Battery Chargers?

[fishinwrench]

You can use jumper cables in a boat and jump off of your trolling motor batteries in a pinch.

Hate to keep repeating this, but jumper cables really shouldn't be used with outboards. Or in any boats bilge area.

Move a battery over if you have to but don't use jumper cables.

(I just typed an essay on loosing ground connections, in another recent thread)

[tapout]

I have xps three bank charger, a cheap one as far as chargers, and instructions said leave it on all the time (in fact it explained to gain full life of batteries it needs to be left on), so I do. Been two years, so far so good.

[Ron Burgundy]

Hate to keep repeating this, but jumper cables really shouldn't be used with outboards. Or in any boats bilge area.

Move a battery over if you have to but don't use jumper cables.

(I just typed an essay on loosing ground connections, in another recent thread)

Where at wrench I would like to read it.

[fishinwrench]

It was in the Optima battery thread.

[David Unnerstall]

I believe the current chargers, due to the advanced electronics, are designed to be plugged in all of the time. They go into maintenance mode that the manufacture's claim extends the life of a battery.

[Blazerman]

I bought a battery tender at walmart and have used it for 2 years now. i too have my boat in the garage and every time i bring it back i hook up the charger and leave it on. i also leave it on all winter. Since i have started using it, i have never had a problem with the battery being low and it shuts off automatically once the battery is charged.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/15779498?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227010284036&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40838790032&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78652093952&veh=sem

[Sam]

Years ago I turned the key to start my pickup truck and the battery BLEW UP. I always thought those battery safety warnings about a possible explosion were just legal silliness, but no. I've been told since then that hydrogen gas had built up in the battery, there was a short in a bad cell that caused a spark, and BANG. So I learned it can happen.

I also keep my boat in an attached garage, and I never use a charger except when I'm there and awake to keep checking on it. The fact that those batteries are in the bilge right next to a plastic tank full of gasoline really has my attention. I disconnect both ground wires before leaving the lake, and they don't get connected again until we're at a ramp ready to launch - so I really like the idea of a disconnect switch. I need one of those!

[bobby b.]

I have a 3 bank battery charger. The charger instructions are to leave it plugged in 24/7 as the charger is suppose to charge only the batteries that need it and then switch to a trickle charge. My boat is in a slip year around and I too am concerned with the fire hazard. I have installed a 7 day timer which turns the charger on automatically a couple times per week for 2 hours as a compromise regarding the manufacturers instructions.

[merc1997 Bo]

i have used a dual pro charger for years. i plug it in when i get in, and it stays plugged in until i go the next time. it absolutely shuts down when the batteries are fully charged. it also kicks on and checks the batteries periodically and will kick back on if needed.

if you do not trust your fully automatic charger, then you just need to get a manual and go disconnect it when you think your batteries are done. these newer auto chargers will extend your battery life. i read about chris lanes boat fire, but was the problem actually with the charger, or was it because of bad battery connections that made the charger overheat??? i will go with the latter. all battery connections need routine cleaning to maintain proper contact. any corrosion will travel up wiring causing resistance which in turn causes over heating and voltage loss.

boats need a maintaining schedule just as your car does. i bet fishwrench could write a book about how many repairs could be avoided with proper scheduled maintaining. how many change the lower unit lube at least once a year, and if you fish a lot, it should be done twice, especially with the new powder poured gears. how many change the water pump impellar at least every two years?? when is the last time you cleaned all of your battery connections???

how often do you clean and lube your reels?? enough said.

bo

[Hazbin]

i have used a dual pro charger for years. i plug it in when i get in, and it stays plugged in until i go the next time. it absolutely shuts down when the batteries are fully charged. it also kicks on and checks the batteries periodically and will kick back on if needed.

if you do not trust your fully automatic charger, then you just need to get a manual and go disconnect it when you think your batteries are done. these newer auto chargers will extend your battery life. i read about chris lanes boat fire, but was the problem actually with the charger, or was it because of bad battery connections that made the charger overheat??? i will go with the latter. all battery connections need routine cleaning to maintain proper contact. any corrosion will travel up wiring causing resistance which in turn causes over heating and voltage loss.

boats need a maintaining schedule just as your car does. i bet fishwrench could write a book about how many repairs could be avoided with proper scheduled maintaining. how many change the lower unit lube at least once a year, and if you fish a lot, it should be done twice, especially with the new powder poured gears. how many change the water pump impellar at least every two years?? when is the last time you cleaned all of your battery connections???

how often do you clean and lube your reels?? enough said.

bo

Bo, I 've found if you leave the on board charger plugged In over a period of time it will evaporate the water if not maintenance free batteries. If you unplug the charger it will put a drain on the batteries, as the maintenance feature checks the batteries every thirty seconds or so and over a long period will drain the batteries unless you disconnect the charger from the batteries.