Best on-board charger? 2024
NorthernBasser reply :
As some know, I put an order in on a new boat the other day. Totally whiffed on upgrading the on-board charger, but I can still upgrade the dealer said.
What comes on the boat is a ProMariner. Now, it's only a 2 bank, so I know I want to upgrade to a 3. But here's my dilemma.
How is ProMariner compared to Minn Kota and Dual Pro? To upgrade to a ProMariner 3 bank with 10 amps per bank is $130. Is it worth going that route, or paying the extra money and buying a Minn Kota or Dual Pro myself and having them put it on when they take delivery (which they have no problem doing)?
Also, which version of Minn Kota/Dual Pro would you recommend, if I went that route?
Looking at this, I'd be paying an additional $200 over the ProMariner upgrade.
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/minn-kota-digital-linear-onboard-battery-charger-mk-330d
Many thanks!
A-Jay reply :
I vote Dual Pro.
And do yourself a favor - get sufficient banks to also charge your cranking battery.
You'll be glad you did.
A-Jay
NorthernBasser reply :
On 4/12/2018 at 7:32 AM, A-Jay said:I vote Dual Pro.
And do yourself a favor - get sufficient banks to also charge your cranking battery.
You'll be glad you did.
A-Jay
Man, that thing looks like a boat's version of K.I.T.T. 
So, would 3 bank, 10 amps per bank suffice?
BTW, nice boat! A friend has the same.
A-Jay reply :
Battery type / size can drive charger selection.
You'll have to decide what best suits for your needs.
In my version, 4 Quality Batteries are $$$, a high quality recharging unit is a solid investment.
A-Jay
slonezp reply :
Dual Pro chargers are the only chargers that are serviceable. If the MK or Pro Mariner fail, they are garbage.
Further North reply :
On 4/12/2018 at 7:32 AM, A-Jay said:And do yourself a favor - get sufficient banks to also charge your cranking battery.
This, in spades.
All the top brands are great. I'm A Minn Kota charger guy, because mine work great, have lasted years, and get the job done very well.
My batteries are on the chargers year round, even over the winter and I've never had a problem. I can't offer personal experience on the other major brands, but everyone I know who has used them has been satisfied.
On 4/12/2018 at 7:56 AM, slonezp said:Dual Pro chargers are the only chargers that are serviceable. If the MK or Pro Mariner fail, they are garbage.
Sure, but: https://www.minnkotamotors.com/support/warranty/battery-chargers
...chargers are the kind of electronics that'll either fail early on or last forever...My Minn Kota 4 bank has been in 3 boats over 6 years and is still plugging along just fine.
NorthernBasser reply :
On 4/12/2018 at 7:32 AM, A-Jay said:I vote Dual Pro.
And do yourself a favor - get sufficient banks to also charge your cranking battery.
You'll be glad you did.
A-Jay
What do you mean by sufficient banks? Like, amps per bank?
A-Jay reply :
On 4/12/2018 at 9:23 AM, NorthernBasser said:What do you mean by sufficient banks? Like, amps per bank?
Traditionally - one bank per battery.
An additional one would be needed to charge the cranker.
So if you have a 24 volt Trolling motor - and you want to charge the cranker, a three bank charger would be what you want.
A-Jay
PECo reply :
A definite YES on having one charger bank per battery. Your motor’s alternator alone will NOT charge your cranking battery sufficiently to run your electronics, and livewell and bilge pumps.
Regarding Minn Kota Precision Chargers, I’ve read that they’re particularly sensitive to low line voltages and, unfortunately, I’ve experienced it myself with my MK 345 PC.
I’d give a different brand a try, first.
NorthernBasser reply :
On 4/12/2018 at 10:27 AM, A-Jay said:Traditionally - one bank per battery.
An additional one would be needed to charge the cranker.
So if you have a 24 volt Trolling motor - and you want to charge the cranker, a three bank charger would be what you want.
A-Jay
Gotcha. Definitely getting a 3 bank. What about amps? Is 10 fine?
