Charging deep cysle batteries

[kipper12]

Hi all

New to electric trolling motors. Finally made the plunge because so many lakes near my house are electric only. Anyways I've got a standard deep cycle battery linked below. I also have a basic car battery charger already. Is that okay for charging this or should I buy something specific for a deep cycle battery? There seems to be a dearth of info about this on the net. Some people saying smart/deep cycle charger is the only way to go and other places I've read say a standard charger is fine????

Thx!


Nautilus Starting and Deep Cycle Battery, 27 BCI | Canadian Tire

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Charging deep cysle batteries

you'll be fine. that's a "combo" battery not a straight deep cycle. If only used for trolling motor only you might be just a tiny bit better with a straight deep cycle. The battery you linked is sorta in betweenish.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Charging deep cysle batteries

+1 agree, your auto charger will work fine. Could go to built in 3-stage charger to better maintain your battery. Most auto chargers need to be removed once battery has reached full change, that is unless they are also a 3-stage type. If your going to use the trolling motor often will probably need a charger which at least puts out 10 AMPS, but more is better. Here is a 6 AMP but this would be a once a week kind of charger.

http://forums.iboats.com/yamaha-suzuki-outboards/yammi-f150-fuel-probs-198670.html

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Charging deep cysle batteries

Your auto charger should work fine. I like to slow charge my deep cycle at 2amps..... In fact, my charger(schumacher) has a deep cycle setting and will shutdown after it's fully charged and then maintain the charge.

 

[kipper12]

Re: Charging deep cycle batteries

Re: Charging deep cycle batteries

Thanks for all the replies.

My charger is a manual 6 amp so that sounds like it should be fine. I do understand the removal of the manual charger after a full charge. I suppose I could throw an on off timer inline so I don't have to remember. I'll probably stick with that setup for a while although an intelligent charger that takes the guess work of of things is only about 50 bucks... We'll see how annoyed I get managing it.

Cheers.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Charging deep cysle batteries

Definitely get a smart charger. Over the long run, you will save the cost of your batteries with what you pay for the charger.

When this battery eventually dies, get a real deep cycle battery. Also, never discharge more than 50% and your battery will last much longer. 50% is at around 12.0 V.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Charging deep cysle batteries

Agree with All! +++

The difference between a manual "Old School" charger and a "Smart" Charger lies in where the brains are located.
The Smart charger has the Brains built into the charger.
The Old School, Manual Charger, relies on the brains of the user to discontinue charging after a reasonable period of time.
The battery can't tell the difference.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Charging deep cysle batteries

A smart charger uses its processor to control charging current which depend on certain voltages reached over time. A three stage smart charger will have various charge currents during the charge cycle. If you have a standard charger, it is impossible to duplicate.