on board battery charges

[rob92761]

Starting to rig a new boat and looking for opinions on 2 bank 10 amps per bank charger vs 2 bank 5 amps per bank. Couple of things I all ready know is that the 10 amp will charge faster and the slower you charge batteries the better. Just curious what everyone uses

[CI_Guy]

I attended a seminar at the Sportsman's Show last spring put on by Minnkota & Interstate Batteries. The new smart chargers have made them do a complete 180 degree turn on charging batteries slowly. The quicker the battery is charged without generating excessive heat the better it is for the battery. They recommended 15amps per bank with a smart charger that would charge the battery in stages. Any higher and it would most likely generate to much heat.
I have a 10amp per bank charger and when fishing 13 hour days in Canada it will recharge the batteries in the 9 to 10 hours it is plugged in. With a 5amp per bank charger I think we would be running out of juice out on the water by the 3rd day. We fish the windy side of islands so the trolling motor is running on a high setting most of the time.

[pale ryder]

Agreed, get 10 or 15 amp per bank chargers.

[offthehook67]

I was told by my interstate dealer that a 5 amp will help with the life and longevity of my DC batteries. So, I have been running a MK 5 amp per bank. I can run my batteries down during a days use, plug them in in the evening and they are fully charged come sunrise.

Maybe he told me this without knowing the advent of these "smart chargers"

FWIW my batteries are 5 years old and need to be replaced. Not sure if lasting 5 years is good for DC batteries running either a Vantage or a bow mount but I think they are about toast.

[pale ryder]

Originally Posted by offthehook67

I was told by my interstate dealer that a 5 amp will help with the life and longevity of my DC batteries. So, I have been running a MK 5 amp per bank. I can run my batteries down during a days use, plug them in in the evening and they are fully charged come sunrise.

Maybe he told me this without knowing the advent of these "smart chargers"

FWIW my batteries are 5 years old and need to be replaced. Not sure if lasting 5 years is good for DC batteries running either a Vantage or a bow mount but I think they are about toast.

5 years is about average.
I would bet that there is no noticeable difference in battery life span between those charged at 10 vs 5 amps.