Starting battery and charging it

This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 5 months ago by 1blubyu.

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January 14, 2015 at 4:43 pm #291741

1bluu
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My starting battery is a PM31. The factory ProMite 5 is wired to it for charging. But it takes longer than overnight for the ProMite to indicate a full recharge.My questions are:1. Should I continue to charge using the ProMite5, or use the ol Schumacher 10 amp on deep cycle?2. If using the Schumacher, should I remove the ProMite leads from the battery terminals, or simply not plug the Promite in?3. Should I flip the starting battery breaker to “off” for charging?These are probably obvious to many of you, but Im coming from a different scenario and this is a little foreign to me. I would like to make sure Im following a procedure that works best.

January 14, 2015 at 8:44 pm #291742

grybrd
Participant

Given that the motor charging system (alternator) should be maintaining the charge on your cranking battery, it is very surprising that it needs much more than a topping up. I am not familiar with your charger, others will hopefully chime in, but I would check the charger output. This can be done with a volt meter or, if you prefer, change the wires between a TM battery and the cranking battery and see if the problem moves. My 2 cents.

January 14, 2015 at 9:32 pm #291743

catdude28
Participant

Personally, I would continue to use the Schumacher to charge the PM1 with its 10 amps simply because it will be a lot faster. As well, if your cranking battery gets a large drawdown, the 5 amps from the Pro-Mite may not be enough to re-charge it (nor may the 10 amp Schumacher). Some people buy the suggested 40 amp charger for the PM 1, but it is probably overkill. I would disconnect the leads from the Pro-Mite because some feedback from the Schumacher as it is charging may interfere and damage the circuitry of the Pro-Mite. I would just disconnect it and forget about it. I never flip the main breaker off when I am charging. Also, be sure to unplug the MK on your P2 when charging the troller batteries. Sharp rig that you bought.

January 14, 2015 at 9:39 pm #291744

1blubyu
Participant

Thanks guys. I have been unplugging the MK while charging their batteries.

January 14, 2015 at 10:16 pm #291745

f33730349
Participant

Is it also important to unplug a motorguide trolling motor before charging the T/M batteries or does that apply only to MinnKota for some reason …..? I have never unplugged my Motorguide and have never had a problem…have I been lucky ?

January 14, 2015 at 10:18 pm #291746

1blubyu
Participant

f33730349 wrote:Is it also important to unplug a motorguide trolling motor before charging the T/M batteries or does that apply only to MinnKota for some reason …..? I have never unplugged my Motorguide and have never had a problem…have I been lucky ?I swear Ive read somewhere that its more important for MK than MG. However, better safe than sorry. Go ahead and unplug it.

January 14, 2015 at 11:07 pm #291747

catdude28
Participant

1blubyu wrote:f33730349 wrote:Is it also important to unplug a motorguide trolling motor before charging the T/M batteries or does that apply only to MinnKota for some reason …..? I have never unplugged my Motorguide and have never had a problem…have I been lucky ?I swear Ive read somewhere that its more important for MK than MG. However, better safe than sorry. Go ahead and unplug it.The MG has a switch for “off” position on the foot pedal. If you charge it with this switch off, you are safe. MK does not have this switch, so you must unplug it. The idea is to prevent potential damage to the circuit board in the electric motor while charging.Last edited by catdude28 on January 14th, 2015, 11:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

January 15, 2015 at 1:34 am #291748

toledobasser
Participant

Id say that unless you plan to use it within the next couple of days, Id shut off the breaker to the starting battery. There can be parasitic drain from multiple sources and it could be enough to draw the battery down over time. At least thats my opinion.Jim EbarbMany, LA (Toledo Bend Lake)2004 Cougar/ 225 OptimaxHumminbird Helix 12 Chirp SI on BalzOut Mount at bowLowrance HDS 7 at bowHumminbird Helix 12 Mega SI on Ram Mount at ConsoleLowrance HDS 8 in dash at console

January 15, 2015 at 6:10 am #291749

1stinLA
Participant

My first question is are you running much at all when fishing, or just short hops that would not charge up your cranking battery? If your not charging it when running and the electronics are pulling it down pretty low it could take up to 20 hours or more for a 5 amp charger to fully charge that battery, depending on how low it is. Your charger should be putting out between 13.5-15 volts approx. I would definitely turn the breaker off to stop some of the parasitic drain. I personally unplug my troller anytime I put the boat on the trailer just because Ive got to see the results of a trolling motor switch shorting out and running under a boat cover, and it involved a lot of fire damage to that persons boat, vehicles, and home. When using the Schumacher just dont plug in the Pro-mite. Just remember it could take the 10 amp charger from 6-10 hours to fully charge that battery.

January 15, 2015 at 9:31 am #291750

1blubyu
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Thanks guys!
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