On-board Chargers

[Beefer]

I keep my boat on a lift behind my house, and I keep the garboard drain plug out. I have a portable battery charger (not a jump box). Do I need an on-board charger? I haven't had a battery drainage issue, and I sort of think it would be a waste of $$$. What say ye, my iboats brethren?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: On-board Chargers

What makes you think you need an onboard charger? If you have a good battery and a good charging system on the engine, a portable charger for topping off the battery is fine.

If you install an onboard charger, then you need to have a way to power it. that entails putting in some type of 110v outlet. Also, the charger should not be installed in the same area as the battery due to offgassing of the battery causing corrosion in the charger. That means running wiring from one area to another for the hook up.

The question is...do you WANT an on-board charger? If there's no drainage issue, I don't think it's necessary.

 

[Beefer]

Re: On-board Chargers

That's what I figured. I sort of wanted one, but not out of necessity, out of 'a new thing for the boat' wanting. Looks like I get to buy a new rod instead!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: On-board Chargers

Minor point regarding chargers. Portable chargers typcially are not sealed units so they do present a hazard due the exposure to potentially explosive gases. On-board chargers are "sealed" units and can be installed in the battery compartment.

 

[swl]

Re: On-board Chargers

That "new thing for the boat" bug. I hear ya. Wifey has a vera bradley obsession, for me it's always something "new for the boat". Yep, get that new rod

 

[Fireman431]

Re: On-board Chargers

Minor point regarding chargers. Portable chargers typcially are not sealed units so they do present a hazard due the exposure to potentially explosive gases. On-board chargers are "sealed" units and can be installed in the battery compartment.

Thanks for the update. Perhaps they've gotten better with technology advances. The charger in my boat (not sure of the size) was new in 2001, and it has warnings throughout the manual of "Do not install in close proximity to batteries under charge. Corrosion to charger will result". Or...perhaps that's just my charger. It was original equipment through Carver.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: On-board Chargers

Every on-board charger i've ever owned has been a hermetically sealed unit. No metal to corrode.

 

[tal]

Re: On-board Chargers

I guess it depends on your situation. I have a 24 volt trolling motor and a starter battery on my boat. That's 3 batteries. I got tired of having swapping chargers on my batteries so I installed a minnkota 3 bank charger. One of the best things I've ever did to the boat. When I sold that boat it came out and is now in my new boat. One plug, all batteries get charged. I leave it plugged in all the time and my walmart batteries seem to last about 5 years doing this. Easy for charging when away from the house too. Just run an extension cord from a power source.

 

[j_martin]

Re: On-board Chargers

That "new thing for the boat" bug. I hear ya. Wifey has a vera bradley obsession, for me it's always something "new for the boat". Yep, get that new rod

Man I feel for ya. Took me 20 years to get the admiral to throw a bass plug. Now I have a heck of a time keeping her out of the tackle shops.

2 biggest fish to come into the boat last year were on her string. Do you think I see any relief in sight?

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: On-board Chargers

There are chargers and there are chargers. The average smart charger you purchase at Wal-mart or even at an auto parts store is not a "marine" charger. A marine charger is made of materials resistant to corrosion and is "ignition protected". That means it will not ignite an explosive mixture ( gasoline vapors or hydrogen). Marine chargers also usually meet UL standards for marine use which are more stringent than those for automotive chargers. Also as was pointed out you are now installing an AC system on your boat, and AC systems on boats have to meet tougher standards than shore side AC systems. In other words you are getting into a lot of headaches for that small a boat so you have to ask yourself, is it worth it?

I would do what Fireman said. If you battery needs charging just pull the battery out and charge it in your garage.

Go buy yourself a new reel. One of those really fancy ones from Penn or Shimano.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: On-board Chargers

2 biggest fish to come into the boat last year were on her string. Do you think I see any relief in sight?

If she bugs you about catching the biggest fish or more fish, you need to remind her that she would not have caught them had you not put the boat in the position for her to do that. Since you need to drive the boat, position it, and perhaps run the troller, set the anchor, etc., she is getting twice the fishing time as you.

 

[Beefer]

Re: On-board Chargers

I would do what Fireman said. If you battery needs charging just pull the battery out and charge it in your garage.

Yep, that's what I do.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: On-board Chargers

Every on-board charger i've ever owned has been a hermetically sealed unit. No metal to corrode.

This was bugging me, so I read a little deeper into the charger corrosion issue. The charger is a sealed marine unit, but the sticker actually reads ".....corrosion to charger housing may result." the manual was referring to the powder coated housing, not the charger internals. I feel better now...

 

[skeetertrihull]

Re: On-board Chargers

Or maybe you can do I what I did and had the dealer install a solar panel plate and shunt circuit to trickle charge all batteries.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: On-board Chargers

Or maybe you can do I what I did and had the dealer install a solar panel plate and shunt circuit to trickle charge all batteries.

How big of a solar panel would I need to trickle charge all five (5) 950 CCA house/starting/genset batteries?