Reliable Charger 2024

Just wondering what you guys used as far as automatic battery chargers? Gettin' one for this season but I have to buy 2 new batteries too, so not really wanting to spend a bunch of money on it. Don't need the biggest and fastest one, just want a reliable automatic.

I would suggest the "Guest" brand first and foremost. Second would be the Minn Kota brand but be careful with Minn Kota as they don't always charge every type of battery, for example they may not charge GEL batteries. Watch out for the off brand labels made for both Cabelas and Bass Pro shops and if you read the reviews you may see they are not as dependable as you might think. With chargers, you get what you pay for (quality) and the lower the amperage rating, the less expensive it will be, plus thats not a bad thing for the battery either. It will take longer to charge fully is all. I would look for a 5 amp per bank as that gives good bang for the buck.

EDIT

Read the reviews is all I'm saying. The private labeled chargers are not always the best quality.

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Watch out for the off brand labels made for both Cabelas and Bass Pro shops

Off-brand?

BPS and Cabela's chargers are made by Pro-Mariner.

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I would suggest the "Guest" brand first and foremost. Second would be the Minn Kota brand but be careful with Minn Kota as they don't always charge every type of battery, for example they may not charge GEL batteries. Watch out for the off brand labels made for both Cabelas and Bass Pro shops and if you read the reviews you may see they are not as dependable as you might think. With chargers, you get what you pay for (quality) and the lower the amperage rating, the less expensive it will be, plus thats not a bad thing for the battery either. It will take longer to charge fully is all. I would look for a 5 amp per bank as that gives good bang for the buck.

Here's a real nice deal on a Guest two-bank 8 amp charger (4 amps per bank) for under $50 on sale at Cabelas.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0056609&type=pod&forcedId=cat21404&cmCat=cat601663_feat

NOTE:

Manufacturer recommends not using this charger on batteries that have more than 75 AMP Hour rating

Read the reviews is all I'm saying. The private labeled chargers are not always the best quality.

You want to charge your batteries with 10% of the amp/hour rating.  4 amps is not enough for most deep cycle batteries and will decrease the life of your batteries.

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You want to charge your batteries with 10% of the amp/hour rating. 4 amps is not enough for most deep cycle batteries and will decrease the life of your batteries.

While I'd love to take your word for that statement, can you point to anything in writing from one of the Battery manufacturers or charger companys?  I have never read or heard that you can actually "undercharge" a battery. That's why they make "trickle" chargers as low as 3/4 amp.

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You want to charge your batteries with 10% of the amp/hour rating. 4 amps is not enough for most deep cycle batteries and will decrease the life of your batteries.

While I'd love to take your word for that statement, can you point to anything in writing from one of the Battery manufacturers or charger companys? I have never read or heard that you can actually "undercharge" a battery. That's why they make "trickle" chargers as low as 3/4 amp.

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What's the best way to charge deep cycle batteries? The maximum charger rate in amps should be 20% of the amp hour rating of the battery.

Normally, deep cycle batteries do not require special charging procedures. However, we recommended that you use a charger designed specifically for deep cycle batteries. It is best to slow charge all batteries, especially deep cycle. The 20% rule should be used when charging a deep cycle battery. That means to choose a charger where the maximum current (in amps) is less than 20% of the Ah rating. For example, an Interstate SRM-27 is rated at approximately 100 Ah, so a 20-amp charger should be the maximum. Also, it is best to use a charger that is adequate to recharge the battery within 10-12 hours (see next question).

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/www/faqs/tech_talk/maintenance/charging.htm

If you're trying to charge a G27 or G29 battery with a 5 amp charger, you're going to have a lot of downtime.

Sure, there's a MAXIMUM guideline, but not a minimum guideline. Slower is better, albeit longer to accomplish. Your statement from Interstate confirms just that.

A 5 amp per bank will charge just about any deep cycle battery in the 10-12 hour window as recommended.

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Sure, there's a MAXIMUM guideline, but not a minimum guideline. Slower is better, albeit longer to accomplish. Your statement from Interstate confirms just that.

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Also, it is best to use a charger that is adequate to recharge the battery within 10-12 hours (see next question).

Yes, it says exactly what it is supposed to say.  Don't use a small charger.

I think you're misunderstanding things a bit but so be it.

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What size charger should I buy?

