Battery Charging

[maxumlemon]

I am new to this and I am learning as I go, to say the least. Got a Force 85 on a 16ft Maxum. Last season charged the battery before I took it out and for the most part was fine. But after the addition of fish finder, radio,coupled with the fact alot out my boating was at night having to run lights inside and out, took a toll on the deep cycle battery I have in there and stranded me a couple times . How can I charge that battery when the boat is running? thank you.

 

[maxum247]

Re: Battery Charging

The charging system on the 85 is not designed to deal with the loads you are asking of it.
Your starting battery for the motor needs to deal with just that starting the motor, running lights, bilge pump, blower motor if your boat uses one.
The rest needs to be on another battery and fuse block dedicated to just radios, fishfinder, spotlight, etc.
There are switches designed for two battery hookups like that.

max!

 

[john from md]

Re: Battery Charging

A deep cycle battery will not charge well from a 9 amp charging system like that on a 85hp Force. If you use a starting battery, the 85's stator can charge it fairly quickly. The amperage draw from the fishfinder is small but the lights and radio do draw some current.

I recommend that, after you get a starting battery, that you add a cigarette lighter and plug in a voltmeter so you can see when it's time to start the engine and charge. Check your voltage output, it should read about 13.5 at idle and 14 to 14.5 at cruise.

I also recommend that you buy a battery tender and put the battery on it when you come home after a day(or night) of fishing.

Regards,

John

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Battery Charging

And there is no need to be starnded! the ignition system is completely separate from the starter; even if there is no charge in the starting battery that engine can be rope started. Carry a spare lawn mower rope on board.

You should practice a couple of times at the dock so you know what sequence you need to pull start. ( whether you ned to choke it by hand or prime it with a couple of squirts of gas. etc.)

 

[NFA]

Re: Battery Charging

Good advice Frank. I just recently added a 2nd battery for extra accessories, mainly the radio. I've got my second battery completely separate from the starting battery, no switch, no daisy-chain. This way I am not drawing anything from my main battery and the piece of mind is fantastic. The only drawback to this is that if I kill my 2nd battery, unless I want to use my main one which I know I won't, I've lost my appliances for the time being. However, I'm very conscious of battery usage and put the 2nd battery on the charger after almost every outing, or every 2-3 outings. Works like a charm.

As a side-note, the charging systems on Forces don't have the best reputation either. Just from what I've heard and read.



SSS

 

[john from md]

Re: Battery Charging

NFA,

If you replace your rectifier with a regular as stated in the sticky, you will have a reliable charging system. I agree with the peace of mind of knowing that your engine will start when you want it to.

Frank,

I too carry a starter rope. However, my arthritic back hopes that I never have to use it.

John