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several years ago I was told not to put one on my boat due to damage possible to metal boats . Anybody experience any reason not to have one ? Getting tired of putting batteries in/out of boat . I carry three batteries a cranking (running lights, depth finders), trolling, and a spare . does it matter which one since all my batteries are different sizes ? which one do you recommend .
They will not hurt a aluminum boat if you insulate or isolate them by mountiing to a piece of plywood or starboard......I bought a thick white cutting board at walmart and cut it out and mounted mine where there was no contact between the aluminum and the charger. This was recommended to me by MinKota. I am useing a MinKota three bank charger.
I have used DualPro for many years. Had one on an old BassTracker directly mounted to the metal with no issues. Google for best prices. This is the best price I have seen. http://www.cputopia.com/rs3-dualpro-...-series-3.html
They are a sealed unit. Go with dual pro and you will need a 3 bank charger. 10 to 15 amp per bank,
Might check with dual pro for any re-conditioned chargers. Some may have had a scratch and needed repainted. Cheaper this way and with a warranty also. Get the pro series.
Minkota, DualPro both really good chargers. I have a proMariner I'm satisfied with. ProMariner also builds the chargers for BassPro. I have carpet in my battery compartment. I cut a piece of plywood bigger than the charger, used 4 1/2 inch rubber spacers and mounted to the board, then mounted the board to the boat. This did 2 things, isolated from vibration and let air circulate under the charger for cooling which I think is most important.
The cutting board G used would work great I just happened to have a piece of 3/4 marine ply in the shop so that's what I used.
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My Dual Pro has been mounted direct to an Aluminum boat for 10 years, we leave it on any time the boat is in the shed. No issues so far.
I have a 2 bank in my aluminum boat. no problems. Its on plywwod
I'd think the main concern with mounting a charger directly to a metal boat would be electrolysis if you left the boat in the water while charging.
electrolysis will take place even if the boat is out of the water anytime a ground is made to the aluminum....all grounds must be made to battery only. Some onboard chargers are insulated some are not. Tech at Minnkota recommends mounting charger to something non conductive.
I would think electrolysis would be the least of your worries without the charger case grounded to the boat.
Hello: I have used onboard chargers on aluminum boats for over 25 years. Never had any problems with them mounting them right to the aluminum. The boat I have now is a 2002Alumacraft. Its always had an onboard charger on it. I don't use a common ground like autos use where the ground wire is wired to the frame. I wire the charger directly to the batteries. I now have a three bank dual pro that I bought used. Before I bought it I checked with them to make sure the unit was repairable. No issues, no problems, going on the 7th season with it now. I would recommend dual pro chargers. Good Luck O - R