BATTERY CHARGING

[CLICK7]

I recently bought a battery charger black&decker<br />reading thru charging instruction,it says for marine batteries to remove from boat and charge on shore,it dosent say why,Does any body know why you would have to do this,and if not should you disconnect the cabels befor charging or can you leave them hooked up,or could this damage any outbaord electronics?

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: BATTERY CHARGING

So explosive vapors emitted from the battery during the charging process don't collect in the bilge.

 

[dingbat]

Re: BATTERY CHARGING

Olbuddyjack reason seems logical but how come you can use an on-board charger and not have the same situation? <br />I've used both on-board and portable units and have never seen this type of a warning before.

 

[QC]

Re: BATTERY CHARGING

This is definitely CYA stuff. I charge (portable charger) with the battery(s) installed and everything hooked up. I have been blasted before, but if you followed every manufacturer's advice you'd never get the boat out of the driveway . . . With our litigious society I am surprised anybody even makes boats anymore.

 

[CLICK7]

Re: BATTERY CHARGING

I was thinking ventalation to,long as i leave the hatch up,should be ok, you agree?Iwill probaly charge 2-3 days before i plan to go anyway.charging mainly batteries to trolling motor,but like to go and top off chareg on craking battery to.

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: BATTERY CHARGING

Yea, I see what your saying. Your altenator could charge enough to produce vapors too. <br />Some local marinas will only let you use onboard chargers that are marine rated. The reason, I was told, is that portable chargers could boil the battery and cause the vapor collection problem where as the marine ones would not.<br />Maybe its B&Ds way of covering their butt?

 

[milkyway]

Re: BATTERY CHARGING

I always charge on board, 2x a month and never had any spill. I am using a true marine charger ( from Boaters' World - does it make it so?) that has a trickle feature starting from 1.8 amps. This thing intelligently adjusts the amps and stops charging and says FULL on the dash.

 

[CLICK7]

Re: BATTERY CHARGING

The one i got is a so called smart charger,it charges is 3 stages and shuts off when fully charged then float charges to keep battery toped off,it even got a fault sensor in case you hook it up backwards,It aint no big deal to take it out but it messes up my presets on my radio.

 

[briannh1234]

Re: BATTERY CHARGING

The marine battery chargers will not throw a spark. The non-marine ones might. I'm not sure how they make sure the marine ones don't spark.<br /><br />My Wal-Mart smart charger say's to remove the battery from the boat before charging it. IMHO If the boat is floating on the water with the plug in I think the instructions are correct, since fumes can collect in the bilge. (these fumes sink)<br /><br />However I have used the same charger with the battery still in the boat and connected to everything. The difference is that the boat was on the trailer and the plug was out of the bilge. IMHO With the plug out the fumes cannot collect and you are in no more danger than charging your car battery.<br /><br />Nice charger from Wal-mart. I have tried it on every 12 volt and 6 volt battery I own. At Walmart there like $30. I have seen the same charger in the overpriced yuppie catalogs for $75 and up...

 

[CLICK7]

Re: BATTERY CHARGING

Sounds good to me,think i will just leave it in the boat.

 

[CLICK7]

Re: BATTERY CHARGING

I think your right briannh1234,im stupid it just dawened on me when they say on shore there referring to the boat being in the water as apposed to being trailered. Thank all yall for your input.