Onboard Battery Charger

[kspain]

I have a cranking battery and a 12v battery for my trolling motor. Can I get a onboard battery charger that charges 3 batteries although I only have 2? I'm thinking about getting a Bass Pro Shops Intelligent Technology Series 5/5/5. It's the same price as the XPS iT 5/5.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Onboard Battery Charger

Yep. Just connect the extra set of wires to one of the batteries. Doesn't matter which one.

 

[kspain]

Re: Onboard Battery Charger

If I put the extra set of wires to the trolling motor, would this mean it gets 10 amps instead of 5 amps?

Thanks again!

 

[wifisher]

Re: Onboard Battery Charger

The battery with two sets of wires could get 10A instead of 5A or it may not. Depends on the charger. Chargers monitor the battery voltage and put out current based on ocv(open circuit voltage) This is how they know when to stop charging and not boil away the acid. Having the two leads together may confuse it. I'm not sure. Won't hurt anything, but still takes the same time to charge. I would just cap off the extra set of wires.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Onboard Battery Charger

Put the extra output on the deep cycle. The starting battery doesn't get deeply discharged so the single output will take care of that. The deep cycle gets much more abuse from large swings in charge/discharge cycles so it will benefit from being topped off more quickly. No -- the charger will not get confused because it is designed to perform properly in that configuration.

 

[kspain]

Re: Onboard Battery Charger--Circuit Breaker??

Re: Onboard Battery Charger--Circuit Breaker??

Does a Minn Kota Powerdrive V2 with 55lbs thrust and 54" shaft need a circuit breaker? It's a 12 volt. I have a battery charger.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Onboard Battery Charger--Circuit Breaker??

Re: Onboard Battery Charger--Circuit Breaker??

ANY trolling motor regardless of size needs a circuit breaker or fuse within six inches of the battery.

 

[mschmidt33]

Re: Onboard Battery Charger--Circuit Breaker??

Re: Onboard Battery Charger--Circuit Breaker??

bump... looking to get a final answer on the original post. I have the same setup and am also looking at the 3 bank XPS iT 5/5/5 as I may add a 3rd battery someday. Cap the 3rd or add to trolling motor?