On-board Chargers?

[shoot2retrieve]

I have never purchased an on board charger and a little uneducated on application. I have 3 batteries on my boat that will need charged. 1 starting and 2 (24 volt system) trolling batteries. Would I just need a 2 bank charger to accomplish this or how does that work? I see that they are marked for application on 24 volt systems so would that also charge just the 12 volt starting battery? Just want to make sure I purchase the right one the first time. Looking in the $200.00 dollar range and under. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

[hondo]

If you have 3 batteries you want a 3 bank charger. It will take care of your batteries whether they are used in a 12 or 24 volt application.

I prefer Dual Pro Chargers, my opinion is that they are the best. The Dual Pro Recreation Series 3 bank charger is $210 (6 amps per bank). The Minn Kota 315 is also a really good battery charger and is a little cheaper, and 5 amps per bank. With either of those chargers you would connect it to all 3 batteries, then just plug it in and forget about it until the next time you were using your boat.

[walleyejohn]

Shoot2Retrieve,
You can search the board here and get quite a bit of information on battery chargers.
What I think you will find is a lot of opinions but two of the most talked about and reliable chargers out there are the Dual Pro's & the MinnKota Chargers.
Either one will serve you for years to come.
Once you have one you won't know how you lived without it.
As mentioned previously a 3 bank charger is the way to go.
Each battery will be charged individually by the charger regardless of what configuration you have it in.

Good Luck,
walleyejohn

[Albertan]

One bank per battery. Even though the two deep cycle batteries are hooked up in series to create a 24v system for your trolling motor, you will need to connect the charger to each of them as a separate 12 volt connection. Each "bank" is a positive and negative lead which is connected to one battery. HTH

[fisher-1]

1 bank for each battery and I would go at least 10amps per bank, 15amp per bank is best.

[boat nut]

I also have a 24V trolling motor, and a cranking battery. I have a Minn Kota MK220 (10 amps/bank) for the deep cycle batteries, and I let the alternator take care of the cranking battery. I also have an MK110P (10 amps) which I use on the cranking battery after tournaments, and in October when it starts to get cold here. Whatever you choose for your system, if you use wet lead acid batteries, check the electrolyte level at least monthly, and ensure they are topped up the the appropriate level. This will ensure they last their maximum lifetime.

[SJD]

I'll second Dual Pro's and 10 amp/bank