PECo reply :
On 4/12/2018 at 10:52 AM, NorthernBasser said:What about amps? Is 10 fine?
I had a Cabela’s brand Pro Series Charger on my previous boat and never had any problems with it. The distributed-on-demand capability appeared to work fine. My current Minn Kota Precision Charger is finicky in comparison. Here’s the current version on the Cabela’s brand three-bank 20 amp charger, which happens to be on sale:
https://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-PRO-SERIES-ON-BOARD-CHARGER/2416312.uts?slotId=0
A-Jay reply :
On 4/12/2018 at 10:52 AM, NorthernBasser said:Gotcha. Definitely getting a 3 bank. What about amps? Is 10 fine?
There's quite a bit of information and debate regarding battery types, as well as different charger types & sizes.
Unfortunately there is NO One answer - one must consider the type / size of batteries they have (Wet Cell, AGM batteries etc) and how they plan on using it.
I will tell you that when making my own choice, I wanted a reliable, quality & safe product that would recharge my units quickly & effectively. As well as one that was built & backed by a solid company with a long standing & favorable reputation. Looking at what is/was available when making my choice ~ this is the direction I went.
http://www.dualpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PS4b-insert.pdf -
I'm glad I did.
A-Jay
slonezp reply :
On 4/12/2018 at 10:52 AM, NorthernBasser said:Gotcha. Definitely getting a 3 bank. What about amps? Is 10 fine?
10 amps per bank is good. 15 is better
Bluebasser86 reply :
My boat had a Minn Kota when I bought it, but it kicked the bucket after 3 years. I have a 3 bank Dual Pro now.
th365thli reply :
The used boat I bought had a minn Kota two bank charger that just sat in there for 5 years. Boat was left uncovered and the charger looked pretty beat. It still works. So I bought a minn Kota three bank 
JLBBass reply :
best "bang for the buck" onboard charger, in my opinion, is Minn Kota. GREAT customer service also!
J Francho reply :
I've only ever used Dual Pro. Never been an an issue.
RUSS9999 reply :
Dual pro. Got It from ''Battery Mart'' free shipping and I think no tax. Was a lot less then all the other places I look.
NorthernBasser reply :
Thanks all. So the consensus is either Minn Kota or Dual Pro. After reading all the comments, maybe I'll just flip a coin. Ha..
On 4/12/2018 at 11:10 AM, A-Jay said:There's quite a bit of information and debate regarding battery types, as well as different charger types & sizes.
Unfortunately there is NO One answer - one must consider the type / size of batteries they have (Wet Cell, AGM batteries etc) and how they plan on using it.
I will tell you that when making my own choice, I wanted a reliable, quality & safe product that would recharge my units quickly & effectively. As well as one that was built & backed by a solid company with a long standing & favorable reputation. Looking at what is/was available when making my choice ~ this is the direction I went.
http://www.dualpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PS4b-insert.pdf -
I'm glad I did.
A-Jay
That thing looks pretty big. I'd probably have to measure to see if it'd even fit where the current charger is at right now.
Smalliefan2 reply :
I would recommend Dual Pro. Have a 12 yr old 15 amp, 3 bank in my Ranger. Absolutely no issues. Had a Dual Pro in my last boat. I would say one bank per battery, and 15 amps minimum. I can totally recharge within seven hours or less depending on how hard I run the TM, and be ready for my next day.
NorthernBasser reply :
On 4/13/2018 at 10:31 AM, Smalliefan2 said:I would recommend Dual Pro. Have a 12 yr old 15 amp, 3 bank in my Ranger. Absolutely no issues. Had a Dual Pro in my last boat. I would say one bank per battery, and 15 amps minimum. I can totally recharge within seven hours or less depending on how hard I run the TM, and be ready for my next day.
And it's ok to keep it plugged in all the time? It can't overcharge or anything like that?
Further North reply :
On 4/12/2018 at 7:56 AM, slonezp said:Dual Pro chargers are the only chargers that are serviceable. If the MK or Pro Mariner fail, they are garbage.
