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I considering installing an on-board battery charger in my boat and was wondering which to buy. I have a 24v trolling motor so I'll need a 3 bank charger. The cheapest I have seen is the Bass Pro one, but the customer ratings aren't that good. Also 5 amps per bank or 10, which is best?
Dual Pro. Make in America (Nashville). I have 3 of them. No problems.
They do have the best ratings, but they are expensive. This may be one of those, "you get what you pay for instances". Thanks Cane PoleQuote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
I'd go with 10A per bank.
"Best" in this case means "sufficient capacity." If your habit is to fish a long hard day and then go again at dawn the next morning, a 5-amp cooker probably won't get your batteries back up to 100% in so few hours--especially if you're using high capacity batteries. Unless you do back-to-back days, the 5-amp unit will do fine. It will just take longer. I'm using 6-amp chargers and if I hook the boat up the minute I get home, I've never had to wait the next morning for the charge to finish.Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottV
I have been real happy with my Minn Kota so far.
That's what I have. Get 7hrs out of my 80lb terrova with i-pilot. Haven't tried more than 7hrs yet but still had juice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
I've got the Cabela's store brand 3 bank charger. I've just had it a year, but so far I've been very happy with it.
My Guest dual bank charger has been in constant use since 2006 and is still going strong. I also have a BPS XPS (repackaged Pro Mariner?) single bank charger that works well.
Go with 10 to 15 amps per bank. The faster you can get a battery back to full charge, the longer it will last.
Got a 4 bank "Dual" pro for my 36 volt system--4 seasons and still going strong. Prior boat, had another brand (can't recall the name--got it at Bass Pro)--there was a recall and they replaced it with a Dual Pro. Never looked back.
Dual Pro is the best charger out there. If you are wanting to save a few they have refurb units with a one year warranty. 10 amp wet cell and 15 agm batteries
I am on my 5th year with my Dual-Pro onboard charger....no problems.
Ive got a BP 5/5/5 and had no problems in two years. Its pluged in all the time at the lake year round and remember, its puts most of the voltage where you need it. I might have bought a more expensive one but my budget wouldnt let me "WIFE" Good Luck!
Thanks guys for all the feedback.
I would shy away from the Bass Pro XPS chargers...
I just had my 3rd 5/5/5 crap out in two years. The first one I bought would do absolutely nothing. I swapped it for another & it worked ok for about 6 mos then quit. After a huge fuss by me at the Bass Pro, they finally let me swap it out. The new one I got would charge but the power light would not light up, the charge indicator & the go fish light worked so I kept it. As long as I knew it was charging and when it was finished I was ok with it.
A couple of months ago, I noticed that when I would check on the charger the night before a fishing trip, none of the lights would be lit on the charger. I would unplug it then plug it back in several times before finally then charge indicator would come back on. A few minutes later the "go fish" light would come on. It has done this on every trip since then. Then, this past weekend the charger was dead & nothing I could do would get it back on. A little troubleshooting & everything points to ANOTHER bad XPS charger.
I am in the process now of researching chargers & I can guarantee you the XPS brand chargers are NOT on the list of possibilities.
Dual Pro. 2 year warranty. Good guys too.
I've been using a BP XPS 5 5 5 for several years with no problems. My batteries are always fully charged the next morning and ready to go. I think it knows I have a spare sitting on my shelf. LOL
Like my Minn Kota 330 (3 bank, 10amp).
+1
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i..._/IMG_0030.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i.../IMG_0032a.jpg
My bps xps 5/5/5 had been running fine since I installed about a year ago, and just this last week I went to plug back up after a trip and non the lights work on it period, no matter what you do. I can hear it so I think its charging.Will know today after fishing yesterday if it was. :( I dont want to go back to hooking up that portable charger 3 times before a trip.
You will be glad you installed an on-board charger no matter what you end up buying. I keep my unit plugged in all the time and my batteries are always ready to go. Get the best unit you can for your money.
All the battery companies recommend 10/2 or 10/3. Look em up. I've got
a Guest 10/3-3bank, it's 8+ years old, never heard anything bad about them.
However, if you want your batteries to last, charge them when your done
regardless if it's only 1 hour if you can. And if you leave them on maintenance
you'll get leakers and shorten their life. If your down for a while it's better to
recharge them before you go. Batteries lose about 1-2amps per week. I made
them for Exide many years ago, never add water unless the grids are showing.
Then plan on new ones, they're smoked. But I even milk em out till tourny
time.
Technically, a battery charger should not exceed 20 percent charge capacity of the rated ampere hour of the battery.
Exide charges deep cycle batteries @20amp/24hrs in tubs with moving
water. They make many "brands". There's literally no variation between
the brands. The only change I remember was strapping on the grids in the
case. And they used plain ol city water to fill em.