Which Onboard Charger?

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02-04-2010, 08:31 AM
gabowman

Which Onboard Charger?

Every time I go fishing and get home, I immediately hook up my charger to the two batteries that runs my trolling motor...which I always leave hooked up in parallel. The motor always keeps the cranking battery charged so I never need to charge it but if I ever do, charging with my portable wont be a problem.

My question is....I always charge the 2 batteries in parallel set on 2 amps with my portable charger and they are fully charged the next morning. So....if I decided to add an onboard charger how powerful of a charger would you guys recommend? Another question, with my current setup, with a lead hooked to the cranking battery and another lead hooked to the trolling batteries what happens when the cranking batt gets a full charge but more charging is still needed on the trolling batteries? Does all onboard chargers automatically switch to just maintaining the batteries (trickle charging) so you never need to unhook the charger before your next fishing trip? Thx.
02-04-2010, 08:44 AM
TnT

Most on board chargers have a "Transfer on Demand" feature. Mine is only a 2 bank with 5 amps on each bank. What this does is once 1 battery is fully charged, the 5 amps that was being delivered to that battery is transferred to the other battery giving it a 10 charge until fully charged. It distributes 100% of its available charging amps to any one bank or combination of all battery banks. All unused charging amps are Transferred-on-Demand to batteries on board requiring additional amps. Some chargers do not have this feature and they have a fixed amp limit per bank...Hope this helps.
02-04-2010, 08:56 AM
CatFan

Get at least 5A per bank, preferably 10A. The more quickly you get the battery charged (up to a point) the longer the battery will last. Most onboard chargers are actually 3 individual chargers that don't care what the other banks are doing. Some now have the ability to charge whatever battery needs it.

Onboards do not operate as trickle chargers when the battery is charged, they are float-mode chargers. Float-mode maintains a low charhing voltage to reduce gassing while monitoring the battery current draw, while trickle chargers are typically around 2A fixed current which can boil a battery dry.

A 2A charger will struggle to charge two batteries in parallel. As they age, losses during charging increase until 1A per battery won't do much but make the battery warm. You should charge at 10A if that's available, or even 15A if your charger can do it. Don't trust a charger that says automatic or manual. These things will destroy more batteries than anything else. Use a charger that says "Smart Charger" or "3 or 4 Stage Charger" to get full charges and longer battery life.
02-04-2010, 09:27 AM
Don G

I have had good luck with these chargers & they are made in the USA

Pro Charging Systems
02-04-2010, 09:38 AM
Barnacle Bill

Catfan is right on. When you get home from fishing, plug it in and forget it until time to go again.
02-04-2010, 10:19 AM
rnvinc

I have the BPS XPS 5-5 chargers...I think they are actually made by Pro-Mariner...for BPS...
02-04-2010, 10:36 AM
TnT

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnvinc

I have the BPS XPS 5-5 chargers...I think they are actually made by Pro-Mariner...for BPS...

How warm does your charger get when it is actually charging? I just put that same charger in my boat yesterday.
02-04-2010, 11:01 AM
Barnacle Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by TnT

How warm does your charger get when it is actually charging? I just put that same charger in my boat yesterday.

I use the 5-5-5 and it is normal for them to get pretty warm.
02-04-2010, 06:26 PM
rnvinc

No so warm that you can't touch it..but pretty warm....
02-04-2010, 08:29 PM
WE16

Quote:

Originally Posted by TnT

How warm does your charger get when it is actually charging? I just put that same charger in my boat yesterday.

I have the XPS 4/4 and it gets uncomfortably hot.
I never have any problem with the charger not being able to charge the trolling motor battery back up overnight. Since the start battery is usually close to full charge, the trolling motor battery should be getting 8 amps of charge. I get back from fishing, plug the charger in and leave it. Ready to go any time.

After many years if working around batteries and chargers, I like to keep the charging amps as low as possible but still charge overnight. I am not an engineer, just the guy who for the last 30 years had to clean up the mess after batteries got hot, melded down, and exploded from being charged to fast. Heat from weather or charging is a battery worst enemy
02-04-2010, 08:55 PM
tacklebox2tn

I have used this Guest onboard charger for about 8 yrs. It's got a maintenance mode and it is only slightly warm. It have held up to alot of use and pounding in my alum boat. I run 24v tm and start batteries.

15 Amp Three Battery Application Charger | Marinco
02-04-2010, 09:36 PM
Jet Boy

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonG

I have had good luck with these chargers & they are made in the USA

Pro Charging Systems

I agree.....mine is four years old and no issues.
02-04-2010, 10:56 PM
LittleJohn

gabowman,I've the Three bank Pro Charger 15 amps. I would reccomend this one that way you can charged all batteries at once. I believe you do alot of night fishing and when using your starting battery for lights and stuff,if fishing all night then that starting battery will be weak. Another thing if you fish few days in a row the 15 amp will charge you up over night,the smaller amp might be ok if you got the time too wait it out. Anyway hope this help's and have a good one.:D
LittleJohn
02-05-2010, 08:09 AM
Crestliner08

Chargers

You might want to take a look at the "Stay N' Charge", instead of an onboard charger. This system would extremely cost effective for your application (similar to mine) running under $100.00. It connects to your tow vehicle and charges both your batteries while you travel to & from your fishing destinations.

No bulky on-board charger. No heat generated. And no need to plug anything in when you get home. Best of all, your batteries will be getting charged immediately after you pull off the water. Anyone will tell you, the quicker you put them on charge, after running them down, the better.

2010 will be my 5th. season with a series 27 and a starting battery onboard my boat. No problems, no worries. It will be worth your time to look at it.
02-05-2010, 10:51 AM
brushnjigs

+++ with the dual pro chargers. Have used them for years and never a problem. Have heard you can get a refurb from them for under $200 with a one year warranty. I know of one refurb unit that is 4 years old and still running strong.
02-05-2010, 11:46 AM
JABBO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crestliner08

You might want to take a look at the "Stay N' Charge", instead of an onboard charger. This system would extremely cost effective for your application (similar to mine) running under $100.00. It connects to your tow vehicle and charges both your batteries while you travel to & from your fishing destinations.

No bulky on-board charger. No heat generated. And no need to plug anything in when you get home. Best of all, your batteries will be getting charged immediately after you pull off the water. Anyone will tell you, the quicker you put them on charge, after running them down, the better.

2010 will be my 5th. season with a series 27 and a starting battery onboard my boat. No problems, no worries. It will be worth your time to look at it.

What happens when you stay at the lake for 5 straight days...:eek:
02-05-2010, 11:54 AM
TnT

I guess that when you would need to plug in the on board charger!!