Deep Cycle

[Stragler]

Question about charging deep cycles. I had read where you should plug the charger in as soon as you get back from fishing, but should you unplug when charged or leave plugged in all the time. Charger is built in and just trickles when batteries are up, and what about for extended periods of time say two to three months at a time. Thanks for the help.

[Trav]

A trickle charger should automatically dump excess juice once battery is at full charge. At least that is what I have been led to believe.

I personally rotate batteries as they are completly drained. I was told at one time that your battery will last longer if you only charge them when they are mostly drained of power. So I will use one until it is below half power and switch them out to charge. And I never leave them on the charger for much longer than it needs to be.

Thats just me though. Keep in mind, I only use mine for a trolling motor and a graph. Not to start a motor with.

I have heard several other practices and I am sure the whole aspect is different if you have an onboard charger as well.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I had forgot about this until I was talking to Buzz the other day, but at one time I did a lot of pond and strip pit hopping. To keep a full charge on my battery I ran two wires from my truck battery along the frame to the back of my Bronco II and then behind the bumper and into the back. I added clips to the end that I would clip right on to the battery for charging.

It worked out great and I never had to worry about over charging. You could adapt this to whatever situation you may have. I need to do that again, now that I am starting to do more floating and pond hopping again.

[Dutch]

Your deep cycle batteries should be recharged within 24 hours after use. I had the same thought about extended plug in time. I contacted my on board charger mfg. and was told to not leave it on for long periods of time. So I unplug mine when all the lights are green and top off the night before each trip.