on board battery charger

TNDiver · December 27, 2018, 03:57:21 PM

Need advice for an on board battery charger. I have 3 batteries, one in the back and two up front. I don't want to have to remove them each time to charge them. What do I look for in a charger? Any recommendations?

BarryFL · December 27, 2018, 04:08:19 PM

Minn Kota Precision 3 bank. You can extend cable from one bank to reach the third battery. They sell an extension cable. The come in 6, 10 and 15amp models. More apps cost more. The only difference is how long it takes to charge. Best prices I've seen are on Amazon. $188 for the 6 amp.

~Barry~

Bud Kennedy · December 27, 2018, 04:13:01 PM

There are plenty of multi bank chargers available on the market. I see the issue here is that most of us have no idea about space available in your particular model of boat. I would suggest that you have a consult with your local boat dealer to get some of their recommendations. It is going to be all about the space available and the distance between the batteries. As I understand you config your crank battery is a good distance from the trolling batteries. Maybe two chargers would work better but the obvious desire would be for a three bank charger if you have the space for one and the distance to your crank batter for the other. There really are a bunch of choices that will be all about your layout. This is a simple decision for a bass boat since all the batteries are in close proximity to each other and located in the read bilge area. I don't think this however is what you have. If you have any pics and measurements to share some guidance could be offered.

TNDiver · December 27, 2018, 04:21:53 PM

Its a 20' deck boat so there is plenty of space below and under seats, etc. It is 10 feet between the front and back batteries and the two front batteries are about 4 foot apart. I would be running lights (including docking lights), live well, TM, fish finder, off the batteries. pretty standard I think.

WTodd · December 27, 2018, 04:26:54 PM

I 2nd Barry's recommendation

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TNDiver · December 27, 2018, 04:49:37 PM

I guess the next question is what amp would I buy? I think all are 31 batteries.

WTodd · December 27, 2018, 04:53:23 PM

The 2 bank I had in my old boat was the 10 amp; I'm pretty sure those batteries were 27s

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Princeton_Man · December 27, 2018, 05:17:02 PM

NOCO Gen3 30A three bank charger. Best charger I've ever owned. Fast and American made.

TNDiver · December 27, 2018, 06:59:22 PM

Looking on the Minn Kota website and it looks like the 6 Amp would work. Says it would take 10-12 hours to charge, which should be fine for my uses.

Thanks for all the input.

WTodd · December 27, 2018, 07:00:20 PM

Amazon has good prices on the MKs. The 6 should be fine but make sure to install it on a piece of Starboard

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Burbarry · December 27, 2018, 08:45:19 PM

You could run a two bank charger and single bank onboard charger. Run a extension cord that always stays in place then just plug both chargers in when parking. I have a two bank but going to upgrade to a 3 bank since all my batteries are in back close to each other. I may even add a 4th battery and just buy a second charger. Reason for 4th battery would be just to run the radio off since I fish alone a lot.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oldfart9999 · December 28, 2018, 07:40:35 AM

The highest amp battery you can buy would be best. If your trolling motor batteries are up front and the cranking battery in the stern you can, with at Least Minn Kota chargers buy extensions for the long run as Barry said, worth thinking about, they work on the MK Precision and the Digital MKs
Rodney

BarryFL · December 28, 2018, 03:37:56 PM

One last thing. Are your batteries wet cell or AGM? If they're wet cell always leave the compartment lid open when charging. Wet cells give off gas when the charger heats up the battery acid.

~Barry~

Ron Fogelson · January 20, 2019, 07:23:09 AM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on December 27, 2018, 05:17:02 PM
NOCO Gen3 30A three bank charger. Best charger I've ever owned. Fast and American made.

Great charger. but I think everyone is missing the 10 ft distance between the batteries and I cant recommend lengthening one or two sets of charging wires "based on mounting location" If it were my bout I'd run a single charger and a two bank, let us know what and how you end up doing.

WTodd · January 20, 2019, 07:49:50 AM

I added a 2nd charger when I added a "backup" cranking battery. Instead of replacing an almost new NOCO 3 bank with a 4 bank I just added a single MK Precision Charger.....a lot less expensive. I plug both chargers into a heavy duty triple adapter (couldn't find double) and then I use just 1 extension cord to charge all 4 batteries.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TNDiver · January 21, 2019, 09:14:11 AM

Ron, I checked on your advice with NOCO and this is the response:
Thank you for contacting NOCO support. On any of our GEN On-Board chargers the DC leads can be extended up to an additional 10' (the leads are 6.3 ft originally) without modifying or moving the fuse. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture extension cables for the GEN chargers at this time and we cannot provide information on extending the cables so you will have to research the appropriate cable and connections yourself. The fuse must remain in place and the additional length must be added after the fuse. No AC modifications are allowed whatsoever. The warranty will remain intact as long as these guidelines are followed. An additional fuse may be added closer to the battery for additional safety. If you have additional questions please let me know.

My dad is an electrician, so I will get his advice, because I would rather support a company where the item is made in America.

mygreenihc · January 22, 2019, 10:28:38 AM

I agree with Princeton man and Ron Fogleson, NOCO wouldbe my first choice.

Brad

Ron Fogelson · January 27, 2019, 10:48:29 AM

Quote from: TNDiver on January 21, 2019, 09:14:11 AM
Ron, I checked on your advice with NOCO and this is the response:
Thank you for contacting NOCO support. On any of our GEN On-Board chargers the DC leads can be extended up to an additional 10' (the leads are 6.3 ft originally) without modifying or moving the fuse. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture extension cables for the GEN chargers at this time and we cannot provide information on extending the cables so you will have to research the appropriate cable and connections yourself. The fuse must remain in place and the additional length must be added after the fuse. No AC modifications are allowed whatsoever. The warranty will remain intact as long as these guidelines are followed. An additional fuse may be added closer to the battery for additional safety. If you have additional questions please let me know.

Sooooo they said sure you can as long as you follow the guidelines but we cant offer the specifics at this time. You Dad will know but the wire may or may not need to be a different size due to extending the length of the carrying load of the charge, but you cant change the wire or the fuse.

Oldfart9999 · January 28, 2019, 06:19:20 AM

I would go with the MK, they sell the extension cables and a warranty.
Rodney

BarryFL · January 28, 2019, 12:19:15 PM

Quote from: Oldfart9999 on January 28, 2019, 06:19:20 AM
I would go with the MK, they sell the extension cables and a warranty.
Rodney

Yep and the extension comes with needed connectors, heat shrink and fuse. I think the extension I bought was originally was 15ft.

~Barry~

TNDiver · June 22, 2019, 10:19:26 AM

just an update, I went with the NOCO 4 AMP, says 10 -12 hours of charging and reality is that is good for what we will be using it for. I bought a two bank for the front and a 1 for the back. I really don't see an instance where I will drain the battery for a full day. I also bought the external plugs, thinking it would be easier to plug in and then remembered Barry's advice to leave the seat off so the batteries can vent. Oh well. I installed the one because I actually have spot under one seat for a cooler, so it worked well in that spot. The other, I ran the plug in a compartment I have up front for fishing lure boxes. Then charged the batteries and realized my main one was from 2013 and another is 2011! Not sure on the other, so I replaced the main one. The two up front still hold a charge so I will be replacing those soon! Thanks everyone for the advice. It worked well.

The only problem I found is when I forget to plug them in! Wife got mad at me for that one