Charging batteries

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.This is what Ive done for years. Never had an issue with an onboard charger in 5 boats. Mine is also on a GFCI equipped plug in my shop for added safety. My current one (NOCO) charges them fully, then monitors the batteries and tops them off automatically as required. Optima batteries last an average of between 4 and 5 years for me. The information on this subject varies greatly depending on whether you ask the charger manufacturer, or the battery manufacturer, and then which one you ask. Battery chargers, if properly connected and maintained, should present no more of a fire hazard than any other electrical appliance. I keep my bilge area clean, the compartment lid up for ventilation, and check it weekly. Im just stating what has worked for me.

Robin, I never did before, but Doug and Ward convinced me that if your line gets hit by lightning you are able to at least save your troller by unplugging it. I figure it takes 15 seconds to save $1,200 so I do it now. John

bhsmith50 wrote: Ive also noticed the spark when plugging in, does disconnecting the trolling motor stop that,I always unplug the TM and notice a small spark when I plug mine in too.

thanks

OKIE DOAK…THANKS

The digital trolling motors draw voltage as long as the trolling motor is plugged in. If its a Motorguide, the on/off switch will cut the power. If its a MinnKota, the mom/off/con does not kill the power to the control board. With this in mind, consider a 36V trolling motor that is “sees” a voltage of 38.25 when the batteries are fully charged. When charging the voltage can reach as high as 43.5V, too much for the modules or control boards to stand. Simply unplugging eliminates this “chance”.JohnJones Trolling Motor Services870 773 3474Motorguide/MinnKota/PowerPole/Lowrance/Humminbird

Digital variable speed motors need to be disconnected from the batteries while charging to prevent possible damage to the circuit board as mentioned above. On the MK, you have to either unplug or use a cut off switch as the switch on the side of the foot pedal DOES NOT disconnect the circuit board from the batteries when in the “off” position. On the MG digital motors, the switch on the side of the foot pedal DOES disconnect from the batteries in the “off” position. I dislike constantly plugging and unplugging my MK, so I installed a cut off switch in the battery compartment and leave the motor plugged in at the bow panel all of the time.