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Winterization / Float Charger question

1K views 11 replies 11 participants last post by  Snakecharmer 
#1 ·
Wondering what OGF members have found is the best way to maintain marine batteries over winter. Real estate is at a premium on my skiff so I'm reluctant to go the onboard multi-bank charger route. Also, some have cautioned placing trust in automatic float chargers for risk of frying a battery (see thread below).

The owner's manual for the one I own states that it can be used on marine batteries. However, in an abundance of caution, has anyone here experimented with a float charger on a timer? I've got a few timers lying around. One is daily. The other permits weekly settings. I could theoretically set the float charger to come on for 30 minutes a day or a few hours a week depending on what is needed. Any suggestions on settings and if this is a prudent way to go vs. just leaving it on "permanent status" all winter?

https://www.ohiogamefishing.com/threads/question-battery-charging-time.317618/#post-2353522
 

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#5 ·
ive got one of those cheap walmart ever start 3amp $20 chargers. so far its been great, charges my starting battery fully (the battery stays charged from the motor out on the water, so theres not much charging to do, basically just topping it off), it gets the battery up to charge and then drops to a trickle charge. so far so good, I also have a minn kota 2200 on my 2 trolling motor batteries that I use until the fully charged lights come on, then I unplug it, about once a week ill plug it back in and it takes about 30-40 minutes until they are back up to full charge. id really like to just leave it plugged in but i've read a lot of stories on line (they must be true then) where the minn kota chargers malfunction and ruin a battery. so, i'll just keep doing it this way for now.
 
#6 ·
I used the onboard chargers. Minn Kota on my last two boats. I plug in as soon as I get home and then unplug the next day. I wish at least once a week so this works all season.

Winter I plug it back in once a month. Takes about half hour to top off.

The chargers are very small and can be mounted nearly anywhere. For the ease, they sure are nice.
 
#8 ·
As I mentioned in the other thread I am no fan of those "automatic" float chargers. I guess on a short term basis they would be okay. Before going to the onboard charger I did go to using a timer on mine. It's hard to remember exactly what I did but it was a cheap daily charger. I would charge the battery fully first, then I would place it on the timer for maintenance. It worked but I never did know exactly if what I was doing was right or wrong.
 
#9 ·
I've been using a mounted 3 bank charger for well over 10 years on my primary fishing boat. My deep cycle batteries are good for 4 seasons with moderate use. I'm starting to fish more & have recently added a higher thrust trolling motor. So far my on-board charger has been doing an excellent job. I recently acquired a different 3 bank charger w/ 15 amps per bank (5 step). I'll repost when I find out how well it performance. Mike
 
#10 ·
I've had 5 peak (Float) chargers on batteries for a long time, motorcycles, 4 wheeler, hotrod, loose batteries and have never had a failure. They stay plugged in 24 - 7 - 365. My boat gets plugged in when it gets parked at night during the season and charged. While being stored it gets a charge once a month and usually runs no longer then 10 minutes before the 3 bank is all green. If your charging without the use of an on board unit get yourself a good charger that will put the power to it then go into trickle when its done to peak. You guys are really over thinking this battery thing. :)
 
#11 ·
I keep my 2 terrova batteries in the boat and just plug in my internal battery charger every couple days. I take my smaller starter battery out though and bring it in the house, plug it into a battery charger every couple weeks for a couple hours and it is good to go in the spring. It's easy to get to my starter and I don't feel like taking out 2 huge deep cycle batteries for the terrova when I have the onboard charger.
 
#12 ·
I've had 5 peak (Float) chargers on batteries for a long time, motorcycles, 4 wheeler, hotrod, loose batteries and have never had a failure. They stay plugged in 24 - 7 - 365. My boat gets plugged in when it gets parked at night during the season and charged. While being stored it gets a charge once a month and usually runs no longer then 10 minutes before the 3 bank is all green. If your charging without the use of an on board unit get yourself a good charger that will put the power to it then go into trickle when its done to peak. You guys are really over thinking this battery thing. :)
My local ACE Hardware has Peak 2 / 10 Amp chargers on closeout for $30. They seem to be pretty beefy compared to the Battery Tender units for a similar price.
 
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