Recommendations for battery chargers?

[flaudia402]

Batterytender.com? Any other recommendations? What kind of battery charger should I get if I'm tending two or three batteries?

[ffmedic74]

RE: Recommendations for battery chargers?

I would sugest battery tender. Also if you need a real battery charger, I just picked up a Schumacher sc8000. Its a great all purpose battery charger.

http://store.schumachermart.com/sc-8000a.html

[tazz3069]

RE: Recommendations for battery chargers?

I have a dual battery tender. It takes care of both batteries in the boat.

[EarmarkMarine]

RE: Recommendations for battery chargers?

A 'tender' is okay as a maintenance device for a starting battery which is not intended to be deep cycled.

For deep cycle batteries I would recommend a multi-bank charger from Dual Pro, ProMariner or Progressive Dynamics, depending on the size and number of your batteries. Each stereo battery should receive, at bare minimum, a charging capacity of 10 percent of its amp/hour rating. I would feel more comfortable with 10 amps minimum per each Group 24 or 15 amps minimum per each Group 31. Your starting battery does not need to be entered into the overall capacity equation.

Just follow the example set by fishermen. They have understood how to get the most out of batteries forever. By comparison, we're all newcomers.

David
Earmark Marine

[97Brabus]

For deep cycle batteries I would recommend a multi-bank charger from Dual Pro, ProMariner or Progressive Dynamics, depending on the size and number of your batteries. Each stereo battery should receive, at bare minimum, a charging capacity of 10 percent of its amp/hour rating. I would feel more comfortable with 10 amps minimum per each Group 24 or 15 amps minimum per each Group 31. Your starting battery does not need to be entered into the overall capacity equation.Earmark Marine

I've got a Die Hard PM-2 AGM single battery setup in my Sport Nautique. It's a Group 34M claiming 68 Amp/Hours. I'm looking at purchasing the CTEK 7002 charger but with it's 7A charge rate it would fall in the "bare minimum" category you noted above. It is, however, a highly preferred charger. Can you explain the differences I would see versus finding another charger with a 10-15 AMP rating?

Thanks!

[EarmarkMarine]

Ctek makes an outstanding product that is more of a maintenance charger than that used by those with big stereos and fishermen who really deep cycle their batteries. But, for a single battery of the capacity stated the 7 amp Ctek is just fine. Go for it without reservation. If you do add a second battery in the future then you can add the Ctek 3 amp model for the starting battery so that you will have dedicated and isolated banks. A 3 amp unit will be fine since the starting battery is never deep cycled.

David
Earmark Marine

[Paublo]

I just installed a Xantrex Truecharge2 20 amp charger. There are a number of good chargers out there. I did as much research as possible (there were some good posts here on PN) and bought mine for $210 and it included a remote readout panel and battery temperature sensor. You input the battery type so it gets charged and maintained properly. It has seperate outputs for 3 batteries, each one is individually programmed and maintained so you can have different battery types. All of the wiring and materials cost much more than I expected, but I ended up with a first class system and install. When I put the boat away I lift the port bow cushion, plug the charger power cord into a fixed extension cord, and then cover the boat. It is nice to know that everything will always be charged, ready and should last longer.

[ski4evr]

I have had a fish and ski boat for 14 years. I have a dual pro automatic charger hooked up to the trolling batteries. The charger maintains around 13.5 volts on the batteries whatever the current demand is. I typically get 4-5 years out of a set of batteries. I maintain the water levels monthly with distilled water and keep the batteries hot. Others I know replace theirs annually because of lack of maintenance. A battery will last alot longer if not stored with low voltage. I use a standard 1 amp trickle charger on a timer 1hr every 12 hrs and get the same life out of my cranking batteries. Now use the same setup in the "fun" boat.