So...I got to thinking about this...and I'm the first to admit that I tend to look at things a little differently...
Here's my thinking, let's say I have another brand that's not serviceable...and it stops working. If it's in warranty, the maker sends me a new one, should be a faster turn time than sending in the old one, getting it looked at, fixed and sent back. If it out of warranty, I buy a new one and I'm up and running in a couple days, max.
...I think at this point in my life I'm more focused on minimum down time than $$$. But...remember...I tend to look at things a little differently than most do, so take this for what it's worth.
WRB reply :
The Professional Dual Pro charger is the highest end price and quality with metered voltage for each bank with 15 amps power.
Norco Genius sealed water proof compact size charger is 40-50% less expensive, doesn't offer metered voltage, however very reliable 15 amp per bank deep cycle marine battery charger.
Tom
J Francho reply :
Dual Pro have a warranty as well. Most people have their boats FAR longer than a warranty period. They are also a better charger and keep batteries in better condition, which means longer battery life, and lower replacement cost. So, after the warranty expires, and the unit dies, you either throw the MK in the trash or you repair your Dual Pro. That said, the Dual Pro in my boat right now is probably from '95, when the boat was new. Still works like a champ.
RenegadeBassin reply :
I have a dual pro 2 bank that seems to work great! Can't give too strong of an opinion since I got my boat in September, but it's really simple and easy to use/read. I do wish I had a three bank for all three of my batteries though because right now I have to hook my cranking battery up to another trickle charger that plugs into the wall as well.
Further North reply :
On 4/14/2018 at 1:23 AM, J Francho said:That said, the Dual Pro in my boat right now is probably from '95, when the boat was new. Still works like a champ.
Wow, that's a long time. Pretty cool.
NorthernBasser reply :
OK, so I've been looking at Minn Kota and Dual Pro. It seems the Dual Pro is a little too big for where it will be mounted. The charger can't be more than 4" thick (tall).
So I'm looking at these two Minn Kota's. One is a 3 bank, 10 amps per bank. The other is 4 bank, 14 amps per bank.
Does it pay to spend the extra 185 for the latter?
I only 'need' 3 banks, right? 2 for the 70lb thrust trolling motor, and one for the outboard/lights/graph.
How much faster will 15 amps/bank charge compared to 10 amps/bank? If I fish all day, and plug the batteries in at night...lets say 8-9pm, will they likely be charged by 5am the next morning with either of those chargers?
Here's the 2 chargers. Also, anybody have these specific ones?
https://www.amazon.com/MinnKota-Board-Battery-Charger-Banks/dp/B0042TC5QM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524529134&sr=8-2&keywords=minn+kota+on+board+charger
https://www.amazon.com/Minn-Kota-Precision-Board-Charger/dp/B01AB8B5TK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1524529134&sr=8-4&keywords=minn+kota+on+board+charger
Thanks again guys!
Further North reply :
If you only have three batteries on board, all you need is a three bank.
10 amps is plenty, unless you run the batteries down near dead and need to be back on the water fast...then 15 mps is better.
I run 5 batteries:
- 3 for the trolling motor...
- 1 for my electronics...
- 1 for cranking the big motor and the rest of the boat.
I use a MK 4 bank charger for the 3 trolling motor batteries and the cranking batttery, and a single bank charger for the electronics battery.
Lots of people my view that as excessive...I can't say they are wrong, but it makes me happy and I'm about guaranteed to never find myself in a situation where I don't have a back-up.
Way2slow reply :
For several years I ran the ProMariner Pro 300's. The last ones I got would last about three years or just past the end of their warrantee. When you send them in for repair, they tell you the no longer repair the board in your model and will offer to sell you another at a discount price. Third time was the charm for me. I told them where they could stick it and went shopping for a different brand. They also make most of the BPS chargers, so I would stay away from those also.
When the last ProMariner failed, I found a good deal on the MK330 Digital or something like that. Anyway, I've been running it three years and not happy with it. I haven't been using my Javelin a lot and I've had to replace the batteries in it every year. I've never had this problem before with any of the other chargers.