     

A properly sized charger takes into account battery capacity and the time interval between charges. In applications where cycling is infrequent, such as weekend RV users, or infrequent or seasonal trolling motor usage, a charger with an output current rating between 10 and 13% of the battery's rated 20-hour capacity will suffice. In applications where battery recharge must be accomplished within 8 to 10 hours, a three stage, automatic charger, rated at 20% of the battery capacity, may be required.

Example: A good charging rate for a battery with a 20-hr capacity of 225 amp-hr is about 22 to 29 amps. You can of course go slightly higher or lower depending on what is available on the market.

http://www.trojanbattery.com/tools/faqs.aspx

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Watch out for the off brand labels made for both Cabelas and Bass Pro shops

Off-brand?

BPS and Cabela's chargers are made by Pro-Mariner.

BL, regardles of who makes them, the chargers with the BPS lable on them are apparently not worth a crap.  Just go to their web site and read the customer reviews.  I can't speak for the Cabella's brand.  I haven't researched their site and am too lazy to start now.  I bought a Dual-Pro instead.  Best I can tell, Guest and Dual-Pro are highly thought of.

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Watch out for the off brand labels made for both Cabelas and Bass Pro shops

Off-brand?

BPS and Cabela's chargers are made by Pro-Mariner.

BL, regardles of who makes them, the chargers with the BPS lable on them are apparently not worth a crap. Just go to their web site and read the customer reviews. I can't speak for the Cabella's brand. I haven't researched their site and am too lazy to start now. I bought a Dual-Pro instead. Best I can tell, Guest and Dual-Pro are highly thought of.

I guess I'm the exception.  BPS XPS charger going on 1.5 years of being plugged in 24/7 unless it's on the road or water.

Blew one fuse in that time.

Buy whatever makes you feel good I say.  You're not proving much to me on this subject.

This is straight off Trojan's web site for recommended chargers.

A properly sized charger takes into account battery capacity and the time interval between charges. In applications where cycling is infrequent, such as weekend RV users, or infrequent or seasonal trolling motor usage, a charger with an output current rating between 10 and 13% of the battery's rated 20-hour capacity will suffice. In applications where battery recharge must be accomplished within 8 to 10 hours, a three stage, automatic charger, rated at 20% of the battery capacity, may be required.

Example: A good charging rate for a battery with a 20-hr capacity of 225 amp-hr is about 22 to 29 amps. You can of course go slightly higher or lower depending on what is available on the market.

This is the end of a paste from Trojan's

Batteries like to be charged in a certain way, especially when they have been deeply discharged. This type of charging is called 3 step regulated charging. Please note that only special SMART CHARGERS using computer technology can perform 3 step charging techniques. You don't find these types of chargers in parts stores and Wal-Marts. The first step is bulk charging where up to 80% of the battery energy capacity is replaced by the charger at the maximum voltage and current amp rating of the charger. When the battery voltage reaches 14.4 volts this begins the absorption charge step. This is where the voltage is held at a constant 14.4 volts and the current (amps) declines until the battery is 98% charged. Next comes the Float Step. This is a regulated voltage of not more than 13.4 volts and usually less than 1 amp of current. This in time will bring the battery to 100% charged or close to it. The float charge will not boil or heat batteries but will maintain the batteries at 100% readiness and prevent cycling during long term inactivity. Some Gel Cell and AGM batteries may require special settings or chargers.

As for brands of chargers, all I've used for the last 10 years have been ProMariners. I currently have two PT 300's, one I've been running pretty much 24/7 for almost five years. If I'm still around another 10 years, I will probably still be running PM's, unless someone comes out with one I feel is better, but that ain't happened yet. If you really knew your batteries and charger technology, you would most likely be running them also.

Now, as for what type charger to buy. You buy the one that people stomp around and scream the loudest about. After all, that's what they bought so it has to absolutely be the best of the best of all battery chargers ever built.

As for BPS and Cabela's using a charger made by ProMariner.  If they were really that bad, do you think those companies would have continued to use them for name brand?   You fail to realize, they probably sell a 100 times more of those than all other brands combined and I don't care how good a products is, it's going to have bad ones.  They could have a 2% return rate on those and still have a hellava lot more complaints that they would have with a 20% return rated on other brands.

