Using a trickle charger in boat?

[Expidia]

This season started off with some great boating days so far . . . But since it's still cold and the boating days can be a month apart I noticed my Daughter has been using a trickle charger on her boat in our garage.

This tends to make me nervous as there is only like 2 feet between the battery and the plastic gas tank. Since the batteries terminals are bolted on and the battery case is strapped down it would be a pain to keep taking it in and out. Same for the 6.5 gal gas tank, it's full, on a cable lock and strapped down and it's hose is connected to the OB.

I'm wondering if an onboard charger would make sense. Seems to me it would be safer to just plug in a dongle from an onboard charger.

We are using some cheap $6 Harbor Freight trickle China made chargers now, but a spark off one could ignite the fumes from our tanks especially since we keep the boats covered as the garage has drips.

I know each OB has it's own charging system but it's a slow charge unless you're running full out.

What are others using as a reasonable solution to keeping their batteries topped off without having to yank the batteries or the plastic gas tanks?

Thx

 

[Philster]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

I find that when batteries sit, nothing bad happens, unless it a verrrry long time. A month between outings this time of year doesn't mean a battery needs to be charged.

So... why are we charging the battery?

 

[Expidia]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

I find that when batteries sit, nothing bad happens, unless it a verrrry long time. A month between outings this time of year doesn't mean a battery needs to be charged.

So... why are we charging the battery?

Because I noticed the one in my boat was down a good deal after a month. It was slow to crank affter I had the rig out on March 15 when we it was 78 degrees that day. It was a new battery last year and was kept on a tricle charger in the basement. I put a regular charger on it to top it off when I installed it in the boat end of Feb. I've used the rig 2 other times this year. Last two times which were close together had no issues.

Her battery because she is moving at months end to another house is idle now for like 2 months now. I suppose I'll just pull her battery out because she probably wont use it for another month or two.

Just wondering if there was something available to build into our rigs that won't cost hundreds. Maybe like $50 or so!
Solar chargers no good as the boats are kept in the garage.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

On board chargers are a little more than fifty bucks, but not too much more. That's what I have and I love it. Easy to install and easy to use.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

Because I noticed the one in my boat was down a good deal after a month.

That might have to do with your daughter's $6 china charger than anything else.

 

[Philster]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

Down after a month? Something is drawing current and shouldn't be or the battery is not holding up or near its capacity.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

I think Guest makes a fairly inexpensive 5 amp onboard charger that would work really well for you. I had one several years ago and had a situation similar to yours. It worked fine for me.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

I find that when batteries sit, nothing bad happens, unless it a verrrry long time. A month between outings this time of year doesn't mean a battery needs to be charged.

So... why are we charging the battery?

A lead acid battery will self discharge between 2% and 10% per week depending on the temperature. Discharged batteries suffer from sulfation which lowers their capacity. That is why you always want them completely charged.

 

[Philster]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

A proper battery should have sufficient capacity to sit a month or two. The whole battery issue stands to go the way of an oil thread.

Trickle charge away. One more thing that some must do, while others never see a need. Should I find a need to trickle charge my batteries, or should the trickle-charging boater find a way to not pour even more maintenance into their barge?

I've got a li'l boat, and it sits for six month stretches without an issue. My bigger boats always had a similar experience.

Ain't anecdotal evidence great?

 

[Expidia]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

Thx for the replies. Nothing is running in the background as I use a Perco shut off switch to prevent that. I do see a decent drop after a few weeks as its been cold here at night. Frost warning tonight too.

I like the Guest charger idea as I've been using a portable Black and Decker charger past 5 years and until it warms up The fan is very noisy so I know it's on it's way out.

I have a second battery in the forward locker for the trolling motor and use the portable charger on it after a fishing trip.
I've rarely had to top off the starting battery because the OB does that. But a month of sitting draws it down. I sometimes top it off becasue I play the stereo a lot while lounging around in a bay but watch the meter in the dash when it get down to half a charge I shut the stereo down. I replaced the starter battery last year with a combo deep cycle since the stereo draws it down often.

I checked out the Guest 2611 and it's around $100. It does fit the bill for my needs as it will replace the portable charger too. This Guest model charges two batteries and has a trickle maintaining ability.

When I first bought the boat new I ran heavier wires from the troller battery up front down the Gunnel to a new Marinco outlet recepticle so I could charge the trolling battery from the back of the rig without having to open the front battery locker. This outlet is right next to the starter battery in the rear locker so I can hook up both batteries to a Guest Charger and there is room to mount it in this same locker.

My only reservation now is the 2611 weighs 6 lbs and on a 15 foot boat I'm trying to keep the accessory weight down.
I'll Google around now that I know an onboard charger is right for my situation. I might have to spend more on a charger if a more expensive unit is lighter in weight.

Thank for all the responses. After I had read the responses I realized that many times after I get back to a hotel after a day on the water I had to charge both batteries (one at a time since I only have one BD charger) I had just thought onboard chargers were for those tournament type bass rigs with like 3 or 4 batteries that had to be all charged up in a few hours. I thought they were around $300-400.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

A proper battery should have sufficient capacity to sit a month or two.

It will and it will start your boat still. Just way better for the battery to stay fully charged if you can do it. Sulfation of the battery is a real phenomenon and will lessen the capacity of your battery. Its also why you want to recharge a deep discharge battery as soon as possible after it has been discharged.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/sulfation_and_how_to_prevent_it

I have a Guest smart charger on my boat in the driveway 24/7.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

A proper battery should have sufficient capacity to sit a month or two. The whole battery issue stands to go the way of an oil thread.

