Re: how often to charge batteries
For the cost of a battery once every four years, I don't baby them. I charge both troling motor and starting battery off my outboard- using an isolator switch. In order to keep the voltage down when charging the deep cycle, I use long and thin cable - different from the ones going to the trolling motor. Proper way would be a resistor I suppose but like I said, why bother. I can remember when I bought the boat and asked them to wire the trolling motor battery. He looked suprised and said 'you don't chrage it like that...you take it out and charge it at home or charge it from the dock.' What a freakin inconvenience! For the cost of one tank of gas, I can buy a deep cycle battery. So far every one I have owned (3)has lasted 7 years or more. Matter of fact, my first deep cycle battery from my old boat got transferred to my car after at least 5 years in the boat -maybe more. That was in 1996 or so. Since I put it there, I only buy deep cycle batteries for the other cars I have owned since. They sure have come in handy the odd time I have left my lights on and don't seem to suffer in the cold of winter at starting. The one battery was ten years old when i sold the car and wasn't showing any signs of needing replacing that winter.<br />They're batteries, they work for you. Even if you abuse them, what's $80 every three years at worst? Charge it with your OB and save your shoulder socket and a lot of time.
