Charging batteries

This topic has 33 replies, 25 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 2 months ago by Bass Cat Boats.

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February 23, 2008 at 3:44 am #452336

basschaser
Participant

With these new motors pulling power from the engine 24/7, I always charge mine when I get home and then again the nite before I take it out. Good luck Joe. Judd Lasiter

February 23, 2008 at 4:16 am #452337

Basstar
Participant

Joe, Judd LOVES these automatic onboard chargers, too! Take my advice and go old school in this one area and get a couple of good chargers, rather than depend on the onboard chargers. JMHO Also, be sure to charge your T/M batteries AND your cranking battery between uses.

February 23, 2008 at 4:17 am #452338

basscatjoep4
Participant

Thats the way I have been doing it all along. Just didnt want to over charge or screw up batteries. And have to spend $$ on replacing them. Figure I better ask the experts. Thanks for reply Judd & Basstar Joe B.Last edited by basscatjoep4 on February 23rd, 2008, 4:28 am, edited 1 time in total.Your Signature …

February 23, 2008 at 3:49 pm #452339

john1112
Participant

If you trust the onboard chargers, which I do, theyre designed to be plugged in constantly. Hey Joe, your brother get his boat yet?

February 23, 2008 at 4:16 pm #452340

basscat247
Participant

Not a good idea to leave them plugged in all the time. Electronics can fail and can also cause fire. Their was a post on here last year where this happened to somebody. Another thing to think about is what if your charger does not quit charging and you over charge. You can ruin a perfectly good battery. I have what is considered to be the best charger on the market in my boat. I have a MK60. This is a 4 bank charger that pushes 15 amps per bank by Minn Kota. No way I would leave it charging 24/7. Take Care and Good Luck JW

February 23, 2008 at 5:19 pm #452341

basscatjoep4
Participant

Thanks BC buddies. Not yet John, hey told me he has to finish pay off his house first. Which he said is about 2 years away Joe B.Your Signature …

February 24, 2008 at 12:22 am #452342

john1112
Participant

I hear you Joey, but I cant believe a reputable company would advervtise thier product does something it doesnt. Ive heard it before, but is this factual (onboard chargers destroy batteries and possbly burn down houses)?

February 24, 2008 at 2:51 am #452343

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

john1112 wrote: I hear you Joey, but I cant believe a reputable company would advervtise thier product does something it doesnt. Ive heard it before, but is this factual (onboard chargers destroy batteries and possbly burn down houses)? While I see your point John and I do understand your point. But tell me what happens when lightning strikes your house while that charger is plugged in. I know it is a big what if but it is a big enough if (and knowing my luck) that there is no way in the world I leave mine plugged in. Matter of fact if I get home from the lake and it is storming and nasty, I wait until the lightning passes before I plug them in. Just something else to think about. @ AJ. They did fine today thanks to the old hand helds JL

February 24, 2008 at 4:45 am #452344

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Again, we have said here before that a timer for a charger is a good idea. You can plug it in and let it charge for a few minutes each day with a timer BCB

February 10, 2013 at 2:27 am #358618

greenskeeper
Participant

How long should batteries take to charge? If charged the previous week, would they have to be recharged if not used? Joe B.Your Signature …

February 10, 2013 at 3:15 am #358621

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Personally I leave my going 24/7 and I have never had a issue. Once they have taken their charge its done. Sure a trickle charging may take place at some point and time but I am never around to see it. Running Optimas and have had this set in the boat going on my third year, sense 07 only replaced the set of three once and that was because I was able to get them at a great deal through the federation. Never had a on board charger issue either,just in case you were thinking of that also.

February 10, 2013 at 3:47 am #358624

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Search and you will find a timer is suggested.

February 10, 2013 at 4:21 am #358627

Grant2
Participant

Charge and unplug then give them a charge right before you leave to go fishing.

February 10, 2013 at 12:44 pm #358630

billius
Participant

I do as suggested above. I charge my batteries as soon as I get home. Then unplug the charger. I usually try to top the batteries off for a few hours before I leave for the next trip. The main reason I unplug mine is due to safety. Things can happen if its plugged in 24/7. You never know if there will be a malfunction with the charger, could cause a fire. It would be a long shot, but if youd have a thunderstorm, lightning could strike, and possibly burn up the charger and your boat wiring. (I have a buddy who had the misfortune to have that happen, he even had it hooked to a power strip.)

February 10, 2013 at 2:11 pm #358633

Puma Jim
Participant

never understood the 24/7 thing especially during thunder storms. I work in the Fire Dept so call me nervous about this but a guy on another board lost his boat and garage because of a bad charger he left plugged in. When I am not fishing I have mine on a simple wall timer that comes on once a wekk to top off batteries. I just see no need for the 24/7 thing even if it shuts down after a full charge. I crack up at the “always do it and never had a problem.” It only takes one time –
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