Installing an On-Board Charger: How hard is it?

[DaCoder]

I stopped at a boat dealer and looked at having a Guest On-Board charger installed (Lund 1750 Tyee GS). He only carries the 2-Bank 10-Amp type charger, and he said he doesn't sell the 3-Bank types because it's not necessary to have the cranking battery hooked up to the on-board charger. So if I don't have to run the wires through difficult places to get to the cranking battery and I just connect the 24 volt system up front, how hard is to install one of these? Or is it worth the 1 hour @ $55 per hour to have the dealer install it?

Thanks for the help :D
Dave.

[W1]

I would say it's simple, the only thing I had to buy was connectors.

[iamwalleye1]

I would go with the 3 bank , then you would never have any problems with you cranking battery. It is a easy install I would do it myself. $55.00 per hour is real cheap now days. My dealer said $70.00 per hour!

[Hookmaster]

They are very easy to mount. I think the Guest Chargers have some mounting limitations so read the instructions. Basically, find the place to mount it, drill the holes and screw or bolt it down. Then hook up the leads to the batteries. After you've done it, you'll be glad you didn't have the dealer do it.

[Winner Z880]

It is a very simple job. Sometimes the hard part can be getting your body into a position where you can reach the spot you want to place the charger (drilling the holes for screws etc.) I put the one in that you described myself.

[Eyez]

I guess I would want my cranking battery on my charger also, so I'd get the 3 bank too. Doesn't hurt anything, and if you ever go to a 36 volt system or add another battery for something, you're covered.

The hardest part about installing the charger is running the wires for the batteries. Find a good, out of the way place to mount the charger where it can get decent airflow so that it doesn't overheat, screw it in place, and run your wires to the battery posts.


Eyez

[Dave in Mpls]

No problem at all installing. As others have stated, figure out where you want to mount the charger, drill the holes (after looking ten to fifteen times to be sure you aren't gonna drill through existing wires, pumps, livewells, drain hoses, etc) and mount with the appropriate SS hardware. If possible, mount the charger in a location where you can get at the back side of the mounting surface. This allows you to use bolts, washers, and nylocks. If not possible, you can simply use SS screws. If you do not need to extend the leads on the charger, you should not need to do any crimping, soldering, etc. Do not cut the leads if they are too long, simply coil the extra wire in an out of the way area and put a tie strap around it. Now, simply hook the + and - leads from each bank to the corresponding batteries.

Your dealer has never installed a 36V trolling motor???

Regards

[Honest John]

I, too, suggest giving very strong consideration to getting a 3-bank charger. Part of the beauty of the on-board charger is that by just plugging it in, you are taking care of ALL your batteries. Also, as others have said, a 3-bank gives you flexibility to someday go to a 36 volt system.

Now, if you decide to go with a 3-bank charger, there seem to be several problems. Will your dealer install somebody else's charger (i.e. not purchased from the dealer) for the same price? I kind of doubt it, but doing it yourself is pretty good option.

It is likely that you will have to extend one set of leads in order to reach your cranking battery. That project is really pretty simple. Just get a kit and follow the instructions, or you can buy what you need and save a couple bucks.

The next thing is that you will likely have to fish wires from the charger back to the cranking battery. That may not be as difficult as it sounds. Take a look at where you would go with the wires.

This whole install is a relatively easy project, but like so many projects there are apt to be some hurdles to get over or around. Still, on the whole, I think there is little chance of any major difficulties with this project.

John

[Jim Ordway]

Make sure the charger/brand you choose has enough cable to get to the batteries from your desired mounting location. Some chargers are a little stingy with the cable. If you are running any accesories off you starting battery, go with the 3 bank.
Good luck,

[LakeRat]

Make sure your longest run goes to the battery likely to need the least amount of charging on a daily basis. Usually the cranking battery. Go with the three bank.