Battery tender/charger?

[Hannibal]

I posted about a starting problem in an earlier/below thread. I've done some more reading and since I've already replaced my starter (which was dead anyhow), I am leaning towards not having enough juice in the batteries.

I've read that the computer needs to see at least X amount of volts in order to tell the motor to fire. It cranks great, just won't fire so that MIGHT be the problem.

I planned on buying a charger/tender anyhow to maintain the batteries over the winter so I don't think of it as a possibly pointless expense but something I was going to need/use anyhow.

What I am not sure is what exactly do I need to look for? I've done some searching of key words but most posts discuss what people have and not what was involved/needed in their decision making.

Is there something in particular I need? I have a tractor supply down the street and I know they carry several different models with a wide range of features and pricing.

Can someone point me in the right direction? Hell, if you can shoot me a link to the tractor supply item, that would make my options simple.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Brent]

I would pull the batteries and ask a friend to fully charge them for at least 24 hrs then take to a place that will a perform a free load test (NAPA,WalMart,Autozone, Pepboys) and voltage test for a base line. Clean the posts and electrical connections with wire brush or sandpaper and apply dielectric or marine grease.
My first charger was purchased from Sears and works fine. I bought an older version of this unit http://www.batterychargers.com/ProductD ... 94026909AL
at Kmart several yrs for $50 at Xmas blue light special . There was no bad rush and I survived. :lol:
I would continue to ask questions and check the entire electrical and fuel systems

 

[Bryan 2530]

Depends on what you are looking to do.

Permanently mounted? Trickle charge? Maintain? Jump Start?

I have a Battery Tender Waterproof model that works well for storage.

 

[Hannibal]

Depends on what you are looking to do.

Permanently mounted? Trickle charge? Maintain? Jump Start?

I have a Battery Tender Waterproof model that works well for storage.

Doesn't need to be permanently mounted. Would need to trickle charge as I suspect it's down (I will know for sure this week). Would also need it to maintain once fully charged.

Basically the boat sits on a trailer more than it gets use (maybe once/twice a month unfortunately). So there is a lot of down time between outings. So I'd need something that could keep the batteries fully charged between uses and keep things topped off during the off-season.

 

[Bryan 2530]

I use this on mine, works good to maintain strong batteries.

 

[Megabyte]

Here is the thread I created in the Projects area when I installed my Guest charger/maintainer.
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4662

Unfortunately, the host that was storing my photos in that posting is now gone, so here is a shot of the unit I installed.

 

[jacksdad]

What exactly do those boat mounted 'chargers' do? The motor charges the batteries so....what exactly do you need another 'box' for?

i've used the battery tender brand product for an old car with twin batt's that lived in my garage without much use in the winter....fantastic product saved me from having to buy new $220 (each!) Sonnenschiens every year.

 

[Megabyte]

What exactly do those boat mounted 'chargers' do? The motor charges the batteries so....what exactly do you need another 'box' for?

If you have a spring with extended periods of rain (or a summer tropical storm), it gives you piece of mind that the batteries don't discharge and leave you without working bilge pumps.
If you had power drawing items on board (underwater lights, deck lights, bait tanks, ect) that were being used at the dock, the maintainer keeps your batteries in peak condition so you don't start your day with partially discharged batteries.

I don't plug mine in very often as the bilge pumps are my only power draw, but when those nor-easters and tropical storms come to visit, I don't have to sit home and worry anymore.
I did plug mine in overnight just before I pulled the boat for the season to make sure the batteries were full up.
I'll do the same in the spring before I launch.

It's a convenience and piece of mind thing.

 

[Hannibal]

I am hoping my issue is a product of little use as in my boat doesn't get used enough to fully charge the batteries when running. This will also allow me some peice of mind when stored for winter and allow me to work on the boat (under cover) and be able to use the deck lights/accessories without worrying about draining them down. I am hoping this is the cause of my starting issue where as the batteries aren't juiced enough to allow the motor to fire. It's a long shot but a problem I keep reading about.

 

[jacksdad]

So the box allows you to plug batts into shore power for charging when boat isn't running? Like a normal battery charger/jumper that is always tied to batts i guess?

 

[Megabyte]

So the box allows you to plug batts into shore power for charging when boat isn't running? Like a normal battery charger/jumper that is always tied to batts i guess?

That would be correct.

 

[jeffnick]

And if you have two batteries, one of these gizmos will let you use a single/simple charger. It will combine your batteries automatically whenever there is a charging voltage to either battery. Simple 3 wire hookup (one to each battery and one to ground); add one more wire for remote operation. $60

http://yandina.com/c100InfoR3.htm