I need a 3 bank charger...Which one do you recommend? WHY?

Started by bassadict69, August 08, 2010, 02:00:23 PM

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bassadict69

I think my crappy Bass Pro XPS charger completely crapped out! I have had nothing but bad luck from the XPS chargers.

I will be buying a new 3 bank...What do some of you recommend & WHY?

BassBUFF

The Pro Pak III that came on my Legend has been great! They've changed names to Genius though.

cd1

I don't have a ton of experience with them as I'm a new boat owner...but I just put in a Minn Kota 315 3-bank charger.  I've used it for a few weeks now and it's been great.  Slick installation, works flawlessly, easy to read LED lights let you know your charging status (charging or full are the only two indicators).  Couldn't be easier really.

The dealer I bought it from uses the same charger on his personal boats.  To me that was a good sign.

I'm really happy to have this thing...it was a real pain pulling batteries every time to get the charging started.

Creel Limit Zero

I'll drop another vote of confidence on the Minnkota chargers.  The 315 is good, very reasonably priced (on sale at BPS with a $30 rebate comes to $129 sometimes)  But if you plan on fishing hard two days in a row, I'd upgrade to the 330.  The 315 needs a good 12 hours to fully charge the deep cells since they only charge at 5 Amps a bank.  But the lights tell you whenever there is a bad connection, unlike the BPS brand. 

skeetercuts

Minn Kota is a great charger but have you checked out the Stay N Charge. The Stay N Charge charges your batteries from your main motor and/ or your truck when towing. Great product and great company. PM me if you need more info.
Michael Cutsinger  

StayNCharge Prostaff
El Grande Field Staff
B.A.S.S. Lifetime Member

bassadict69

Never had a need to be able to do that...My main concern is charging & maintaining that charge while the boat is sitting on the trailer in between trips.

skeetercuts

I have my Stay N Charge hooked up so I can charge all three of my batteries if needed in between trips with a simple car battery charger. I also have the ability to charge the batteries when towing and when running the main motor. The Stay N Charge is good for your batteries because it charges them immediately when you are done fishing. That makes the batteries last longer. There is also less weight in the boat. The Stay N Charge is about the size of an iPhone and ensures your batteries are charged correctly. Just info for you. Might be worth the investigation. I won't ramble on anymore.  I just enjoy not having to plug my boat in after my fishing trips.
Michael Cutsinger  

StayNCharge Prostaff
El Grande Field Staff
B.A.S.S. Lifetime Member

Goldstar225

After a lot of research I installed a Guest on-board charger on my boat.  I've been quite satisfied but I've only had it 4 months.

Plugger

Your right about the BPS ( It's a last a year and ruin your batteries charger ).  It's a piece of c--p.  The best I've used is DuaL Pro.  Charges quick and maintains the batteries.  I use the sportsman series ( 30 amps ) and I'm usually charged in 3 to 4 hours.  Just my 2 cents worth.  You usually get what you pay for.
Also the key to any charger is to keep the batteries full of water.

Plugger

bassadict69

Thanks for all the input...

Question about the Stay N Charge, Most trips to the lake are short trips, maybe 30 to 45 minutes tops with most trips being about 2 miles down the road. Is the only time my deep cycles would be charging gonna be when I am driving? Does not sound like enough time to charge fully...Also, how are the batteries maintained at full charge while being stored, such as those 2-3 weeks or even several months that my boat sits on the trailer not being used?

I may have just answered my own question...I see you use a simple charger between trips. That is what I am trying to get away from. It is turning into a major pain switching the single charger between batteries this week in between several trips. It is a 5 minute drive to the launch so I do not think that would be enough to charge.

skeetercuts

I have an on-board battery charger that is hooked only to my starting battery.  If it is going to be a month or two between fishing trips I can plug the on-board up and charge all three of my batteries with the Stay N Charge. I like the Stay N Charge because it charges the batteries like they are suppose to be charged. It will not overcharge or damage the batteries. The Stay N Charge charges the batteries for short periods and does not allow them to overheat which damages the batteries. Most people have the ability to remove their battery charger from their boat (Less weight) if they drive enough but I like to have a small single battery charger on board to use if the boat lays up for too long. The Stay N Charge is still there to charge all the batteries safely and with less weight to the boat. This allows my wife to carry more lures. Hope this info helps.
Michael Cutsinger  

StayNCharge Prostaff
El Grande Field Staff
B.A.S.S. Lifetime Member

brobutch

Is it a difficult wiring job to hook up to vehicle? Sounds like what I would like to have, just wondering how difficult the wiring would be.

