boat without one.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I always used Guest and i'm very happy with them and me too agree on the life span for the batteries.I do not remember changing batteries on a boat the last 20 years, the secret is have the charger on ALL THE TIME.