battery charger

[strokeoluck]

We finally put our "new" 2005 Bayliner (used of course, but new to us) in the third stall of our garage today. Had to do a bit of cleaning out but after more efficiently storing just about everything - and putting some things in the basement - it fits great. I lowered the lower unit and could hear the battery starting to wind down a bit, like it was running out of juice. The guy that sold me the boat showed me where the original battery is located, and then also showed me two "extra" batteries in the engine area, as well as a charger of some sort that was mounted inside the engine compartment. He said all I'd have to do is plug the charger into a regular outlet and let the batteries charge. My questions for those of you that may have such a set up...

1) Why do I need three batteries? The only additional item he had installed in the boat was a Lowrance gps/depth/fish finder.

2) If I plug this battery charger thing in, how long should I leave it plugged in?

3) Will the charger automatically charge (trickle charge?) all three batteries, or do I have to rotate something around to ensure all three get charged?

I can't find a manual for the charger, and will admit that it was cold enough outside today that I wasn't eager to sit still with my head in the engine compartment trying to figure it out. Thanks in advance for any help you guys can offer. Thanks.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: battery charger

You should be able to leave it plugged in all winter, which will keep the batteries topped up. But a make and model of the charger would help. He may have had some other equipment in the boat that has since been removed. High draw stuff like trolling motors, TV's, sound equipment will usually be put on aux batteries, so your starting battery never gets run down leaving you stranded. Three batteries is super nice, dual batteries common, and a single battery typical on a new boat. Sounds like you got a good deal...well depending on how the boat is equipped and it's condition of course!


Ian

 

[Silvertip]

Re: battery charger

A boat with three batteries tells me that the boat was originally wired for a 24 volt trolling motor. That requires two batteries wired in series. The third battery is the starting battery and has no connection to the other two. Another possibility is that this boat contains three junk batteries and two of them are just along for the ride in hopes that one of them will get the engine started.

Look at the charger. An AC power cord will come out of the case and is intended to plug into a standard 120 volt outlet. Check the case for one, two, or three pairs of smaller wires, with each pair leading to one of the batteries. If this is the case, you have what's called a three bank charger. One bank charges one battery. If you have two pairs of outputs you have a two bank charger so one of the batteries must be wired in PARALLEL with another for a two bank charger to charge all batteries. If there is only one pair of outputs you have a one-bank charger and in your case it should be connected to the starting battery. How the other two are charged is anyones guess. Lastly, the boat may have a battery switch labeled OFF-BAT 1-BOTH-BAT 2. That's another story so to answer your question we need lots more information on what you really have.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: battery charger

A boat with three batteries tells me that the boat was originally wired for a 24 volt trolling motor.

You are correct. I forgot he had a trolling motor because he kept it as part of the deal. I'll take a look under the hood soon and get back to you guys with any more questions/details. Thanks.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: battery charger

I dug around under the cover and found the battery charger connected to two batteries. Both batteries had plastic covers and straps on, so I didn't disconnect anything because I didn't want to mess anything up - and it was darn cold in the garage. I followed the red/black insulated wires up the side of the boat and all the way to the front, where they're protected by a black outlet cover (for lack of a better description) right underneath where the trolling motor was mounted.

So now my question is, do I do anything w/this setup if I don't plan to install another trolling motor? Are these batteries of any use to me on a regular basis?

Thanks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: battery charger

Since you do not plan to add a trolling motor, you can remove one or both of those. Why haul around the extra weight. If you feel you need a spare for emergency starting or if you plan to run a high power stereo or some other equipment, then leave one of them in the boat and wire high current draw items to that battery. You didn't tell us what the charger was connected to or how many outputs it had.