Ron Fogelson

James Skeeter is right, only need one charger to maintain while in storage or if you are just making very short trips, it will hook only to the crank battery and than the stay in charge will monitory it, once it's full the stay in charge will transfer the power to the next set of batteries that need the power; so no more switching from battery to battery to get them all juiced up.  ~c~

bassadict69

Guess I may need to look into it a little further...

Thanks guys for helping with my stupidity for this product... ~c~

Ron Fogelson

Quote from: bassadict69 on August 23, 2010, 12:01:07 PM
Thanks guys for helping with my stupidity for this product... ~c~

LOL  lo  we all learn things on here James, nothing stupid about asking a question.

bassadict69

I have a 12v system...is the "All Charge" available for this? Looking at the website, it is saying it is for the 24/36 systems.

skeetercuts

I want to clarify a little bit more on Foggy's Statement. The Stay N Charge will monitor the battery's as charging but it charges a three bank in sequential order. When the Main battery is charged it alternates between the three batteries only charging them for a set amount of time (I think 2 mins). This allows the battery being charged to "rest" between charges to dissipate any heat buildup.  What this means to you and me is the battery last longer than charging one battery till complete. The other important fact to remember is the batteries are being charged (When hooked up to the tow vehicle) as soon as they are discharged which is also better for the batteries. I can remember how difficult it was for me to charge my batteries the day I got home from fishing. I have now learned that you should charge the batteries asap after use. This keeps them in top shape. Just more info for you. I don't believe you will regret getting the Stay N Charge. It is a worthwhile purchase in my opinion.   Sorry for rambling but this is important stuff.
Michael Cutsinger  

StayNCharge Prostaff
El Grande Field Staff
B.A.S.S. Lifetime Member

skeetercuts

Bassadict69:

What is the configuration for your batteries? Which battery ('s) are hooked up to what? If you don't mind tell me what color wires are going to what product. Thanks.
Michael Cutsinger  

StayNCharge Prostaff
El Grande Field Staff
B.A.S.S. Lifetime Member

bassadict69

I have one cranking battery...and 2 deep cycle batteries wired in parallel (neg to neg, pos to pos). I think both neg & pos from one battery go to the TM, then the other deep cycle battery is wired parallel to that one.




skeetercuts

It sounds like it is a 24V system for the trolling motors (Needs to be verified). If you have a pos from Battery A and the neg from Battery B going to your trolling motor then it is a 24V system and the Stay N Charge is designed for you.  Check the connections between the batteries. Mine is:

Battery A Pos goes to trolling motor
Battery A Neg goes to Pos of Battery B
Battery B Neg goes to trolling Motor

Hope this helps.

Michael Cutsinger  

StayNCharge Prostaff
El Grande Field Staff
B.A.S.S. Lifetime Member

bassadict69

No...I know for a fact it is a 12v system...It originally had 1 battery running the trolling motor, then I added an extra battery wired parallel for longer run time on the batteries. With one battery, the "too small" trolling motor would drain the single battery in about 5-6 hours of fishing. I added the 2nd battery so I could fish all day. I do know it is not a 24v system.

Ron Fogelson

Quote from: skeetercuts on August 24, 2010, 10:16:12 AM
I want to clarify a little bit more on Foggy's Statement. The Stay N Charge will monitor the battery's as charging but it charges a three bank in sequential order. When the Main battery is charged it alternates between the three batteries only charging them for a set amount of time (I think 2 mins). This allows the battery being charged to "rest" between charges to dissipate any heat buildup.  What this means to you and me is the battery last longer than charging one battery till complete. The other important fact to remember is the batteries are being charged (When hooked up to the tow vehicle) as soon as they are discharged which is also better for the batteries. I can remember how difficult it was for me to charge my batteries the day I got home from fishing. I have now learned that you should charge the batteries asap after use. This keeps them in top shape. Just more info for you. I don't believe you will regret getting the Stay N Charge. It is a worthwhile purchase in my opinion.   Sorry for rambling but this is important stuff.

Thanks for the extra help  ~c~
James if you want to take a look at one I have it' new in the box  :-*

HellaBass

Quote from: skeetercuts on August 11, 2010, 10:39:24 AM
Minn Kota is a great charger but have you checked out the Stay N Charge. The Stay N Charge charges your batteries from your main motor and/ or your truck when towing. Great product and great company. PM me if you need more info.

I'll 2nd this!

bassamatic

i have one made by guest and in alittle over four yrs so far i have never had any problem with it.it worked fine with two deep cycles and a 12volt motor and continues to work well after i went to a 24volt system.spend more time and hopefully less money and buy the right one for u whichever brand that may be.good luck
never pick a fight with an oldman,if he is to old to fight he will just shoot u

bassadict69

Looks like Bass Pro is putting the ProMariner 15am 3 bank on sale...I might just have to jump on that one!