Battery Charges

[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"...



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...

[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...