Car Battery Charger?

[hostage]

I have a car battery charger from harbor freight laying around, I am wondering if I can use that charger on my 12 volt deep cycle battery I have in my boat? I have had to jump my boat last time I went out, so I don't know if the battery is shot or needs a charge.

Thanks,
Hostage

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

The batteries in most boats aren't really any different from an auto battery. If it's a standard 12V battery go for it. If it is an AGM/gell Cell battery you may want to get a specialty charger. I have a Schumacher digital battery charger that was pretty cheap and will charge any 12V battery including the AGM/gell cell types.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

You should have no problem with the regular charger on the deep cycle. If it has a "trickle" mode, that's what you'll want to use. Some have a setting for "start", which means they give a little more boost but you don't need that.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

Ayuh,... I agree with the Fireman,... The boat'll Never know the difference....

If ya have Amp charge choices, go lower....

 

[scca vette]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

I just put a charger mounted IN the boat to cure the problem of having a dead batt. I went to Napa and purchased this, http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail.aspx?R=NBC85300A_0006389653

It was under 30 bucks and mounted it in a area where it is not visable however the plug in is easy to reach without moving anything or opening the hatch. When the boat is sitting i n the driveway I just run a cord out the garage and plug it in and put the cover over the boat. Charged are ready to go when need be.

 

[AllAboard]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

The above charger says it's a manual style, not automatic. Will it shut off when charged, have a float mode, or will it just cook your battery ??

 

[hostage]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

Bah I am so pissed at myself I freaking wasn't paying attention and closed my garage door on my rear suv hatch left a scratch...I am thinking of paying the 69 for a battery and screwing this one until then it is charging. Westmarine tested it and it registered 80ca duno if a charge would make q difference

 

[Outsider]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

You might want to determine why your present battery is depleted at the same time you're getting a new one. Just so you'll know why it goes south, too ...

 

[191Seanymphstriper]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

Most batterys last 4 to 6 years so if its older then that being your on a baot id replace it! And also a guess battery charger will charge and maintain the battery at a low trickle and shut off completly and turn on automatically etc so the battery is always full and not over charged!

 

[Boatist]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

Just so you know most batteries die because they were not keep charged.
Any Lead acid battery needs to be fully charged as soon as possible at the end of each trip.
When a battery is discharged damage begins leave it discharged until the before the next trip and a lot of damage will be done.

Batteries chargers from 1.5 amps to 20 amps are fine for boat batteries but you must get one that is Automatic and will shut it self off when the charge is complete.

Harbor freight sells many battery chargers.
The have a float charger which is fine as a maintainer but I would not recommend as a charger as the voltage never go over 13.2 volts and would takes week to charge the battery.

They have a 1.5 automatic battery charger which is better but would still take a very long time to charge a discharged deep cycle.

I have one of each of these and they are cheap a great but I would never use it to charge the batteries after a day on the water with a discharged deep cycle. it just takes too long and too much damage can be done while it discharged.

I recommend any good Automatic or Smart battery charger but at least 10 amps. Even with a automatic 10 amp charger a discharged group 27 deep cycle will take more than 24 hours to fully charge.

I would not recommend any manual style charger because they will over charge a battery if you do not monitor the voltage closely and know when to shut it off.

Testing at west marine, Before any battery is load tested it must be fully charged or the load test is worthless.

Buying a new battery I would not do at West Marine. I like West Marine almost as much as Iboats but they are way over priced on their batteries. I would suggest Walmart or Cosco.

Good Luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[roncoop75]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

The batteries in most boats aren't really any different from an auto battery. If it's a standard 12V battery go for it. If it is an AGM/gell Cell battery you may want to get a specialty charger. I have a Schumacher digital battery charger that was pretty cheap and will charge any 12V battery including the AGM/gell cell types.

I'll second the Shumacher charger suggestion. 2 and 10 amp charge rates and a 60 amp jump start setting. Charges starting, deep cell and AGM. Will also show you the percentage of charge or voltage, as you're charging.

I think I've had mine for about 3 years and it still works great.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

I got this little guy from Wally and it works great and won't overcook http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-SpeedCharge-6-Amp-Battery-Charger/13005743

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

I bought mine off of eBay for around $60 I believe. It has the 2 amp trickle, a variable 12-30 amp setting, then a 100 amp start. Will do standard, deep cycle, or AGM batteries in either 6V or 12V. Pretty nice unit, and very light compared to older battery chargers!

SC-10030A is the model number I think.

 

[Hank496]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

The discussion of whether the chargers are ok for the battery is all well and fine, but somebody has to point out that using a non ignition protected electrical device in an enclosed engine compartment of a gas boat is unsafe. As is attaching clamp type battery terminals that might cause sparking.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

The discussion of whether the chargers are ok for the battery is all well and fine, but somebody has to point out that using a non ignition protected electrical device in an enclosed engine compartment of a gas boat is unsafe. As is attaching clamp type battery terminals that might cause sparking.

Lol, so run the blower for a minute or two before attaching the clamps.

 

[109jb]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

Lol, so run the blower for a minute or two before attaching the clamps.

Or attach the clamps before you plug the charger in.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

Or attach the clamps before you plug the charger in.

...like the instruction manual says...

 

[j_martin]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

I have one of these Harbor Freight jobs on the ignition battery, which is seldom below 80%. If it's deeply down, I use the Schumacher 15 amp unit on it, usually set at 10 amps.

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-amp-three-stage-onboard-battery-charger-maintainer-99857.html

the Group 27 deep cycle batteries have a 10 amp/bank onboard charger/maintainer all to themselves.

The harbor freight and the Schumacher chargers cycle on and off to maintain peak charge, rather than soak. I've lost batteries over the winter with a soak charger, but never with these.

The way battery prices are skyrocketing these days, I think I'll invest in some desulfators.

 

[boltonranger]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

Something else to consider - I read where (At least on the 3.7 liter) charging IN the boat can damage the alternator; this may only be intrinsic to the 3.7's "generator on the crankshaft" setup. Beyond that I am unsure.

As for charging in the boat - you do build up hydrogen in larger quantities when charging from discharged. So ventilation might be important.
-br

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Car Battery Charger?

FYI- those of you with a Schumacher might check into your specific model, but many of theirs include a desulfinator "mode" if needed. I'm not sure if it can actually be selected or if it just self-activates.