charging questions...

[krampuppy]

Okay I recently purchased a 1990 Javelin 366 fish and ski boat. Some one on another forum told me to "plug it in" to keep it charged. Does anyone know where you plug the boat in? The only plug in on the boat is for the trolling motor at the front.

I was thinking of buying a onboard battery charger for the dual batteries, but I don't have a clue of good brands etc. I don't even know how the onboard battery charger works. Do you plug the onboard charger in everytime you get back home and then it will make sure the batteries keep charged while you are on the water? Any help or clarification would help. Sorry if these are stupid questions, but this is my first boat. Thanks.

Matt

 

[Silvertip]

Re: charging questions...

If you don't have an on-board charger you can't charge the batteries unless you use a portable charger. Most folks with trolling motors will install an on-board charger which is nothing more than a battery charger that stays in the boat. It is mounted close to the batteries. If you have a 24 volt troller you have two batteries and if its a 12 volt version you have one. So the on-board charger you buy will need to have either one or two outputs (one for each battery). If you want to use the charger to keep the starting battery charged you will need a three output charger. Whenever the boat is at the dock you plug the charger into a 110 outlet. The chargers are called smart chargers and can be left plugged in indefinitely. Guest, Pro-Mariner, MinnKota, Cabelas, Bass Pro, and right here on iBoats can supply whatever you need. Each output should have at least 5 amp outputs and 6 or 10 would be even better but chargers with three 10 amp outputs do get spendy.

 

[krampuppy]

Re: charging questions...

My trolling motor is a 12V so I should just get a dual output charger. Right?

So just to be clear the onboard charger doesn't help keep the battery charged when you are on the water. Right? Thanks for all your help.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: charging questions...

An on board charger won't do anything for the batteries when you are on the water (unless you have a real long extension cord). . You actually only need a single output charger because the starting battery is charged by the engine. However, many folks do use a two bank (one for the troller and one for the starting battery). That's a matter of choice. If the engine seems to keep that battery charged ok, there is no need for a two bank.