Gee, thats why all the "on board" battery chargers come in 3 amp per bank, 5 amp per bank, 10 amp per bank etc. They are all wrong because according to you they should be selling chargers with 25 and 30 amps per bank minimum instead. Take a poll and see just how many people here have a charger that is putting out more then 10-15 amps per bank and you will find them to be in the small minority. (Their charger would look like something from a truck stop and be on wheels) The most popular chargers are going to be in the 5 to 10 amp per bank range. Sure, "Smart Chargers" are generally required but most chargers ARE "smart chargers" today with the necessary built in electronics. 5-10 amps per bank is fine..

Here is Minn Kota's selection criteria. Notice there is no charger bigger then 15 amps per bank and the most common ones are all in the 5-10 amp per bank range. According to you, they'd be selling a product that will harm your battery right? False, because you're wrong in your misguided interpretation of things. 

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/battery_chargers/select-a-charger.aspx

The reason they sell those small chargers is because they can sell them "cheap" and that's what the average consumer wants. If they only marketed what was best for the battery, they would have to close their doors because they would be too expensive for most. They could care less that's it's not the ideal charger and the consumer is not going to get max life from his battery with one.

The average person can use a 4 - 5 amp charger and it will work great for them. They go fishing, use their TM a little, come back and have days for their battery to recharge before needing it again. They get a couple of years or so from their batteries and they are happy. However, I seriously doubt you will never find a pro or avid angler that uses they equipment a lot, with one of those little dinky chargers on board.

You will not find a manufactor or anyone else (other than the unknowing) that does not recommend a charge rate of at least 10% of the batteries capacity and believe it or not there is a reason for that.

As for most all battery chargers today being Smart Chargers, "dream on Alice, your in wonderland now".

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Just wondering what you guys used as far as automatic battery chargers? Gettin' one for this season but I have to buy 2 new batteries too, so not really wanting to spend a bunch of money on it. Don't need the biggest and fastest one, just want a reliable automatic.

How much fishing do you do?

How long do you spend using the trolling motor?

How long in between fishing trips?

These answers will help you to see what would work best for you.

get a "Guest" on board charger

Google deep cycle charging ... it's not the same as normal batteries. Faster is better ... but don't believe me or anyone else that has proven over and over by posting from wensites. They sell 3 bank chargers for smaller boats and the lower amp rating is for the starting battery. Go ahead and try to buy a 20 amp charger ... you'll go broke in the process ... these guys have been fishing along time, they're here to help and not give you a hard time ... why waste their time with a question and then when you get the answer, you argue they're wrong. I have asked a bunch of questions on here and always received good advice. A lot of the time, more than one answer to make me think in more than one direction ... good luck with your choice. BTW, I run a dual pro 10x2 . Had it for 8 years and just had to replace the body on it. Still running strong. 

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Google deep cycle charging ... it's not the same as normal batteries. Faster is better ... but don't believe me or anyone else that has proven over and over by posting from wensites. They sell 3 bank chargers for smaller boats and the lower amp rating is for the starting battery. Go ahead and try to buy a 20 amp charger ... you'll go broke in the process ... these guys have been fishing along time, they're here to help and not give you a hard time ... why waste their time with a question and then when you get the answer, you argue they're wrong. I have asked a bunch of questions on here and always received good advice. A lot of the time, more than one answer to make me think in more than one direction ... good luck with your choice. BTW, I run a dual pro 10x2 . Had it for 8 years and just had to replace the body on it. Still running strong.

The guy that asked the question is not arguing with anyone. He hasn't been back on since he asked it and probably won't be because he doesn't want to get between the two doing all the talking

Ok guys, time to cool your jets.  Posts have been edited and deleted. Personal attacks will NOT be tolerated.  >

It's batteries folks.  Certainly not worth arguing about. Put it into perspective.

Geez, why is it I sometimes have to treat adults like kids?

Glenn,

Let me ask you what was soooo wrong about my post pointing out that OPTIMA recommends a charger to be 10 amp maximum? You deleted that one twice now. You have something against OPTIMA or just me? Seems to me you deleted my posts only here. I was just defending myself. I can understand deleting but be fair about it, not one sided.

But this is OK huh???

"Ken in NJ, I guess you don't know any more about marketing than you do about batteries and chargers, another one of these posters that post what they "THINK" rather than what's fact."

