Battery Charges

[parishht]

:-/

A buddy of mine told me about a battery charger available through Cabela's.
I was thinking of gonig there, since it is only 15 minutes from my house, and picking one up.
It looks like you connect it to your batteries and then plug it in while not using the V20 and it maintains the battery charge.

Here is a link to the Cabela's site:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=catfeatboat&id=0019015015766a&navC ount=2&podId=0019015&parentId=&navAction=push&cata logCode=IG&rid=&parentType=&indexId=cat600056&hasJ S=true

Does anyone have any thoughts on these?????

[macojoe]

Anything that goes near the water sucks IMO, I have this:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=AUTO&pid=02 871230000&subcat=Battery+Chargers%2C+Boosters+%26+ Cables

and just hook up when I get home if I feel the need, But I have gone all season never charging anything most of the time.

What I have and love is a battery Jump starter, I can run eletric reel all day, or a bait tank most of the day.

I never leave home with out it!

[Perfidiajoe]

Not meaning to sound presumptious, but why do you want one of those? Do you have a charging problem? Or is your boat left unattended in the water for long periods of time? Are your batteries good, will they hold a charge? I only ask because if all is good, you might want to look into getting a solar charger so you don't have to plug it in anywhere. Sorry if I'm putting my 2 cents in where I don't belong, just a thought I had while reading your post. Good Luck, Joe

[Franco]

I'm looking into a 3 bank charger for my boat/ I have 3 12V batteries. 1 for starting and electronics and 2 in serier for my 24V trolling motor. I have 3 battery boxes in my console and it's a apin in the butt to open them to hook up the charger.

[rb437]

I have a small trickle charger that I leave connected to maintain a charge on the batteries while the boat is stored over the winter. This keeps the batteries well charged and I expect to be able to start the engine here soon without a problem. I connected the charger via the battery switch so I could connect to both batteries at once. In the summer I use the boat and that's all the charging the batteries ever need.

[reelapeelin]

Parishht, the idea of havin' an onboard charger is GREAT!!...it's permanently hooked up to batts and in the boat...just plug-in and FORGET about it til time to GO!!...The brand you get is a tougher choice...I've never had a Cabela's charger, so can't talk about 'em. Guest Chargers have always been my choice...installed 1st one in 1999 and FLAWLESS...put additional one in 2 yrs ago; perfect so far...whatever mfgr you go with, if you gotta use a drop-cord, MAKE SURE it's big enough to handle the load...don't scrimp on the cord ;)

One other thing; most OB Chargers will not allow use of electronics, bait tanks, etc while in charge mode...if you require that, be sure you get the right one... :)

[parishht]

:)

Sounds like the consensus for my situation is to install one.

My situation is that the boat is out of the water more than in, I just can't justify the cost of a slip at the trailer park.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

[steplift20]

anything from cabalas sucks
ill never by anythung from them again bad experiance

[parishht]

Feed back is what I am looking for, I may not buy the Cabelas brand, but I will most likely put a charger into my boat.

[willy]

I just put the Guest brand on mine. So far this winter keeping the batteries up and charged fine. First time I ever left batteries hooked up all winter. It also supposed to make your batteries last longer.
I probably won't need to charge them much during the season but if you go many days between use as I often am forced to do it's the best way to maintain and be ready to go at a moments notice.
And I bought it at Cabelas, I love em. Get a woody every time I go there ;)

[reelapeelin]

Willy, I'm convinced these OB chargers DO extend the sevice life of batteries simply 'cause they keep 'em topped up...I put a pair of group 31 AC Delco Voyagers on a 20 amp (10 amps ea batt) 6 yrs ago and they're still goin' strong...longest lasting I ever had... ;D...

[Geekie1]

Hi Parishht,

Before putting my boat up for the winter, I disconnect all of the electrical cables to my two batteries. I then charge up the batteries fully with a conventional 12 V battery charger. After the batteries are fully charged, I connect a Guest Battery Pal to keep the batteries fully charged through the winter. Battery Pals ($25?) are a low current device that will keep the batteries at a full charge without overcharging. Battery Pals do need to be plugged into 110V AC in order to work.

I don't know where you live, however if it gets cold enough to freeze you need to keep the batteries charged or they definitely will!! Conventional lead/acid batteries electrolyte will go from acid to water if left to discharge and water will then freeze and destroy the battery plates.

If you keep your boat in salt water, and you decide to install an onboard built-in charger, make sure it is installed correctly. If installed incorrectly, and not grounded properly you could set up an electrolysis situation which could destroy your outdrive or lower unit in just a few weeks.

I carry a portable emergency battery in case of starting problems on the water.

Ed G.

[parishht]

::)

Lot's of good info to go through.
Thanks all.

[msbhammer]

Thinking of doing the same thing as well. How about a few pics of where to mount those chargers at.

[reelapeelin]

Here's the Guest 2611 for the cranking and accesory batterys...gussied it up w/2 rod-holders 5 amps per "leg"...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/reelapeelin/Image002.jpg

It goes to the 2 batts in the white boxes...2 group 31s for trollin' motor under grey hatch-lid just forward of dog; they have a Guest 2620 (10 amps per "leg") hooked up to them that's mounted to the underside of the lid...I leave the lid open when chargin' so no gas build-up... ;) ;D...

[reelapeelin]

OK, here is 2620 mounted to underside of hatch-lid...2 trollin' motor batts in hatch under other end of lid...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/reelapeelin/floor.jpg

[macojoe]

I would think all the water that gets it would rot in no time??

[msbhammer]

Great Pics. Sweeeeeet looking Honda. I must be the only poor guy on this site. : )

[willy]

Can't get to mine yet for pic, but I installed mine high up on the transom wall interior, I have a full transom and a battery on each side, won't get wet there and later if I install a outer plug accessory instead of sticking the extension cord thru one of the hatches like I do now there is plenty of room on that transom wall. It is sort of straight up from where the bildge pump is located high just under the gunwhale or maybe it is called the transom cap there

[reelapeelin]

MJ, you're touchin' on why I'm SOLD on these Guest OB chargers...it's a heavy plastic case so there's nothing to rot...if metal, even alum. like some chargers, it'd be SHOT by now...this one's been chargin' right along since 1999...yeah, I'm happy... ;D...