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I'm fixing to have to buy a new 3 bank charger for my boat and was wonder what some of you have. The one I"m replacing I can't seem to find it on my 2004 ranger so that's why I'm asking.
Type of charger, how long have you been running it....
Any help would be appreciated.
Stumpjumper aka... eddy
I have a 2 bank charger that came stock from BPS on my Tracker., It is the BPS XPS model. It is a 2 bank 10 amp size. Been plugged in for 15 years now and has not missed a beat. (Having said that, I'll probably walk outside today and find it fried.)
I've heard good things about the MinnKota charger also.
I have a Minkota 2 bank on the Stratos. It was on the boat when I got it so I don't know the age of it but it works great.
I have a MinnKota three bank model 330D......best one I have had so far. Leave it plugged in 24/7
pro-mite mini-mite 3 bank it's 5-5-3 and for the time I fish it has always kept my batteries up.
Thanks folks for the input... I've been surfing for a couple weeks now and I'm internet drunk on reading all the reviews for the different types out there (good and bad and the same units), so that's why I ask here.
Bass Pro XPS 3 bank made by ProMariner. It's been plugged in for five years with no issues.
Multi-bank chargers that compile the TM batteries in with the electronics battery(s) could lead to very aggravating interference circumstances ...
I have a dedicated onboard charger for the TM batteries ...and a separate onboard charger for starting/electronics ...
The cost factor is not that much difference ...
Rickie
You owe it to yourself to look up the "StayNCharge" set up vs. a bank charger. I had one on my Crestliner/Yamaha rig for over 5 seasons. Kept my two batteries charged all the time without having hook anything up to it. Basically, it charges your batteries as you drive, using your trucks charging system.
Simple to hook up and it keeps them charged that way all the time while towing. I never ran out of juice and never paid much attention to my batteries. Sold the still original batteries, with the boat/motor and trailer a couple years back. Last year when I talked to the new owner, he said he's still using the same batteries, so I guess it works pretty well. Great people to do business with too. And it saves a lot of weight in your boat, as well as reduced heat generation. For me, it worked out well.
I've installed ~20 of the Minn Kota 3 bank 330D (10 amps per bank) makes for reliable overnight charging) a few failed but minn Kota has always stepped up and replaced immediately. There are some inexpensive ones avaialble but many are not much more than trickle chargers. If you are only gonna fish 1x week then save the money and get the lower power untis. But if like most maybe fish today and tomorrow, ho for the power so you have fully charged batteries after an overnight charge.
Hello: I have a Dual Pro 3-bank charger. I have had it on my last 3 boats. Don't know how old it is. Never had any problem with it. It is also repairable. A lot of the units out there are throwaways and can't be fixed. Good Luck this season. O - R
OOPS too late to edit but my charger is Pro-Mariner mini-mite not Pro-miteQuote:
Originally Posted by wannabe fisherman
I use a 4 bank Noco Genius charger. It has been a great charger.
Dual Pro 3 bank charger, they've been good people to work with. I believe they are in the Nashville area. Good info on their website.
2 bank Guest charger on my boat. Leave it plugged in 24/7
Minn kota 2 bank and Schumacher trickle charger for start battery. Leave them on 24/7.
Dual Pro for me. Leave it plugged in all the time.
I have both Dual Pro and Guest. No problems with either.
Cabelas
Dual Pro. Made in Nashville. I have a 3 bank and a 2 bank. No problems. You can also buy the dual pros refurbished and they are repairable as mentioned.
Gotta check Out Noco genius on board chargers,,,, Great prices and awesome performance,,I believe you can find them on both eBay and Amazon... 3 bank runs around $266 and that's 10 amp per bank
I have the new ProMariner ProSport20 Plus.
ProMariner makes most of the chargers for Cabelas and Bass Pro. If you buy from Brian at BBG, the ProMariner is actually cheaper or the same price as the rebranded models except it has a few extras.
I've installed several in the last couple of years (dual pro, Cabelas etc...) this one seems to be the best. MAKE SURE you get one that will auto sense what batteries you have. IE, if you have AGM or liquid cell batteries. I have all AGM batteries on my boat (3), but this will charge both at the same time. It will run a 1 minute self check to ensure everything is good, charge, condition and auto maintain.
Another thing to look for is if the charger is a solid state 5/5/5 (5 amps per bank) or if it is auto sensing. Meaning, if you have a charged battery in your bank, will the charger send the un-needed amps to another bank. Mine will. This is important as most of the time, your main battery (charged from the motor) needs very little charging. It sends those unused amps to my TM batteries and charges quicker.
Just food for thought. Hope that helps
I also have a Pro Mariner. Pro sport 12. I bought it because the price was right and the technology. I have only used it about 4 times this year so far but I am very happy with the performance. This is a 2 bank and the way it shift's the voltage to the needed battery really speeds the charging up for those back to back fishing days. you know the kind of days we all wish we had more of.Quote:
Originally Posted by wicklundrh
It is Ironic that this thread came up. Let me share a story that my dad's buddy relayed over the weekend.
He and his wife were leaving to go grocery shopping. On their way out the door, they noticed a foul sulfur type smell coming from the garage. They quickly looked for the cause, left the door open to the garage to let things air out, and then continued with their errands. Upon returning, they noticed the smell to be even stronger. Searching for the cause, he went to the back of his boat. He noticed the smell to be stronger. He opened his battery bay and found the root cause. His charger (an older style) had drained the wet cells of his batteries. He was more than likely within a couple of hours of a pretty serious meltdown.
I suspect that his older charger did not go in to a conditioning mode, or a maintenance mode like the newer ones. I am also pretty sure that it was pushing the maximum amps to each battery that it could push. Many people are hesitant to switch from the wet cell batteries to the newer AGM batteries. I've swapped every battery I have, in multiple boats, to AGM. In my opinion, they last longer, do not discharge, you cannot over charge, you can place them on their side, and you wouldn't have a potential meltdown issue like mentioned above.
Make sure that your charger will charge AGM. If you want a duel system (wet cell starting battery, and AGM trolling motor batteries) make sure you have an auto sensing charger. There are many models to choose from. Some will charge both (AGM and wet cell) at the same time, others will only charge one or the other. Some are auto sensing (most of the ones that will charge both at once) while some you must select a switch as to which style battery you have (cannot use a dual system).
Just a few things to keep in mind.