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Post by bushwacker on Jan 13, 2017 23:22:36 GMT -5
Looking for opinions on a 3 bank charger. I have a 2 bank quest now I got from KB over the summer but before I hooked it up I upgraded to a 24v riptide. I have it hooked up but I'd like to charge my troll batteries and cranking battery too. Do you guys leave them on even when gone. I don't have mine on now but feel maybe I should.
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Post by mwardncsu on Jan 13, 2017 23:37:12 GMT -5
If you have a "smart charger" that will put itself into "maintence mode" for the battery once it reaches a charged level then leave it hooked up. I had MinnKota four bank that stayed connected for about 5 years except when on the water. Now I have MK three and two Bank when I moved to a 36V TM.
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johnr
New Member
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Post by johnr on Jan 14, 2017 4:29:06 GMT -5
I did the same as mike. I think I used the MK 345D. My only complaint was about once a year I'd lose a bank and have to crawl into the tightest space ever in order to remove it and return it to minn Kota. Then finally i lost a bank after the warranty expired and never replaced it.
I've been using a portable battery charger since then. There is a difference. With the Minnkota charger always plugged in, my batteries would last a solid 4-5 years. Since using this portable charger for a year, my batteries have gone to crap and need replacing at the early age of 18 months. I attribute this to uneven charging current, overcharging because the portable isn't a smart charger, and letting the batteries deplete a bit between charges when off the charger.
Based on my experience, I feel it's best to leave a smart charger hooked up all the time. Your batteries will thank you. Unless a bank goes bad in your smart charger and you don't know it.
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Post by bushwacker on Jan 14, 2017 10:15:07 GMT -5
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Post by mwardncsu on Jan 14, 2017 15:36:44 GMT -5
10a per bank is a good level. Thanks be heard of 15a/bank cooking some batteries and unless you need very rapid recharge it's overkil
I have the MinnKota Precison chargers now - mainly as I was constrained on space and they are smaller and lighter than the equivalent MinnKota digital ones. Both are good chargers. The Precision does let you set each individual bank to the battery type which is good if you have a mix of wet-cell, AGM, etc.
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Post by bushwacker on Jan 14, 2017 16:29:01 GMT -5
I've been liking the looks of the noco GEN three for the reason of being small, light and it says it can detect the different kind of batteries.
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Post by Live Bait JunkEE on Jan 14, 2017 17:27:07 GMT -5
I say if money is not an issue - Minn precision 10amp -- I have basic Minn 10 amp, no problems and very happy with charge rate in back to back use rotations. Love the factory 3 year warranty --
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Post by steviejayvaughan on Jan 14, 2017 19:34:49 GMT -5
I have a single bank 10amp noco that's been on a trolling battery for over a year without a problem. I have the 3 bank noco to replace a basspro promariner charger when it craps out. I don't think you can go wrong with either.
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Post by 31Airborne on Jan 16, 2017 7:01:50 GMT -5
I also use an MK charger. Love it. Had to replace it once. MK customer service was super about it. The model I have is capable of supporting all types of battery - wet cell, gel, AGM.
When your batts are fully charged the system goes into the trickle mode automatically. Plug it in, leave until you hook it up to go out.
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Yam
New Member
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Post by Yam on Jan 16, 2017 8:38:39 GMT -5
I have two on board minnkota chargers. One three bank and one two bank. They have yet to disappoint me in 4 years of use. 10 amp per bank does the job for me. I run my TM like a maniac all day and sometimes only get a 4 hour charge or less on the batteries overnight. The lights are usually blinking after 3 hours or so indicating that my batteries are fully charged.
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BentRod
Global Moderator
Posts: 2,252
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Post by BentRod on Jan 16, 2017 9:40:28 GMT -5
I've run a 3 bank Minn Kota for 8years now - never an issue. I also have a ~4yr old Minn Kota single bank - no issues even though I'm pretty sure it's sat in water a time or three.
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Post by drag4striper on Jan 16, 2017 10:03:48 GMT -5
I have a Minn Kota MK 315 three bank charger on my boat. Bought the boat used so I got no paperwork about the charger. I have been unplugging it after charging is complete.
Does anyone else have this model and is it safe to keep it plugged in all the time?
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BentRod
Global Moderator
Posts: 2,252
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Post by BentRod on Jan 16, 2017 11:19:14 GMT -5
I have a Minn Kota MK 315 three bank charger on my boat. Bought the boat used so I got no paperwork about the charger. I have been unplugging it after charging is complete. Does anyone else have this model and is it safe to keep it plugged in all the time? Mine stays plugged up 24/7 |
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Post by drag4striper on Jan 16, 2017 11:56:38 GMT -5
Thanks bentrod.
Do I need to check the water level more often while having the charger on constantly?
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BentRod
Global Moderator
Posts: 2,252
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Post by BentRod on Jan 16, 2017 12:18:40 GMT -5
I wouldn't think so - may not hurt. Once it's fully charged, it goes into like a maintenance mode where it's only going to deliver current to the batteries when they drop below a certain voltage.
If you moved up in amps per bank recently with a new charger, then you may check the battery levels more often.
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