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Just installed new Tm and onboard charger on my Lund Alaskan. Its a minn kota 210d working like its supposed to. Question is, do I need to leave plugged in all the time so that it charges when batteries call for it? Or should I plug in day before I know im heading out? What do yall do?
I leave mine plugged in all the time on my Z9.
I leave mine plugged in.
Leave mine plugged in unless I am fishing
I plug mine in when I park the boat at home.....leave it plugged in untill I hook up trailer again
X2 on thatQuote:
Originally Posted by "G"
Sounds good guys thanks
I never leave mine plugged in. I have had 3 all Pro Series. I was told by a rep to charge your battery's until charges and periodically do it again for a few hours to insure they stay hot. Never had a problem ever. I can say if the temps fall below or close to the 0 range I will plug them up and leave them till the temps recover.......Ranger
I'm with Ranger. I've used on board chargers since 1986. I used to leave them plugged in but no longer do. Since I quit several years ago my batteries have averaged lasting 6-7 years instead of 4-5. I charge as soon as possible after using and then hit it again just before the next trip. Usually only takes a few minutes to top them off. Since I changed I have to add water much less frequently than before. Since my boat is garaged I don't worry about cold weather. If you do leave the charger on keep a close eye on them in hot weather.
I leave mine plugged in all the time too. I thought about not leaving it plugged in all the time but I'd forget to plug back in before going out. Also I hope you installed the charger to wear it's not touching the aluminum hull directly???
No put some plastic washers between it.
Are the mounting screws touching the aluminum hull? I ask because the screws are in contact with the charger and plastic washers won't do anything to prevent galvanic corrosion. You'll have to isolate the charger as well as screws from the aluminum.
You can probably answer a question that I've had for a long time. My first charger was a 3-bank Pro Series and it would get too hot to touch and would interfere with other devices that were on the same circuit, like radio or television. I spoke to the dealer and to the factory who both stated this was normal operation. I trashed it anyway and bought another brand of charger.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger09
So did I waste my money? Do your chargers behave this way?
It was not a high amp charger, 3/15 I believe.
DrNip they are. Thought I was just spinning my wheels when I was screwing them in, I should have thought into it some more. Will remount with two washers and a bushing. Thanks Nip
You have a tv on your fishing rig? You can fish and watch NASCAR too?Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott S
Just installed a new MinnKota 315 after the one that was installed when the boat was new in 07. My opinion is that chargers get better as do all electronic products. Newer technology and more updated techniques improve most everything. The instructions are specific, if you bother to read them. The new MK instructions confirm that it is better to leave it plugged in all the time. There are basically three modes of charging it goes through depending on how long it is connected. Makes perfect sense to me and mine will
remain on as long as I own it.
Here is how I did mine. Stainless steel screws and clips were purchased at Home Depot. Why did I use a square clip? So that they wouldn't spin in place when tightening screw. I simply drilled a hole the width of the clip and then took a dremel and squared out the corners. Was very easy to do and the screws and charger are isolated. The 1st few pics are just a test run on scrap aluminum.Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgivor13
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Yup and x2 on that there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Okie Bob
I leave mine plugged in all the time too, even when I go fishing, its plugged in. I have over 6000 feet of extension cords, but hey...... you can't be too careful.
I plug mine in as soon as I put it in the garage and leave them plugged in. I think in todays technology they are mostly designed that way. I dont want to have to remember to plug mine in the day before I go fishing. I have buddies who fish a lot more than I do and some who fish for a living and they leave theirs plugged in all the time.
Odie
My understanding is that some of the new ones are suppose to stay plugged in. They are even programed to do a conditioning/maintenance once a month. If that's not correct, I'd like to know. I'm looking at the Minn Kota as well.
I have the Minn Kota Precision charger. It has various stages of charging and maintenance.
- MULTI-STAGE CHARGING: Minn Kota’s Multi-Stage Charging delivers a fast, precise charge profile by automatically controlling current and voltage without overcharging your batteries. Bulk Mode During this stage, the charger delivers full current until the battery reaches ~75% charge.
- Absorption Mode: The charging current tapers down while the battery voltage is held constant (see Table 1 for voltages).
- Mild Equalize Mode (Flooded Lead-Acid Only): The voltage is automatically increased with each charging cycle for a maximum of 1.5 hours to desulfate and mix fluids in each battery.
- Equalize Mode (Flooded Lead-Acid Only): The equalize mode must be manually selected for each bank that is to be equalized. The voltage is increased for a maximum of 4 hours to desulfate and mix fluids in each battery.
- Maintenance Mode: When the battery reaches full charge, the charger voltage is reduced (see Table 1 for voltages). A flashing 100% GREEN LED is lit for each bank to indicate the battery is in Maintenance Mode and ready to use. After 24 hours, the charger automatically turns off and a steady 100% GREEN LED is lit for each bank to indicate the battery is in long term Maintenance Mode and ready to use. The charger will automatically turn on when the battery voltage drops below 12.6V.
Am I the only one who has forgot that it was plugged in and drove off?
Lol I haven't done that yet. Probably only because I have to push my boat out of the garage to hookup due to the angle of my driveway.
Yup, I'm pretty sure you're the only one! lolQuote:
Originally Posted by crapAlicous
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Originally Posted by Woodworker42
Guess I'm the dumbest one.
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Originally Posted by DrNip
I actually remembered before it did too much damage but it boogered up my extension chord good.
I did that 1 time with our travel trailer (just shortly after we got it). I had it plugged in to the garage and closed the garage door. As I was pulling out of the driveway I saw the power cord on the ground behind the travel trailer and I thought, "hmm, I sure don't remember that cord being that long". That's when I realized the plug had come out of the wall, but it got ripped off when it got to the overhead garage door. So, after repairing the power cord, it was then 12" shorter than originally.
We all have to screw a few things up to learn from our mistakes.
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Originally Posted by OK Toon
Toon, on the bright side, the copper wires inside the extension chord works pretty well for sinking brush.
Looked up mfg. info today . Says my Three Bank Pro- Sportsman Edition is best left plugged in.
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Originally Posted by crapAlicous
Ahhhhh....guilty!
So just how waterproof are these new chargers mine says rated IP67. It says it needs open space to cool so can it be subjected to rain and snow or does it need to be covered?
Should be good immersed up to 3' of water.
That's what the rating says but do you guys mount 'em out in the open or do you try to shield 'em from mother nature?
Mine is under my casting deck.
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