So, this year it looks like I'm going shopping again, this time it will most likely be the Dual Pro. They've been around a long time and have a solid reputation.
NorthernBasser reply :
On 4/25/2018 at 7:49 AM, Way2slow said:For several years I ran the ProMariner Pro 300's. The last ones I got would last about three years or just past the end of their warrantee. When you send them in for repair, they tell you the no longer repair the board in your model and will offer to sell you another at a discount price. Third time was the charm for me. I told them where they could stick it and went shopping for a different brand. They also make most of the BPS chargers, so I would stay away from those also.
When the last ProMariner failed, I found a good deal on the MK330 Digital or something like that. Anyway, I've been running it three years and not happy with it. I haven't been using my Javelin a lot and I've had to replace the batteries in it every year. I've never had this problem before with any of the other chargers.
So, this year it looks like I'm going shopping again, this time it will most likely be the Dual Pro. They've been around a long time and have a solid reputation.
Well this I don't like hearing since that's the one I was likely gonna go with. Like I said, the dual pros won't fit I guess.
Further North reply :
On 4/25/2018 at 7:49 AM, Way2slow said:For several years I ran the ProMariner Pro 300's. The last ones I got would last about three years or just past the end of their warrantee. When you send them in for repair, they tell you the no longer repair the board in your model and will offer to sell you another at a discount price. Third time was the charm for me. I told them where they could stick it and went shopping for a different brand. They also make most of the BPS chargers, so I would stay away from those also.
When the last ProMariner failed, I found a good deal on the MK330 Digital or something like that. Anyway, I've been running it three years and not happy with it. I haven't been using my Javelin a lot and I've had to replace the batteries in it every year. I've never had this problem before with any of the other chargers.
So, this year it looks like I'm going shopping again, this time it will most likely be the Dual Pro. They've been around a long time and have a solid reputation.
There is something else going on here causing you have to replace batteries every year.
My batteries are on my chargers just about every minute of the year that they are not on a lake or on the trailer on the way to or from one...and my batteries last 5 years plus. I don't even bother to pull them over the winter, they stay in the boat at temperatures well south of 0° and they last just fine...and I do not buy expensive batteries.
I happen to have Minn Kota chargers, but the other brands do just as well, if not better...I know all kinds of people using all of the main brands here and none of them are experiencing that kind of absurd battery life...
On 4/25/2018 at 8:07 AM, NorthernBasser said:Well this I don't like hearing since that's the one I was likely gonna go with. Like I said, the dual pros won't fit I guess.
You'll be fine. Plug the chargers in when you get home, every day, all the time and don't sweat the small stuff. There's some other factor impacting @Way2slow batteries.
Run the chargers as intended and you'll be fine.
NorthernBasser reply :
On 4/25/2018 at 8:18 AM, Further North said:There is something else going on here causing you have to replace batteries every year.
My batteries are on my chargers just about every minute of the year that they are not on a lake or on the trailer on the way to or from one...and my batteries last 5 years plus. I don't even bother to pull them over the winter, they stay in the boat at temperatures well south of 0° and they last just fine...and I do not buy expensive batteries.
I happen to have Minn Kota chargers, but the other brands do just as well, if not better...I know all kinds of people using all of the main brands here and none of them are experiencing that kind of absurd battery life...
You'll be fine. Plug the chargers in when you get home, every day, all the time and don't sweat the small stuff. There's some other factor impacting @Way2slow batteries.
Run the chargers as intended and you'll be fine.
OK good. I was gonna say I've seen nothing but good reviews on that Minn Kota.
Way2slow reply :
My granddaughter had a change in shift schedules and will start having three day weekends every week and looking forward the getting back to bass fishing. Getting the boat ready, the Deka DC27's I put in it last spring are toast. This is the third year in a row for the TM batteries. Deka batteries are a very good brand of battery and I've run them for more years than I can remember and never got anything but great service out of them. I doubt they changed the quality of battery they make at the same time I installed the MK charger. The float voltages are off on this charger and they are not adjustable.
