New boater.. question with charging battery while out on the water

speedy88

Recruit
Joined
Apr 11, 2016
Messages
3
Hey everyone, just recently bought a 16' Dixie Bowrider. Nothing crazy but nice small starter boat. Has a 70hp evinrude outboard motor. Nothing fancy on the boat. Was looking to install a radio and 2 speakers... but my main question/concern is. How do you charge the battery since boat will be out on the water at all times. I have a mooring which boat will be anchored to with no source of electric.
I've never had a boat before so not sure how deep cycle batteries operate. I'm into cars so have the mentality that battery will die after a few hours.
Any help will be appreciated
 

alldodge

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Mar 8, 2009
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43,319
how deep cycle batteries operate

Howdy speedy

Tells us a bit more about your setup. You mention a deep cycle battery, do you have more then one battery, and if so is it used with a trolling motor? Also how much does the motor run between stop and starts

Without electric power the only way to charge a battery is solar or with a generator. A solar charge can output enough to maintain a charge or fully charge a battery up if a big enough one is used. Your motor should be able to charge your start battery, so long as it has enough time to run.
 

speedy88

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Apr 11, 2016
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3
Hi Alldodge, Currently only have one battery but do have plans of putting a second battery just incase.
I have not used the boat yet since i am redoing the interior pieces.

So the outboard motor has some sort of alternator to recharge the battery?
My concern is going out and getting stuck in the middle of the water because the battery died
 

alldodge

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Yes a 70HP has a built in charger, only issue is these chargers will keep the starter battery charged if working. That said, they need more time to charge, their not as high output as a cars alternator. So it all depends on how long the motor runs in comparison to how much juice was used.

Is your motor a 2 or 4 stroke and what year?
 

fhhuber

Lieutenant
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Jun 19, 2014
Messages
1,365
boat that stays tied up has just a few options for battery maintenance:

Operate the boat enough that the engine's charging system keeps the battery up.

Shore connection for a float charger

Solar panel(s)

Wind generator.

Carry the battery home and put it on a float charger when not in use.
(I hate this one... because you don't have power for the float operated bilge pump)

*************

Some are more practical than others. It depends on your mooring situation and the type of boat as to which will be your best choice (if you don't operate the boat often enough for that to be the solution)
 

LSU

Cadet
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Mar 8, 2016
Messages
24
Pull cord is a good back up.

Get a booster pack, charge it and carry it with you.
 

SkaterRace

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Mar 20, 2016
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831
A good boster pack is you best option. Not sure I would want to talk a 70 HP with a pull cord.
 

Captain Caveman

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Mar 1, 2005
Messages
1,005
Deep cycle batteries last longer when they are recharged after use.

Marine starting batteries are similar to the one in your car. As others have said, you need to get some nice cruises in every so often to keep the battery charged. If you don't have a way of even running a long extension cord down to your boat, then I would plan to pull the 2nd accessory battery and charge it on shore.
 

keith2k455

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 23, 2012
Messages
558
Harbor freight has a decent jump pack for around $30, depending on when the coupons come out. They should last you 2 years easily. It's great piece of mind.
 

NicoPags

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 24, 2014
Messages
217
Coleman makes a nice solar battery maintainer/trickle charger for about 15 bucks. I installed 2 on my boat and it works wonders.
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,620
Coleman makes a nice solar battery maintainer/trickle charger for about 15 bucks. I installed 2 on my boat and it works wonders.

Those things are only made to keep a fully charged battery charged. They will not bring up a discharged battery.
 
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