Charging cranking battery

Peter3708

Cadet
Joined
Feb 21, 2003
Messages
10
We (my wife said by it—I get to toe it for her because I am the good husband) have a ’99 175 Johnson FICHT on a ’99 Lund Tyee. The boat has two trolling batteries setup on an on-board charging system. The two trolling batteries are for the trolling motor only. The cranking battery supplies the motor, bilge pump, two depth finders, and gps, stereo and other items…. First question: Can I place a charger on the cranking battery with out disconnecting it? If I do need to disconnect the cranking battery will this affect the electronics on the motor? The all three batteries are over four years old…might be time for new??? Should I purchase a deep cycle for the cranking…if I do will the outboard motor be capable of properly charging the battery? So many questions so little time to fish. We just bought the boat and have not splashed it yet.
 

NathanY

Commander
Joined
Mar 16, 2002
Messages
2,408
Re: Charging cranking battery

I have all the same stuff on my boat, and I have never had to charge the cranking battery. If you dont have a marine cranking battery then you might want to consider one when you replace your batteries. The are tougher that regular car cranking batteries. If the alternator on your engine is good, then it will have no trouble charging and maintaining that battery. The only time that I put a chager on my battery is when it is in storage for a long period of time, then I use a 1 amp trickle charge/maintainer with an auto shut off. Overcharging a battery will kill it fast, and could cause it to burst.
 

Peter3708

Cadet
Joined
Feb 21, 2003
Messages
10
Re: Charging cranking battery

Nathan,<br /> We just brought the rig home, I would like to put the charger on the cranking battery to check out how it takes a charge. Do I need to disconnet it from the motor? On our old I/O i just hooked the charger to the battery with out disconnecting it.
 

NathanY

Commander
Joined
Mar 16, 2002
Messages
2,408
Re: Charging cranking battery

I have never heard of disconnecting it to put a charger on it, does your owner's manual say something about it? I know nothing about FICTH engines.
 

Hooty

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
Re: Charging cranking battery

It'll charge fine still hooked up. Like Nathan said though, be sure the charger has the ability to shut off when the battery is fully charged.<br />No deep cycle battery for the cranking battery. Use those on the trolling motor.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty
 

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: Charging cranking battery

Moondoggy<br />I agree ok to charge while hooked up with one exception. I have seen many voltage regulators blown by charging dead or weak batteries with the charger that have a 50 to 100 amp starter circuit. If you do not already have a charger then get a automatic one that you can charge both your trolling batteries and starting battery, just make sure to set voltage right.<br />Charge your batteries as soon as possible when run down and at least once a month.
 
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