That was the one thing I liked about the ProMariner charger, they had a great maintenance mode, the float voltage on everyone I had was dead on 13.17 volts, and I always easily got four out of my TM batteries, and that was when I was using the a lot. Actually I really liked the ProMariner chargers when they worked, and they had a great customer service, other than the fact they didn't fix a darn thing and every three years for a new charger got old.
Now, I'm not a stranger to batteries and battery maintenance. Maybe I just got one of the Monday morning for Friday afternoon chargers, but I do know that one is coming most likely coming out of my boat pretty soon. $200 every spring is getting a little old. This time it will be over $300 because it's time to replace the cranking battery Now, the cranking battery is four years old (which I will be replacing it this time, even though it still test good. Four years is the max I run one), it's just the TM batteries it seems to be having a problem with.
RUSS9999 reply :
On 4/24/2018 at 8:31 AM, NorthernBasser said:OK, so I've been looking at Minn Kota and Dual Pro. It seems the Dual Pro is a little too big for where it will be mounted. The charger can't be more than 4" thick (tall).
So I'm looking at these two Minn Kota's. One is a 3 bank, 10 amps per bank. The other is 4 bank, 14 amps per bank.
Does it pay to spend the extra 185 for the latter?
I only 'need' 3 banks, right? 2 for the 70lb thrust trolling motor, and one for the outboard/lights/graph.
How much faster will 15 amps/bank charge compared to 10 amps/bank? If I fish all day, and plug the batteries in at night...lets say 8-9pm, will they likely be charged by 5am the next morning with either of those chargers?
Here's the 2 chargers. Also, anybody have these specific ones?
https://www.amazon.com/MinnKota-Board-Battery-Charger-Banks/dp/B0042TC5QM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524529134&sr=8-2&keywords=minn+kota+on+board+charger
https://www.amazon.com/Minn-Kota-Precision-Board-Charger/dp/B01AB8B5TK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1524529134&sr=8-4&keywords=minn+kota+on+board+charger
Thanks again guys!
Duel Pro RealPro 18 amp 3 bank is 10.25 long, 6.5 wide, 3'' tall $218.95 I went with it for the same reason it could not be over 4'' tall. I fish all day and the batteries are back to 100% in a few hours, long before the next morning.
NorthernBasser reply :
On 4/26/2018 at 1:40 AM, RUSS9999 said:Duel Pro RealPro 18 amp 3 bank is 10.25 long, 6.5 wide, 3'' tall $218.95 I went with it for the same reason it could not be over 4'' tall. I fish all day and the batteries are back to 100% in a few hours, long before the next morning.
Is 6 amps per bank sufficient? Obviously it is for you since you're happy with it. How long does it to take to full charge your batteries after a long day of use?
RUSS9999 reply :
On 4/26/2018 at 6:14 AM, NorthernBasser said:Is 6 amps per bank sufficient? Obviously it is for you since you're happy with it. How long does it to take to full charge your batteries after a long day of use?
After 8 hours of fishing about 4 hour to charge them.
Further North reply :
On 4/25/2018 at 12:29 PM, Way2slow said:My granddaughter had a change in shift schedules and will start having three day weekends every week and looking forward the getting back to bass fishing. Getting the boat ready, the Deka DC27's I put in it last spring are toast. This is the third year in a row for the TM batteries. Deka batteries are a very good brand of battery and I've run them for more years than I can remember and never got anything but great service out of them. I doubt they changed the quality of battery they make at the same time I installed the MK charger. The float voltages are off on this charger and they are not adjustable.
That was the one thing I liked about the ProMariner charger, they had a great maintenance mode, the float voltage on everyone I had was dead on 13.17 volts, and I always easily got four out of my TM batteries, and that was when I was using the a lot. Actually I really liked the ProMariner chargers when they worked, and they had a great customer service, other than the fact they didn't fix a darn thing and every three years for a new charger got old.
