OnBoard Battery Charger/Maintainer

[TayTay]

I need to get some sort of charger/maintainer for my batteries on my boat. I have two optima blue top deep cycle batteries. I orginally was just going to get them for the garage but after doing some thinking I figure I might as well look into onboard. I am wondering what recommendations there are out there about this kind of setup. Ideally I would just want to be able to plug a cord into the wall in my garage or in a slip at a marina. Any info would be appreciated!

[tg0824SSVGG]

TayTay,

Did you check this thread out?

http://supraboats.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=5273&highlight=battery

I have a guest on-board charger - from batterystuff.com

Don't know if the Optima's need something special or not.

[TayTay]

TayTay,

Did you check this thread out?

http://supraboats.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=5273&highlight=battery

I have a guest on-board charger - from batterystuff.com

Don't know if the Optima's need something special or not.

Ok, so I checked that out, thanks. What kind of batteries do you have? It says you can use it with AGM, which Optimas are, and it is a plug in and forget system so I am thinking that it would work for what I am looking for.

[tg0824SSVGG]

My batteries are whatever Supra put in at the factory. I can't get to them right now, but when I take the boat out in spring, they are nice and full and ready to go (at least they were last year).

[ssmith]

I use the junior Battery Tender and it seems to work very well ...$30.

[tg0824SSVGG]

Scottie,

I use that on my motorcycle, but my boat has 2 batteries ... don't you?

[jonyb]

The battery tender jr is a trickle charger. The output is .750A/hr. With the way we use our boats and the low output of the alternator, I'd recommend something that's at least 6A/hr. That way you can re-charge overnight. Think of it like this, the alternator barely puts out enough to run the boat, so you're batteries are constantly discharging.

I used Stinger On-board chargers in my boat with Stinger batteries, but that's in the other thread.

[tg0824SSVGG]

I agree John. The battery charger I have from batterystuff.com
(shown in this link: http://supraboats.com/bbs/showpost.php?p=13655&postcount=17 )
is a 6 Amp, dual bank charger.

They make the same one for a single or triple bank setup.

Todd

[ssmith]

Unfortunately I only have a single battery. I hope to upgrade to a dual setup soon. I worried my charger was under powered but I've never had problems with a dead battery. The "GUEST" charger appears to be a 6A/hr charger for dual batteries but when used for 2 batts it only supplies 3A/hr to each battery. So if you need 6A/hr like Jony indicates are you getting enough with the "GUEST"? Unless, you have a charger for each batt and can dedicate the full 6A/hr to a single batt? Nice setups to both you guys. I'm kinda clueless about this kinda stuff but looks like I may need a new charger...dang I have to buy something else for the boat ;).

[tg0824SSVGG]

Normally, I only use the charger when it's in "storage" ... like now.

I am not drawing the kind of power that John is --- so I don't need it all the time.

I found a LOT of choices at batterystuff.com, not just the one I purchased,
I have also heard that if you call them - they are quite knowledgable about
the products they carry.

[EarmarkMarine]

TayTay,

A 'tender' or 'maintenance' charger is fine for an ATV/UTV, motorcycle or seldomly driven vehicle. In all those applications your using starting versus deep cycle batteries and you're putting the vehicle into storage with a fully charged battery.

But, our boating and audio applications tend to mirror those of fishermen using several deep cycles and a trolling motor. So, follow the example they set as this group has been more on top of battery and charging technology for a very long time now.

Its not just about the recharging time, its much more about the recharging method. You need a higher current dual-bank multi-stage smart charger to chemically excite depleted deep cycle batteries in order to desulphate and properly condition. As a result you'll get longer play time at rest and your batteries may last a season or two longer.

Rule of thumb is your charger's total current capacity should be at minimum equal to your batteries' total amp/hours. I recommend a 12 to 20 amp dual bank charger with a 'distribute on demand' feature.

Here's some links.

http://www.earmarkcaraudio.com/Xcart/product.php?productid=16870&cat=261&page=1

http://www.earmarkcaraudio.com/Xcart/product.php?productid=16871&cat=261&page=1

David
Earmark Marine