Marine battery charger

[Cap'n larry]

Hey guys I was trying to get some info on onboard battery chargers. Any suggestions as to a good or bad one? Currently the way my boat is set up I have two mt29 interstates under the console for trolling and bait tank. One cranking battery at the back of the boat. I just use a regular automatic battery charger right now and leave it on pretty much all the time. Just wondering if anyone on the board has had any experience with the onboard chargers. Guess I would need a 3 bank and they are expensive. Only reason I'm upgrading is my other charger got wet from the rain and let the magic smoke out. Lol

[johnr]

I've used minnkota, cabelas advanced angler and pro mariner chargers. I liked the minnkota the best, it charged the fastest, and seemed to keep my batteries alive longer (long term).

The minnkota also dropped a bank, and minnkota sent me a new charger at no cost, overnight.

All of mine have been 3 bank, 15-45 amp total output.

[mwardncsu]

2nd on MinnKota. Have been running a 4-bank, 10A charger on mine with great results - it stays on all the time. About to swap some stuff around so the 4-bank is going (already spoken for), and will be replaced buy two different chargers - also will be MinnKota.

The 4-bank I have is what they now call the "Digital" - multi-stage charger but larger and heavier. I've decided to replace it with the Precision chargers, which are a bit more expensive but are also lighter and more compact - had to go that route for my installation needs.

I've not had need for service, but MinnKota support has always been top-notch when I've called with various pre & post-sales questions - they know their stuff when talking with them. Also, Ben McCall at SML Marine Electronics locally is a MinnKota Service Center, though I guess there are not really that many serviceable parts in the chargers....

I've had mixed responses on 10 vs 15 bank chargers.... obviously a 15 will recover faster, but MinnKota claims on a typical trolling motor battery that a 10A bank will recover in 4-6 hours vs the 15A recovering in 3-5. Either way, I hope to get close to 6 hours of dock time after a full day of fishing before going back out, so I don't feel the slightly faster time is worth the added expense, slightly added weight and a bit larger package - and you'll read mixed if a 15A can "cook" your batteries over time -shortening their life (not sure that they will, but even MinnKota support seemed to steer me to the 10A for a Grp 27 or 29 deep cycle).

[KB]

I use minnkota and dual pro and like both just fine. Just watch on the tripple bank chargers as far as cuttin one lead and extending it to reach the back cranking battery. This will cause a diff draw if your connection is not made good. It will work but dont go cheap on connectors and same gauge or heavier wire.

[mwardncsu]

good point - if extending a bank - which it sounds like you'd need to do in your situation with the batteries in the console and cranking batt in the rear - you need to pay particular caution to the manufacturers instructions. The MinnKotas at least have a temperature sensor built into the charging lead. You can cut the wire, but only "downstream" of the temperature sensor (its buried in the main cable near the "Y" where the two leads fork out). Then, you should extend this with 10 ga stranded wire (ideally marine-grade tinned stranded wire) and use quality heat-shrink crimp connectors and tools to achieve a proper crimp.

[Cap'n larry]

Ok thanks a lot for all the useful information. I was already swaying towards the minn Kota. Just for the simple fact of the great customer service I've had in the past from them. You guys just helped me make my decision! I was curious if you guys leave them on all the time. That was the main thing I wasn't sure about. Is it best to buy online from that Minn Kota outlet store? Anyone else have better prices than them?

[johnr]

I left my minnkotas plugged in all the time when I wasn't fishing.

I also used the 15amp per bank variety when I was using a 36v trolling motor system. The recovery time was noticeably faster than with a 10 amp charger.

[mwardncsu]

MinnKota has a $50 rebate going on currently on their chargers as well - that helps a little.....

Mine stay on 24x7 except when I'm on the water of course. Best thing for a battery is to get it charging ASAP after the it is drained - I plug mine in as soon as I hit the dock - once it recharges it goes into a maintenance/trickle mode to keep the battery topped up and ready to go.

That "MinnKota Outlet Store" is not a MinnKota store - its a general website that poses as a brand outlet (you'll find the same for Lowrance, etc, etc) - it may be legit, but I don't feel comfortable with it personally.

These are available at Bass Pro, Gander Mtn, Amazon, BOE Marine and other places, but I'd suggest giving Ben a call at SML Marine Electronics and give him a chance at your business - support our local guys when you can so that they can be there to fix our stuff and get us back on the water quickly when it breaks later

[Cap'n larry]

Ok thanks again guys. So I guess I will just go with the 3 bank 10 amp. So it's gonna say digital type mward? I've never been to SML so maybe riding up to get the charger will give me a excuse to try fishing there. I'm in Burlington and I always try to support local here but only one place I think that sells minnkota here. And they didn't have a 3 bank.

[mwardncsu]

Ahh - didn't realize (or I had forgotten...) you're in my back yard...... Ben does not have them in stock generally I don't think but can get them in a few days - typically you pay him and then he orders it.

If you want to go 3-bank, 10 A/bank, then you want the MK-330D

www.minnkotamotors.com/Products/MK-330D/

[Cap'n larry]

Ha ha. I figured you had forgotten mward. Well guess I will have to make a trip to the always wonderful bass pro shops. Just what my wife wants for mothers day weekend I bet! Lol

[Happy Camper]

Larry,I live in Mcleansville not far at all from you.I needed to replace a charger in a hurry couple years ago,and gander mountain in Greensboro had the mk 330d's in stock, I'd call first.Just thought I'd mention it.

[Cap'n larry]

Thanks again guys. I actually called minn Kota and basically said the same thing as kb and mward. On a different note the dude at minn Kota was telling me about the new chargers that use the boats electrical system to recharge. That feature would be kinda cool on long runs across the lake I guess.

[mwardncsu]

May 3, 2016 20:18:33 GMT -5 Cap'n larry said:

Thanks again guys. I actually called minn Kota and basically said the same thing as kb and mward. On a different note the dude at minn Kota was telling me about the new chargers that use the boats electrical system to recharge. That feature would be kinda cool on long runs across the lake I guess.

Check out this thread.....

smlfishingforums.proboards.com/thread/4533/using-aux-battery

[Cap'n larry]

Well I guess that pretty much hit the nail on the head. I was a little skeptical of that style charger. Guy at graham marine said my Johnson 90hp only puts out like 40 amps or something. And that's at wide open throttle. So pretty much useless for lake fishing. Thanks!