2 or 3 bank charger

[MASTER Brian]

I have been thinking of getting an onboard battery charger, but I'm not sure what to look for.

I have 3 batteries. 1 is for starting the boat and the assecories, the other 2 are for the trolling motor and from what I can tell wired independently of each other, though the troller can be switched from 12v to 24v at the trollers controls.

I realize that the alternator charges the main battery, but should it be included in the onboard charger?

What is a good brand(s) and what should I look out for. Also, what price range will I be looking at? I have seen a few on ebay, but am leary.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

Also, does it need to be installed in a dry storage area or can I install it in the area, where the batteries, fuel tanks, etc are? Water obviously gets in there, as that is where the hull drain leads, but it should never reach the top or I'm likely going down. It's also vented, which I would think to be good.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

Has anyone heard of the Steath 1 Battery charger, which charges all the batteries off of the alternator? I guess it starts with the 1st battery, when it's charged, it switches to the 2nd, then to the 3rd.

http://www.semarine.com/trolling/stealth.shtml

http://www.stealthcharging.com/MANUAL.DOC

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

Interesting product although pretty expensive. Hopefully, you realize this is not really an onboard charger but a smarter version of a passive battery isollator or battery combiner. It will not charge your batteries when the engine is not running.

If you are looking for a charger that can charge all 3 batterries off of AC, go to Bass Pros online. They have a large selection of chargers.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

Granted it is expensize and it's not really an onboard charger, but sounds like it would solve my issue of uncharged batteries/keeping batteries charged during the season.

I may be able to get one for under $100 or I won't get it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

If it was under a $100, I would buy it.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

I bought one of these 2 bank chargers from Bass Pro a while back and I'm happy with it so far. The in-store price was alot higher, but if you tell them it's cheaper on their web site, they look it up and give it to you for that price...

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=74190&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults ] Click Here [/url]

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

That doesn't look like too bad of a price. The 3 bank looks to be $139. Better than what I found elsewhere.

We don't have a Bass Pro here, just a Gander Mountain. I'd have to get it online!

Thanks!

 

[roscoe]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

I picked up a Minn Kota 2 bank 5/5 , with built-in maintainer, for $87, minus a $25 rebate.

I have my 2 trolling motor batteries hooked up to it.

I only use a .3amp maintainer on the starting battery, just to keep it topped off.

Cabela's has the ProMariner ProMite chargers on sale now.
2 bank, $80, 3 bank, $99.

If you troll for 8-10 hours a day, several days in a row, you may want a charger with 10 amps per bank.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

Are these ok to install in the bilge area, where the fuel tanks and batteries are? Otherwise I'm not certain were I would install it. I'd hate to screw into a dry storage area to store it there.

I'm thinking of attaching it to the bottom side of the deck that covers my fuel/oil/batteries.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

They are all sealed so they should be fine.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

As long as the area is vented, it will be fine. They do recommend a dry area...

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

Well, the area is vented, it does get water, but not up to the top so it should stay fairly dry. In fact, things are probably drier there than some of the "dry" storage areas, because with the vents the condensation doesn't seem to build as much.

 

[--GQ--]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

The purpose of having multiple bank charging system is to suit multiple isolated power system on your boat. Unless your boat is a ship or a luxury boat, isolated power system is counter productive. The idea of having multiple batteries on a small boat is SAFETY. Should one battery is dead the spare will get you back to shore.

To properly answer the question; if indeed you have multiple batteries connected via a common switch in your boat, multiple bank battery charger is not needed. No significant advantages what so ever. But if you insist on spending the extra money, more power to you. 8)

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

GQ, safety is not the only reason I have multiple batteries. Maybe having a sole battery for starting and accessories is safety, in that Ranger (and other fishing boat manufacturers) don't want you to rely on the battery(s) for the troller to get the boat started.

Other than that the other two batteries are for the troller motor. They are only connected via a common switch (per say) at the troller motor itself, so that it can be run on 12V or 24V. Other than that, they (as well as the main battery) are on completely seperate circuits.

In essence there are NO spare batteries on my boat all 3 have their purpose. Of course with that said, I could unhook one of the troller batteries and hook it up, so that it would start my boat, but I would have to physically unhook and rehook cables. So, yes a multile bank charger is needed for fishing boats like mine! Unless of course, one likes to charge one battery, then move to the next and then the next!! With the batteries on my boat at 2amp, that would only take 2-3 weeks!!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

Absolutely. That's why I set up a 2 bank charger on mine. To charge (And Maintain) the starting battery and troller battery. Very convienient to just hook it up and forget it. Plus, my batteries are in a difficult to access area, so I installed one of the Battery Charger Inlet plugs. No wires hanging around at all. Just plug in the extention cord and leave it...

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

Rick, I'm looking at that plug as well. I am just trying to decide between the Promariner 3 bank for $99 at Cabelas and the 3 bank from bass pro, for $130($139 ?).

One question I do have is, these shut off, when the battery is charged, correct? So in essence I could plug it in over the winter and leave it. Or do I need to keep checking on it?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

When the batteries are fully charged, it goes into the "Float" mode, which will keep them topped off as needed. That's why they are called "Smart Chargers"....One thing I like about mine, is that when one battery becomes fully charged, all of the charge is directed to the battery that needs it. So when my starting battery tops off, 10 Amps is sent to the troller battery until it's all the way up.(Or visa/versa) Don't know if the Cabelas one does that or not.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

I think Promariner makes both of them, so either would be fine. Had I seen that one when I bought mine, I would have gotton it....Heck of a price....

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: 2 or 3 bank charger

Well, I DL'd the instructions for the Promariner and it doesn't say anything about directing charge if one battery is full, it just says it goes to maintenance mode.

I like the looks of the Bass Pro one better and the fact it transfers the amps, but then the Promariner is several inches smaller and a great price.

One thing that does look cool as well is the remote battery status monitor. I'm not sure where I'd mount it...