onboard charger

Just wondering what type of onboard battery charger I should get? I have only 2 batteries, 1 for the motor and 1 for the TM. I really only want the charger for the TM. So what kind of charger do you have and what are the pro's/con's of it. thanks for all help.

Get a 2-bank, 10A per bank charger. It will charge the batteries overnight, and will pay for itself in extended battery life and convenience. If there is any chance you'll switch to a 24V TM or go to a 2 battery 12V system in the future, go with a 3-bank and tape off the extra leads.

Agree with Cat Fan. two bank is quicker and can be used for other batteries. BPO pro mariner/.. is what I have ..have had some issue with it but made good by BPO. I would get a mina kota

Got my first boat back in Feb, went to BPS and bought thier brand 5/5/5 onboard charger, hooked it up to all three batts, followed directions, plugged in and they charged for almost 15 hrs and never showed a green CHARGED light and the batteries were sizzling like bacon,,took it out and back to BPS for refund and went to wally world and bought a shumacher marine charger, does just fine, usually takes 6-8 hrs to fully charge a drained battery.

Just had this converstion with the fellow that helps me with my boat, and I'm getting on installed soon.

Here's what I think I understand about it. A two bank charger will independently charge either battery when they get low (from use or sitting in the winter). You can keep it plugged up and it will do it's deal automatically. No need to unplug it while in storage. A good two bank will cost somewhere in the nighborhood of $175.-$250., depending on where you get it. E-bay, WallyWorld, or a Marina. Since it helps the life of an expensive set of batteries, I wouldn't go cheapest. But, the top of the line for a two bank probably is overkill.

If I've mis-stated any of what I think I know, somebody correct me.

I got one from Cabelas, I think its made by Pro Mariner. Had it for 4 years and it always has done good for me, They usually have them on sale in the Bargain Cave. Billy

I've had good luck with the XPS chargers myself. I doubt they are top of the line, but they're priced accordingly. The one thing that appealed to me about the XPS that other chargers don't do is the amp switching. So, if you have 1 cranking and 1 TM batt, normally, the alternator will top off the cranking batt on the way back in or at least it's state of charge would normally be higher than the TM batt. The XPS will detect the state of charge and switch the available amps from one lead to the other. In effect, you get a 10 amp charger for the price of a 5, or a 15 for the price of a 10.

I know this was happening because it said so on the box. :)

I run a dual pro now. Typically, I run lower end batts, just above the wal-mart level. If I were one to invest big buck in a high end batts, I'd invest in a high end charger to match and protect my investment. The dual pro is a high end brand IMO. I just got lucky and it came with the boat.

These are all just my opinions, but happen to be correct by coincidence.

Wannabe...

I have a 2 bank Dual Pro that I ordered with the boat. It's connected to my 2 trolling motor batteries that are still going strong and this is their 5th year. I added a single bank bps model charger when I was having issues with my starting battery a couple years ago. It helped but a 2 dollar screw type disconnect cured any issue i was having and it too is on its 5th year. I like both chargers but the dual pro which was over 200 dollars 5 yrs ago has never let me down. I bought the bps model when it was on sale and I was looking for a cure.

I have a MinnKota three bank 10/10/10, that has given me good service. 5 amp chargers take a long time to recharge a low battery.

I use the bass pro xps 5/5 2-bank chargers...I think they are actually made by pro mariner..

I have 4 batteries in my boat and I considered buying a 4 bank...big $$$$

On second thought I decided on two 2-bank chargers because if one of the chargers gives me trouble I can use the 1 good one (switchin wires back and forth) while I am replacing the bad charger...