Battery Chargers

[bob1]

Of those of you that have them, do the on-board chargers that charge your trolling motor batteries with the big motor, work very well?

How fast do they work, etc?

I do not have a kicker motor yet and would like to be able to stay out on the lake longer while trolling.

Thanks, Bob

[lundeepv]

I have a Guest Pro 3 bank 15 amp. After a long day on the water it does not take very long to charge at all, usually 4-6 hours. After some research I decided to go with the 15 amp/bank rather than a 6 amp or 10 amp. The time saved was well worth the extra $$.

[bob1]

lundeepv, I have a Dual Pro 3 bank 45 amp charger ( 15 per bank ) already.

I am talking about the box that reroutes the power from the alternator on the big motor to the trolling motor batteries when the starting battery is fully charged.

Bob

[lundeepv]

Ooooops, sorry. Didn't pay for that option!!!!!

[JDP]

I have a system installed by Jim Wentworth near Brainerd,MN.
I can charge one deep cycle on the fly, really only noticeable for long runs (30mins+) IMHO.

JDP

[bob1]

JDP, which system do you have?

[DW]

It sounds like you are asking about a combiner. A combiner on a boat is essentially a switch between the starting battery and a house or trolling motor. When the engine is off, the switch is open. When the engine is on, and the starting battery is fully charged, the combiner switch is closed. When this happens the full charge of the alternator goes to the trolling battery.

Combiners work really well. I can't imagine why everyone doesn't install one if they have multiple batteries on a boat. They are relatively cheap, and easy to install. Once installed, you can forget about them. There are no switches to adjust, and no way to make a mistake. They are idiot proof! I have never had my trolling or starting battery discharge.

With a combiner, an inexpensive, single bank on-board or portable charger will charge multiple batteries.

I bought mine at yandina.com

[San Chan]

We have one of these on my inlaw's Fisherman using a 115HP. I don't know if the HP plays a part on this but we have to run long before seeing the difference. Its 10AMPs per bank so if I ran it for 15 mins to the next spot is just like plugging in my onboard for 15mins, that will not bring me far. We fish lakes that are 25Miles end to end MAX, so if we can redo this again, we will not carry that 6.5lbs.


http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/battery_chargers/dc_alternator_chargers/mk2dc_2_bank.aspx

[Seedtree]

Unless your in the ocean, you'll run out of fetch to charge up your deep cycles.