Now, I'm not a stranger to batteries and battery maintenance. Maybe I just got one of the Monday morning for Friday afternoon chargers, but I do know that one is coming most likely coming out of my boat pretty soon. $200 every spring is getting a little old. This time it will be over $300 because it's time to replace the cranking battery Now, the cranking battery is four years old (which I will be replacing it this time, even though it still test good. Four years is the max I run one), it's just the TM batteries it seems to be having a problem with.
Yeah, I knew this isn't your first rodeo...but there's something weird going on...
Are you located in a place where your power is inconsistent or unreliable, or are you not leaving the chargers plugged in for maintenance mode to kick in? That you've had trouble with two of the top brands is weird...
I am way out in the country, half way between two small-ish towns and my access to the power grid isn't perfect by any means...and I've had zero issues with MK units in 5 different boats for 14 years...my last two sets of batteries have made it 4 seasons each (starting the 5th season on the latest set now) with no issues. I'm not that lucky, so I'm left wondering what the root cause of your problems is.
It's unlikely you hit the Monday/Friday thing twice, but it's possible.
On 4/26/2018 at 6:14 AM, NorthernBasser said:Is 6 amps per bank sufficient? Obviously it is for you since you're happy with it. How long does it to take to full charge your batteries after a long day of use?
On 4/26/2018 at 9:03 AM, RUSS9999 said:After 8 hours of fishing about 4 hour to charge them.
6 amps seems light to me, 10 amps seems better, 15 is best...but if it's workin'...
RUSS9999 reply :
If I understand it right 6 amps is 6% an hour and 10 amps 10% an hour and 15 amps 15% an hour. I would have went with the 10 amp Duel Pro, but did not have the room for it in the boat and when I got it everyone said to get it over Minn Kota or ProMariner
J Francho reply :
My Xpress had a 3 bank 15 (5-5-5) amp charger, and it worked fine for me. It's not like I was draining the batteries, then needed to go back out in a few hours. Always had a full charge in the AM.
Way2slow reply :
Talk about sticker shock! I went to the warehouse to get my new batteries, and they were out of stock on the DC27's. I asked about DP27's, out of them also. All they had were some DC24's. I asked him about two Group 27 size AGM's, he had those so I told him I guess I will just have to get two of those, I had to have two batteries by Saturday. He sat them down near me and asked if it was cash or card. I asked how much? $520.00
Further North reply :
Yikes!
PECo reply :
On 4/27/2018 at 3:53 AM, Way2slow said:Talk about sticker shock! I went to the warehouse to get my new batteries, and they were out of stock on the DC27's. I asked about DP27's, out of them also. All they had were some DC24's. I asked him about two Group 27 size AGM's, he had those so I told him I guess I will just have to get two of those, I had to have two batteries by Saturday. He sat them down near me and asked if it was cash or card. I asked how much? $520.00
Cabela’s has its AGM batteries on sale, right now. The Group 27s are $175.99:
https://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-ADVANCED-ANGLER-AGM-BATTERIES/1679063.uts
If you have a Cabela’s near you, a trick to avoid having to exchange a core or pay a core charge is to order your batteries online for Store Pickup. It’s like shipping them to your house, but without the charge for it.
Way2slow reply :
I think fishing has gotten too expensive, haven't even gotten on the water yet and spent close to $700. 20 gallons of gas in the boat and 26 gallons in the truck @ $2.80 a gallon and both of them luv drinking it. Plus two cans of SeaFoam in the boat since it has not been on the water for a while, I gave it a double dose. Then the line I've used re-spooling the eight reels I'm taking. Good line is getting out of sight in price.
Ok, back to onboard chargers. Actually, in my honest opinion the top of the line ProMariner (used to be the Pro Tourny 300 but haven't looked lately) are the best charger for the battery and charges the batteries the fastest. It's just their quality/service life that turned me off with them. When three in a row fail just past the end of the warranty, and they can't repair a two to three year old charger because the boards are "too old" but they will allow you a small credit for the you old charger against another new one. That puts you spending $150 to $200 a year, just for a charger. If I could have only gotten five years out of one, I would probably still be using them. However, it looks like I'm spending that on new batteries every year anyway with this MK.
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