Battery charging...

[1sicktige]

Hey guys, so this may be a funny post but it's something I really am curious about. I just was working on my boat and saw on my battery it says to recharge monthly when not in use. So I went online to look for a battery charging unit and there are so many different kinds I don't even know what they all mean. Was curious to know if someone on here can give me some info on what I will need to keep my two batteries charged. The more affordable way the better. I saw they have battery chargers and battery maintainers. What's the difference Other than the charger is 60+$ and the maintainers are like 15+$.

I have two Interstate batteries 24M-XHD. 1000MCA and 800 CCA

[chpthril]

A charger has enough amperage output to actually recharge a depleted battery, often called the desulphation stage. A maintainer or "trickle charger" will just supply enough to keep a charged battery charged. Huge difference and how the battery(s) will be used, will be the determining factor. For a boat, specifically one with a house bank, I suggest an actual charger. This is because those house banks tend to get depleted through the course of a typical trip, this needing an actual charger to replenish them. Alternators make for poor battery chargers, so I do not recommend relying them to do so, especially when you have a 10 minute ride back to the boat ramp or slip, after 6 hours of cranking the tunes at the sandbar.

1) decide whether you need a charger to recharge/maintain the batteries during the season and storage, or a maintainer to keep them topped off while in layup.
2) For a charger, know how many Amps you need
3) Will this be an on-board charger or portable charger that you connect when needed
4) charger needs to be adjustable for the type of battery you have, as in wet cell, AGM or gel.

Unless you are going to babysit the charging, i would pass on most any portable charger type device. Most are continuous from the time you plug them in till you disconnect them. I suggest some sort of multistage smart charger. They monitor the battery and scale back to an idle or float mode, when the battery nears full. this prevents over charging and boiling off. A good rule of thumb, is to have and charger with an output thats in the range of 10% of your total battery Ah. In your case, a 10A would be min, 12 would be better and 15+ would be best.

[ericinmich]

I would suggest a charger that typically is used for trolling motors on fishing boats. They are smart chargers and some charge 2 or more batteries independently. They will charger at a high rate then float (or shut off), then monitor and turn back on if/when needed. Plus they are designed for boat use...

[nmriordan]

We trailer our boat everywhere we go so when we're not at the lake for the week or over a weekend, the boat is in the garage at home. I have two 12v Super Smart Battery Tenders (~$45) that get hooked up whenever the boat is at home. Since they're compact, I also bring one to the lake whenever we go in case I run down the accessory/stereo battery and need to charge it up over night. They've worked well and keep the batteries topped off and there is no monitoring needed. If I ever do run the accessory battery down with extended stereo use it's always nice to come back down to the dock the next morning with the green light glowing on the charger/tender (indicating a full battery charge).

[1sicktige]

A charger has enough amperage output to actually recharge a depleted battery, often called the desulphation stage. A maintainer or "trickle charger" will just supply enough to keep a charged battery charged. Huge difference and how the battery(s) will be used, will be the determining factor. For a boat, specifically one with a house bank, I suggest an actual charger. This is because those house banks tend to get depleted through the course of a typical trip, this needing an actual charger to replenish them. Alternators make for poor battery chargers, so I do not recommend relying them to do so, especially when you have a 10 minute ride back to the boat ramp or slip, after 6 hours of cranking the tunes at the sandbar.

1) decide whether you need a charger to recharge/maintain the batteries during the season and storage, or a maintainer to keep them topped off while in layup.
2) For a charger, know how many Amps you need
3) Will this be an on-board charger or portable charger that you connect when needed
4) charger needs to be adjustable for the type of battery you have, as in wet cell, AGM or gel.

Unless you are going to babysit the charging, i would pass on most any portable charger type device. Most are continuous from the time you plug them in till you disconnect them. I suggest some sort of multistage smart charger. They monitor the battery and scale back to an idle or float mode, when the battery nears full. this prevents over charging and boiling off. A good rule of thumb, is to have and charger with an output thats in the range of 10% of your total battery Ah. In your case, a 10A would be min, 12 would be better and 15+ would be best.

So guessing this won't work for me found this in my dad's garage. image.jpg

[Z1Fan]

I can't see why it won't work

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[ericinmich]

That will charge fine but don't leave it on a battery very long after it is charged as it isn't a newer type of smart charger that would sense and stop charging on its own. You would need to unplug it when it gets to th 2 amp mode.

[chpthril]

Thats the type of charger you need to stand over. Even 2A is not a float or idle charge, its a continuous charge, so you need to monitor and disconnect when the batteries are replenished.

[IDBoating]

Another vote for the Battery Tender brand. Used them for years and batteries have remained very healthy.