NEED HELP with on board battery charger

nitromike · 12-31-10, 02:22 PM

Hello guys

I bought a nitro boat this last year and it has alot of stuff that is new to me.
It has a on-board battery charger that you plug into a 110 wall outlet to charge and maintain the battery.

the Question is do i leave it plugged in all the time? I live in Kansas and I do not fish in the cold weather and was wondering if i leave this plugged in all winter or do i plug it in once in awhile. I do not want the cold to ruin my batteries.

what is the best practice for this.

thanks

nofearengineer · 12-31-10, 02:44 PM

It depends on the type of charger, Mike. However, my bet is that if it is a newer boat, it is a "smart" charger, that automatically reduces to a trickle when the batteries get topped off. This type of charger merely maintains the batteries, without over-charging them.

carolina-rig-01 · 12-31-10, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

It depends on the type of charger, Mike. However, my bet is that if it is a newer boat, it is a "smart" charger, that automatically reduces to a trickle when the batteries get topped off. This type of charger merely maintains the batteries, without over-charging them.

+1 if it's a smart charger just leave it plugged in.

falcooon · 12-31-10, 04:25 PM

Some chargers turn off and when voltage drops they start up again. Some stay on trickle charge. If you stay on trickle charge check water frequently unless you have the sealed AGM type battery.

Some keep the charger plugged in via a weekly timer an set it up so the charger goes through a normal charge routine once a week.

I prefer this tactic as I do not like cooking the battery.

Embrey · 12-31-10, 04:33 PM

you can leave it on all the time, but i just plug it in once a month overnight whether it needs it or not . but chances are,im fishing between that schedule anyway all year round, so it doesnt really matter on mine...lol

nitromike · 01-02-11, 06:17 PM

It is a Minnkota mk25 onboard battery maintainer.
thanks for all your input guys

12-31-10, 02:22 PM	#1
nitromike BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: ElDorado, Kansas Posts: 22	NEED HELP with on board battery charger Hello guys I bought a nitro boat this last year and it has alot of stuff that is new to me. It has a on-board battery charger that you plug into a 110 wall outlet to charge and maintain the battery. the Question is do i leave it plugged in all the time? I live in Kansas and I do not fish in the cold weather and was wondering if i leave this plugged in all winter or do i plug it in once in awhile. I do not want the cold to ruin my batteries. what is the best practice for this. thanks

12-31-10, 02:44 PM	#2
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	It depends on the type of charger, Mike. However, my bet is that if it is a newer boat, it is a "smart" charger, that automatically reduces to a trickle when the batteries get topped off. This type of charger merely maintains the batteries, without over-charging them. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

12-31-10, 04:25 PM	#4
falcooon BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 10	Some chargers turn off and when voltage drops they start up again. Some stay on trickle charge. If you stay on trickle charge check water frequently unless you have the sealed AGM type battery. Some keep the charger plugged in via a weekly timer an set it up so the charger goes through a normal charge routine once a week. I prefer this tactic as I do not like cooking the battery.

12-31-10, 04:33 PM	#5
Embrey BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 505	you can leave it on all the time, but i just plug it in once a month overnight whether it needs it or not . but chances are,im fishing between that schedule anyway all year round, so it doesnt really matter on mine...lol

01-02-11, 06:17 PM	#6
nitromike BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: ElDorado, Kansas Posts: 22	It is a Minnkota mk25 onboard battery maintainer. thanks for all your input guys

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