Trickle Charger?

J

johndoe

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 27, 2002
Messages
180
I have a new boat and battery. as part of the winterization, I was instructed to place the battery on a trickle charger? How many amps would be needed for this trickle charger and do I leave it on there ALL WINTER??? <br /><br />I am in the market for a new charger and would like any product info if you know any..
 
bubbakat

bubbakat

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Oct 29, 2002
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Re: Trickle Charger?

If it is a floating charger it won't hurt to leave it on all the time. I run a 5x5 on board charger all year long. It puts 5amps to both batteries when needed. It will detect when the batteries need a charge so that is where the floating comes in. Has nothing to do with staying on top of the water :D I bought mine at either bass pro or off here one or the other.<br />I would say your trickle charger is either 2 amp or 4 amp.
 
roscoe

roscoe

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Oct 30, 2002
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21,764
Re: Trickle Charger?

I use a trickle charger, set at 2 amps.<br />I turn it on for about 12 hours, once every 3-4 weeks.<br /><br />You can buy a little automatic battery maintainer 1.5amp model and leave it wired up to the battery all winter, cost is about $29.
 
WillyBWright

WillyBWright

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Re: Trickle Charger?

Buy yourself a cheap battery charger (say a 6 amp) and a lamp timer. Let it charge for just 1 hour per day.
 
E

ED21

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Aug 26, 2003
Messages
829
Re: Trickle Charger?

You have to be carefull, an unregulated trickle charger can over charge a battery. A regulated maintnance charger should be OK to leave hooked up all the time. I still wonder about the electronics failing & killing a battery if left hooked up all the time.
 
1

18rabbit

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Nov 14, 2003
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3,202
Re: Trickle Charger?

Good point, Ed. If you are going to leave an unregulated trickle charger on a battery, the amps should not exceed 2% of the bats 20-hr capacity rating, 1% is preferred. Ex: a 100-a/hr battery should not be trickled over 2amps, 1 amp being adequate.
 
W

walleyehed

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Jun 29, 2003
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Re: Trickle Charger?

Remember, in the case of lead-acid, 14.5-14.7 IS required to properly CHARGE a battery, but 13.3 is the voltage required to "Maintain" the battery when stored. Each charger is different, and I would HIGHLY recommend a "maintenance" type charger to utilize the "smart charge" features that will be best for the battery regardless of amp/hr.
 
J

johndoe

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 27, 2002
Messages
180
Re: Trickle Charger?

Okay,<br />I have been reading about the different types of chargers reccomended.. and I agree, that a Maintenanct type of REGULATED charger is the best.. I see that Xantrex and Guest are good ones, as well as Newmar... If I buy a permanent mount type, will it include the power connector/adapter for connection to AC, and what about the optional Temperature sensors...? are thay worth it.. ?<br /><br />I am thinking I will add a second battery and switch at some point next season, so I want a charger that will maintain both, and not hurt my existing alternator and on board electronics..?
 
W

walleyehed

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Re: Trickle Charger?

Personally, I would recommend a pro Mariner in a 2-bank. Power cord included and you can mount it where you need it for access.
 
Scaaty

Scaaty

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Re: Trickle Charger?

I have WAY too many batteries for my bikes and boats. I have gotten to the point that over the winter, every 2 to 3 months (which amounts to ONCE) I go give them all a 6-8 hour shot with 1 to 5 to 10amp depending on the batt size. And it probably makes me feel better than the battery. Come spring, if they don't take a full charge, they were on there last legs anyway. And I haven't had one go bad over the winter YET. Just make sure they have water and clean tops. I don't think anyone needs a fully charged battery (which is where the trickle charger comes in) unless the vehicle sits and must be used at a moments notice. A CLEAN, disconnected fully charged battery should last 3 months and still have a good charge. I carry a spare in my big boat, and after 3 months, it will fire the boat no problem, and I carry a spare in the van over winter and it will do the same.
 
Scaaty

Scaaty

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Re: Trickle Charger?

Part 2 BUT, if you need to keep the battery up for electronics, ect, "Battery Tender" rated best by Motorcycle Consuner News
 
CalicoKid

CalicoKid

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 27, 2002
Messages
1,599
Re: Trickle Charger?

I treat my batt's about the same as Robby. I charge probably twice in Winter and once before firing the motor up in Spring for the first time. I'm not recommending it but it works for me. My batteries last as long as they're designed to.
 
Boatist

Boatist

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Apr 22, 2002
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Re: Trickle Charger?

All Batteries will self discharge. If not charged about 1 time a month Sulfation will ocure and due damage. Ok in colder temperature you can go a little longer but your batteries will last a lot longer if you charge once a mounth year round. I think 2 amp unregualted battery chargers kill a lot of batteries by over chargering.<br /><br />I see no reason to get a charger less than 10 amps AUTOMATIC unless your charging lawnmower or motorcycle. Reason I like larger chargers is everyone will have a deep cycle battery running low some day. Even a Little group 24 will take 18 hours to fully charge with a 10 amp. It will take days to do it with a 2 amp. If you have the larger group 27 or 31 with 10 amps still 24 hours or more. The automatics will not over charge and they step the amps down as the batteries charge.<br /><br />Even Wall-Mart has some cheap but good battery charger. They are multi stage and even have some testing circuits. They have models from 2 to 35 amps.<br /><br />Also lots of on board multi stage charger here at IBOAT.<br /><br />I think important to set up with a external plug on the boat where it is easy to plug in your charger. That way it no big deal to charge the batteries.<br /><br />On my boat the plug is on the bow of the boat. I can charge from my home charger or the 12 volt line from my truck while going down the road.
 
W

walleyehed

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Messages
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Re: Trickle Charger?

Nice home page, RPM!<br />I'm not sure that maybe I haven't seen a Fox River sticker on a fountain on TEXOMA...????<br />Does the name Kent Reece ring any bells????
 
R

RPM

Cadet
Joined
Dec 15, 2001
Messages
6
Re: Trickle Charger?

Thanks, but no. However, we did build a pair of 1000 HP engines for a 38 Fountain for a customer out of Colorado that sold it to a guy from that area though. Thanks for noticing.
 
B

Bert1

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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