Charging a deep cycle

[Machino]

Tried a search but couldn't ind an answer to my question. Is charging a 12V deep cycle from and outboard starter/alternator possible, or harmful.

Thanks
Gary

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Can you clearify your question a little?
You cant charge it from a starter of any kind. And altho im sure i have not seen every OB on the marker, the ones i have seen (my 74 Johnny mostly) dont have an alternator. they have a rectifier that provides a charge. (some one correct me if thats wrong)
Letting us know the make and model of the motor will be a big plus.
Also dont try to charge more than one batt at a time and it wont charge it from dead. They only top them off after starting.

 

[halas]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Charging it from the outboard is OK.

 

[Machino]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Sorry, I should have stated earlier I have a 15hp Evinrude from the early 90's. I have heard the debate of whether or not to call it a alternator/starter/ now rectifier. It will be topped off as I usually have it on the charger before use. So it should be ok?

 

[madgadget]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Technically its a generator. The output is alternating current (AC), and must be converted to direct current (DC) to charge a battery, which is also DC.
This is where the rectifier comes in. This converts the AC current to DC current to then become useful to us and our DC systems on our boats.

Just to add I don't know of the charging capability of your engine but it would make a bit of a difference at least.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Sorry, I should have stated earlier I have a 15hp Evinrude from the early 90's. I have heard the debate of whether or not to call it a alternator/starter/ now rectifier. It will be topped off as I usually have it on the charger before use. So it should be ok?

Yes it should be ok. You should always charge the battery before you take it out for use on the boat to reduce the currrent draw required from the outboard. Sometimes trying to charge a large deep cycle that is nearly dead can overheat a rectifier by drawing too much current.

Outboards have all the components of an alternator but in seperate places. The stator generates AC when the flywheel spins and the rectifier transforms the AC to DC. A regulator regulates the DC output voltage to the correct rate for 12v batteries.

Your 15hp Evinrude has a rectifier/regulator combo. It's one piece but performs both functions.

 

[Machino]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Thanks guys

 

[jhebert]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

....Is charging a 12V deep cycle from [an] outboard...alternator possible, or harmful[?]

As far as charging a battery, the charger output from an outboard motor does not know anything about the intended purpose of the battery. That is, it does not know if it is a starting battery, a deep cycle battery, or combination. The charging current from an outboard motor is generally designed to charge flooded-cell lead-acid batteries. As long as you connect a flooded-cell lead acid battery to an outboard motor you should be fine.

 

[Machino]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Thats my problem JHerbert. The deep cycle is for the trolling motor and I don't have a flooded-cell lead acid battery. Generally I always just started via the pull cord, but with the new addition of an updated motor with a alternator/starter/rectifier/regulator/generator and I don't intend to get a battery to start it. I just would like to charge my deep cycle for the trolling motor (if it causes no harm). As I said before, it is charged every time it leaves the ramp. Thanks for the help.

 

[yellowbelly]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

its not gonna charge your batt. like you think...my 55hp rude puts out 6amp at wot which will take a long time to charge if anything it will help maintain the bat.

 

[jhebert]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Thats my problem....I don't have a flooded-cell lead acid battery.

The term "deep cycle" does not define the type of battery you have. If you do not have a flooded cell lead-acid battery, you will have to tell us what kind of battery you have. A "deep cycle battery" tells us nothing about the type battery. What kind of battery do you have?

 

[Machino]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Sorry guys, obviously my knowledge is rudimentary so I appreciate the responses. The battery in question in an Interstate Megatron. I tried to find out if it was a flooded cell lead acid battery but I really don?t know how to determine that. Again, I?m really only going to use it for a start here and there, and topping it off from hole to hole. Is it bad to start it with this battery, too. I don?t mind pulling the cord.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Sorry guys, obviously my knowledge is rudimentary so I appreciate the responses. The battery in question in an Interstate Megatron. I tried to find out if it was a flooded cell lead acid battery but I really don?t know how to determine that. Again, I?m really only going to use it for a start here and there, and topping it off from hole to hole. Is it bad to start it with this battery, too. I don?t mind pulling the cord.

Machino, there is nothing wrong with using a deep cycle battery for the purposes you described. It doesn't matter if it's flooded lead acid, Absorbed glass mat or gel cell. The amperage from your outboard rectifier will not damage it.

You can certainly use it to start your 15hp outboard.

Just remember to charge it fully before you head out for the day.

cheers!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Your outboard won't charge a deep discharge battery if its run down half way unless you plan on running your outboard at full RPM for over 5 hours. Sure it will help it along until you get back and put a plugin charger on it but don't count on it getting it fully charged.

 

[kaferhaus]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

its not gonna charge your batt. like you think...my 55hp rude puts out 6amp at wot which will take a long time to charge if anything it will help maintain the bat.

You positive that engine only puts out 6 amps? that seems awfully low to me. I have a 9.9 honda that puts out 6 amps.....

Most 40-50HP engines put out 15 amps minimum.

 

[Admin5]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Lastly (as if you haven't had your eyeballs twisted enough already) charge the battery when you are done for the day -- don't wait until you go out next time to charge it. Discharged batteries don't like that and will suffer an early death.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

Lastly (as if you haven't had your eyeballs twisted enough already) charge the battery when you are done for the day -- don't wait until you go out next time to charge it. Discharged batteries don't like that and will suffer an early death.

Just for what it's worth, JohnyRudes in the 40/50 range could be had with rope start or electric start. If they were rope start they had 6 amp systems and if they were electric start units they had 12 amp systems. It all depends on vintage of course.

 

[kaferhaus]

Re: Charging a deep cycle

My larger boats all have battery isolators on them. the engine charges the batteries as they need it. However on trolling motor batteries.... I still hook them up to a "float charger" when I'm done for the day. These are low output chargers that only charge the battery as it leaks down.

This type of charger is especially helpfull this time of year when the weather is cold as cold weather is not kind to batteries.