Trickle charge away. One more thing that some must do, while others never see a need. Should I find a need to trickle charge my batteries, or should the trickle-charging boater find a way to not pour even more maintenance into their barge?

I've got a li'l boat, and it sits for six month stretches without an issue. My bigger boats always had a similar experience.

Ain't anecdotal evidence great?

I used to think the same way. after all I can leave my car in an airport lot in the dead of a freezing winter for two weeks or more and I jump in and it starts right up. A bigger boat or an inboard has a real alternator same as a car.

Guess it depends on how you use your rig. I tend to draw the starter battery down often using the stereo and even if I'm going back to the launch with my 40 Merc at full speed its usually not long enough to bring it back to full. And I'm not usually that far away from the dock as I tend to work my way back towards the launch as it gets dark. I'm finding my Merc I think does not have a strong enough charging circuit to bring the battery up back to full for my next outing. Especially early in the season and the weather forces me to leave the boat idle for a month or it's cold like this past week here.

If I have to spring for two charging systems This is why I was trying to keep the cost down. My Daughters rig does not have a radio. But she does not use hers as often as I use mine. She also has a motorized Canoe and uses that several times a week as she trolls for trout with it. I'd like to get her some type of inexpensive onboard charger too for her 14 foot aluminum so she can leave it plugged in as her rig will be next to her house.

 

[Dreg]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

I just bought a MinnKota onboard dual bank charger, around $115 here at the local do-it-all farm type store. Each bank only charges at 5 amps when running full, and less when not bulk charging, so it takes a while to charge. 24 hrs if they're drained good. But when left on, it automatically goes into a maintenance state, whereby it doesn't charge at all unless the batt voltage drops to a certain level, then it kicks back into maintenance trickle charge mode again. I like it that it doesn't waste electricity that way, and is billed as a "smart" charger, prolonging battery life by charging according to temperature. (Has built in thermostats for each battery too)

Only thing I didn't like, that I didn't find out until I got it home and read the instructions, is that you have to isolate the mounting bolts if you're mounting it on a tinny, for the current to not corrode the boat. Not sure how drastic the effect would be, but figured I'd follow their advice anyway.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

It will and it will start your boat still. Just way better for the battery to stay fully charged if you can do it. Sulfation of the battery is a real phenomenon and will lessen the capacity of your battery. Its also why you want to recharge a deep discharge battery as soon as possible after it has been discharged.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/sulfation_and_how_to_prevent_it

I have a Guest smart charger on my boat in the driveway 24/7.

Thanks Bruce. Thats one of the reason I replaced the starter with a combo starter/deep cycle. I was drawing the starter battery down too often playing the radio for like 4 hours while we lounged around. I knew it was not good for it's life.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

I use this "smart" charger. It will turn off once the battery is charged. Comes with a quick disconnect so it's easy to hook and unhook.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...X&ei=taaYT6vlNYns2gW128ibBw&ved=0CIMBEPMCMAA#

 

[Expidia]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

Thx. I've used a similar one to that for the past 5 years. I think I'm moving towards the onboard style. I need a model that maintains instead of shutting off anyway.

Just came across the Noco Genius. For $132 or $30 more over the Guest it's a lot smaller and it's 2 lbs lighter.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

The onboard charger sounds right for your use. I would point out however that in your first post you were concerned with sparks when charging.
The smart thing to do, correct me if you already know this, is to connect your charger to the battery while it is unplugged from the wall. Also keep the charger out of the boat and run the cables in over the side. Ventilate it while charging. That is, keep the cover open and the plug out during charging. These are simple steps that help keep you safer, can't hurt to play the safety card.

 

[Philster]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

It will and it will start your boat still. Just way better for the battery to stay fully charged if you can do it. Sulfation of the battery is a real phenomenon and will lessen the capacity of your battery. Its also why you want to recharge a deep discharge battery as soon as possible after it has been discharged.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/sulfation_and_how_to_prevent_it

I have a Guest smart charger on my boat in the driveway 24/7.

Unless you operate the battery in an exact state of ideal conditions for it, from perfect discharge and charging, exact/proper storage and an ideal recharge to the ideal capacity from a very good charger, you are basically using something that isn't perfect. Like tires or brakes on a car, or even fresh oil, it becomes a issue of understanding that your battery is very unlikely to be perfect.

The OP is using a cheap Harbor Freight charger and is concerned about recharging risks with a covered boat, fumes and a tank awfully close to the battery. All this for one month layups? Maybe two? This is why I eluded to the oil discussion. I think all this is akin to 3000 mile oil changes.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

Thx NH, this is another reason for me to go with an onboard charger certain models I read are designed to even sit next to a tank since when connected there are no sparks. I have to admit, there have been times that I have been lazy and disconnected while the charger was plugged in even though I know better. Then after I did it I realized it was a no no So I don't want especially my Daughter or one of her friends to create any sparks off the terminals with a portable or a trickle charger.

Here is a quote from another boating site which reviewed many different brands, so I might have to pay up for a sparkproof model for this feature:
Chargers rated as waterproof, sparkproof and ignition-protected can even be mounted in the battery compartment or in the bilge area with the boat’s fuel tank. Chargers generate heat, and it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions concerning ventilation. Temperature also dictates how fast a battery can absorb charging current. Many chargers are temperature-compensated to adjust the charging rate as necessary.

 

[Philster]

Re: Using a trickle charger in boat?

If you get a very good charger (such as the one mentioned) and it pretty much takes away any grief and is a snap to use, then the case is good to go for it.

You're taking away all the stress and aggravation associated with other setups. In that case, it makes a lot more sense. Would hate to see someone absorb risk and aggravation (dealing with covers, tanks, etc, over one-month layups in pursuit of a perfect battery).