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I need to get another battery for an extra for my boat and need a battery charger. I have a gift card for Lowes. Do they carry any chargers for deep cycle trolling batteries and would they work ok? I know they are not really an auto or marine store but since I have a gift card thought I might try.
Not sure. I got my onboard charger at a Marina last year. Before I got my onboard charger I used to have a trickle charger I got from Walmart. Worked well for many years. Whenever I was not on the water I kept the battery plugged in to the charger. Iy had 2 amp and 10 amp rates.
It needs to be a charger designed for deep cycle batteries.....any charger will charge it but your battery life probably won't be as good.
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Stanley 40-Amp Battery Charger
(6 Reviews)
$99.97
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Stanley 40-Amp Battery Charger
Item #: 328624 Model #: BC4009
"One touch" technology automatically selects charge rate from 0- 40 amps to maximize battery life, charge speed and maintenance.
3- stage high frequency automatic rapid charge
Easy to read LCD screen with clear and concise information.
Here's one at lowes
Seeker, if you're looking for an onboard charger you might look into the pro-mite brand I found at BPS. I have had one on a pest boat and have one on my present boat. This one is a 5-5-5 three bank and charges overnite after the hardest day I can give it. Price was better than the others, and if you watch the sales it gets even better. Surges and lightning will take em out so leaving it plugged up 24/7 is risky IMHO. I charge when I return and a day before I go when I have that option. If I don't charge before I go it doesn't have any less power, just a confidence thing. Good Luck, several good ones to choose from. I don't think Lowes has anything like this, but you want an automatic charger if you go with that style. Shuts down the charge and goes into maintenance mode without damaging the battery. Look up Catfan in the KY board if you have any questions, works with batteries every day.
Dual Pro at BPS is a really good onboard charger also…. I've had one (Dual Pro SE 30A - 3 Bank) for several years and not a speck of trouble...
Thanks for the help. I guess I should have specified. I have an onboard charger. However I have no more room in the compartment for another battery. I just want to take an extra battery along when trolling and I needed an inexpensive but sufficient battery charger. I saw one at Wal-Mart I think it was a Shumaker or something like that it was for auto and marine charging it said. I think it was 15 amp, either 8 or 6, and then a 3 amp maintainer with readout for like 49 dollars. Do you think this would be sufficient?
I used a Schumacher 10 amp automotive charger for years and never had any issues with it or my batteries. Well I had one issue with the charger, it only lasted about 20 years. If it had held up 5 more I would've got my moneys worth, around $80 IIRC.
That ought to serve your needs well seekerQuote:
Originally Posted by crappieseeker
I still have a functioning Schumacher 10A Deep Cycle Solid State Battery Charger (model SE-1012D) ... which is probably over 30yrs old. The one I had before this one was a Schumacher.Quote:
Originally Posted by justinp61
Seeker ... as long as it's specifically designated for deep cycle marine batteries & is "automatic", then I think you'll be good to go.
Lowe's website says they carry Stanley brand battery chargers (online, at least) .... but, if you wanted to go Schumacher, I'd check Wal-Mart and save the Lowe's card for home repair items.
... cp :kewl
I have had Schumacher Solid State Battery Chargers for years and the latest is a 15 amp with settings for AGM and gel batteries along with the usual standard battery. Most deep cycle batteries are standard liquid acid batteries, the same as a car battery and require the same type of automatic charger. AGM batteries are different and require a different charge cycle which an automatic charger adapts to when the AGM setting is pushed.
The nice thing about the Schumacher Solid State Battery Charger is that you can see how much juice is left percentage-wise, though 100 percent without the green full-charge light on is not finished charging. The support at Schumacher is wonderful and I learned a lot about battery charging from them.
If you have a regular fluid acid type battery, a float trickle charger is okay as long as you use it after the battery is 100 % charged. It isn't recommended for AGM or Gel type batteries which hold their charges much longer without self discharge anyways. The Schumacher should be fine as a trickle charger and regulates amps as needed.
thanks everyone, it did say auto and marine so I think I will go with it.
You can prolly get a Minn Kota charger at Walmart in the fishing dept.
A trickle charger and a float charger are substantially different. Some AGM batteries need a specialized "float" to reach full charge. Float is good, as it is a controlled mode. Trickle isn't good as it pumps current with no monitoring of battery condition.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spoonminnow
Just got home Seeker or I would have answered earlier. My regular battery charger is a Schumacher and isn't as big as the one you stated. Good service out of the first one I had to replace due to being left out in the rain during use, just forgot it. This one is and exact replacement and does fine for the neighbor and I who keep the mowers and his little used beemer going. Money well spent.