On Board Charger

[Boss Hawg]

Is it best to just leave it plugged in to "Maintain" batteries or unplug after the green lights are on?
Does it hurt to start the motor while its plugged in?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: On Board Charger

What charger do you have? If it is a newer 3 stage charger you can leave it plugged indefinitely. You instruction should tell you this. You read them right? There is also no harm in strating while its plugged in.

 

[Boatist]

Re: On Board Charger

I think it depends on the charger you have.
Most on board chargers can be left plugged in all the time without dammage.
Starting with the charger plugged in I would not do.
It may not burn it up but I can tell you that a charger designed to supply 5 amps per bank may supply 30 amps while cranking.
It might survive that but why take a chance.
If the instruction say ok to do then go ahead otherwize I would stay on the safe side.

On thing I can tell you about batteries is I do not belive leaving them on charge all the time extends their life at all.
It may even shorten their life.
I have worked around computer since the 60's and many are on battery backup systems that are always on charge.
Today most battery back up systems supply power to the inverter all the time and are always on charge.
This is the best way to insure important computer stay up and on line.
From My experience I can tell you these batteries do not last any longer than a normal car battery.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: On Board Charger

Although my batteries are on a charger all the time they are also connected to a timer that turns on the chargers only 2 hours a day.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: On Board Charger

Sorry guys-
I have a new Minn Kota MK106 2 Bank
Could not find the answer to either question in the "manual" that came with it

 

[John_S]

Re: On Board Charger

I prefer to leave mine unplugged after bringing to a full charge. If need be, I plug in once a month and top off.

While it hasn't happened to me, a concern I have, is power surges, power-drops, lightnining spikes, etc. While household equipment may have some protection, not sure what boat electronics have. I feel it is better not to find out the hard way.

My boats are stored outside and do not like the idea of leaving the heavy-duty cords out for more than a day or two.

 

[arks]

Re: On Board Charger

Even those so-called 'smart chargers' aren't foolproof.
Short story: One of my dockmates had a smart charger on his 30' Sea Ray and kept it turned on all the time.
One Friday he arrived to find all 3 of his batteries cooked because the charger had failed to go into its 'maintenance' mode.
He had to replace all three as well as the charger. The ironic part of the story- this guy is a retired electrician!
He bought a new smart charger but only turns it on for a maximum of 48 hours.

Silvertip- I like your idea with the timer. I think I'll look into that for my charger. Thanks!

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: On Board Charger

Although my batteries are on a charger all the time they are also connected to a timer that turns on the chargers only 2 hours a day.

Sounds like a plan
I could set it to run at night & that would solve any worries about my ocasional starting it