[edit]Edited to remove profanity.[/edit]

I did not see the text you bolded, thanks for letting me know.  However it looks like Way2slow edited his post to remove that remark.  Thanks way2slow!

As to your posts that were removed - they contained insults and attacks on other members.  Hence the reason why they were removed.

In addition, you are including profanity in your posts.  Please take a moment to breath, and read the FAQ's/Policies (the link is in my signature).

Further violation of our policies will result in your quick exit.

OPTIMA who is a manufacturer of deep cycle batteries of the kind often used in deep cycle trolling applications (AGM type batteries, Absorbed Glass Mat) recommends that chargers not exceed 10 AMPs maximum. This applies to the popular Blue top and Yellow top betteries.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/product_support/charging.php

My advice is to do your OWN research in buying both Batteries as well as a Charger too.

Optima's are AGM batteries.  Very few people that buy AGM's really understand the difference between AGM's and flooded cell batteries.  The reason for recommending low amperage on those is not because it's necessarily the best for the battery, it's because of what general public uses to charge them with.  AGM batteries are a lot more sensitive to charging conditions and over 14.6 volts will damage the battery.  The mast majority of standard chargers are designed for flooded cell batteries and can reach voltages of over 16 volts when charging at 10 amps or higher.  By limiting the charge to much lower currents, it keeps the voltage down closer to what's safe for the battery.   While the cheaper SMART chargers that have AGM specific functions are much better than the old hot boxes, they still are not the best.  Good AGM chargers are Expensive.  Actually good battery chargers that are BEST suited for deep cycle batteries are expensive.   That's why your 10 and 15 amp per bank onboards are so expensive.  It's not because they a built for onboard use, it's because they are high quality chargers.  If you bought a similar quality 10 - 15 amp home charger, you could easily have to pay $200 or more so for just One Bank. 

Price some commercial quality 10 - 20 amp chargers.  These are built to charge batteries so you get max battery life.  Not so they can be sold cheap and do an ok job of charging batteries.

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Optima's are AGM batteries. Very few people that buy AGM's really understand the difference between AGM's and flooded cell batteries. The reason for recommending low amperage on those is not because it's necessarily the best for the battery, it's because of what general public uses to charge them with. AGM batteries are a lot more sensitive to charging conditions and over 14.6 volts will damage the battery. The mast majority of standard chargers are designed for flooded cell batteries and can reach voltages of over 16 volts when charging at 10 amps or higher. By limiting the charge to much lower currents, it keeps the voltage down closer to what's safe for the battery. While the cheaper SMART chargers that have AGM specific functions are much better than the old hot boxes, they still are not the best. Good AGM chargers are Expensive. Actually good battery chargers that are BEST suited for deep cycle batteries are expensive. That's why your 10 and 15 amp per bank onboards are so expensive. It's not because they a built for onboard use, it's because they are high quality chargers. If you bought a similar quality 10 - 15 amp home charger, you could easily have to pay $200 or more so for just One Bank.

Price some commercial quality 10 - 20 amp chargers. These are built to charge batteries so you get max battery life. Not so they can be sold cheap and do an ok job of charging batteries.

Thanks ... apples and oranges. Ken, most weekend anglers are better suited for wet cell batteries. They do require maintenance but respond better to not being used as much. Plus the fact they are a good bit cheaper than AGM batteries. Just a thought.

Sorry guys. Did not mean to start anything... BUT I did learn a lot. Ha. Thanks for all the info! I might not even be able to add an on-board charger. My battery compartment doesn't have a lot of empty space. Are there any guys out there charging the old fashion way? What charger would you recommend?

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What charger would you recommend?

http://store.schumachermart.com/ssc-1500a.html

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What charger would you recommend?

http://store.schumachermart.com/ssc-1500a.html

I was just looking at that one at wal-mart tonight. I read some reviews that said it had trouble slow-charging, and would constantly shut off and read a 'battery error' message. People did not look too happy about it on the reviews. Anyone had any experiences with these problems?

Xantrex Truecharge 2 are good chargers. Their 10 or 15 amp would probably do most anything you need.

Please note though, these are good chargers designed to get max life from a battery, not your cheap WalMart crap so they are not going to be cheap.

You will not buy "GOOD" 10 amp or larger charger for less than $100 and will be closer to $150 and up.

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