Battery charging problems

[Schnauzer]

Hello,

I am in the third year of charging my trolling motor batteries with an on board charger. This task has become so routine, I barely look now days when I plug it in.

I had charged my batteries several weeks ago and had been doing all trolling with the kicker between then and now so I hadn't used the electric in a while. I pulled out the electric and it ran out of juice after only a couple hours of use. I didn't panic, I figured I just hadn't used it for a while and a fresh charge would take care of things.

When I went to charge the batteries, I noticed something that wasn't right on my charger. It has a series of red lights followed by a green light that comes on when the batteries are fully charged. When I plugged it in, one bank looked normal but the other bank had NO lights on. I checked the connections quickly and everything seemed fine. I didn't have time to look further because this was later last night and I headed to bed. The charger itself carries a "Lund" brand name - it is obviously made by one of the regular battery charger companies and sports the Lund name when installed in new boats.

Obviously, one battery isn't charging and this condition existed when I last charged them (didn't notice because I just plugged it in and unplugged it the next day)- that's why I ran out of juice so soon.

Is this a problem with the battery, or is it with the charger? I hope I won't be in the market for a new charger this soon.

[wa_walleye]

It sounds like a Dual Pro. Here is the person that has taken EXCELLENT care of me. Neil Powers neil@dualpro.com. Get serial number and find when you purchased. Mine has three year warrany. Hope this helps, wa_walleye

[Schnauzer]

I had the time to check it out last night. It is a Dual Pro. After going through all the connections and re-doing them. Everything works now and I have two fully charged batteries. All is good.

Thanks for the input. That would have been my next step thanks to the e-mail address you provided.

[LundOwner]

My Dual Pro right bank tanked on me after 20 days of use. My dealer is exchanging it under warranty.

I found a 3-bank Minnkota charger on closeout at Gander which I picked up for $230 and was going to install myself until my dealer came through for me. While I was at Gander considering buying the Minnkota, the sales clerk told me his Dual Pro took a dive the same way mine did.

On the other hand, I have 2 buddies that work at another boat dealership (where I would have bought my boat except for the fact they do not sell Lunds) and both of them said they have personally used Dual Pros for years without problems. Go figure.

[Harry]

I just had the exact same experience with my battery charger only it appears the charger was bad. On my 1900 Pro-V, The charger manufacturer is Dual Pro Charger - Charging Systems in Nashville, TN. I was a several months out of the 3 year warranty but they pro-rated a new charger and shipped one to me real quick. The new one is now 15 amps per bank instead of 10.