On Board Battery Charger - Best Unit???

Post by **Lunker Larry** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:23 pm

Going to be going down to the Toronto fishing show and hope to purchase a 2 bank onboard battery charger, minimum 10 amps.

Any suggestions on what brand I should get or the type of things I should look or look out for?

I'd appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

Post by **Erie-Eyes** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:24 am

Hi Lunker Larry. I don't have a lot of experience with electronics, and relied on the experience of my dealer and had a Guest Charge Pro 10 amp charger installed on my boat when I first bought it six years ago. Since then it has worked flawlessly, and I have been extremely pleased with results - still using same gel battery for my Minn Kota.

Post by **swampbuster** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 10:50 pm

I had bad luck with a minn kota even though it was mounted under cover water still got inside the unit and wrecked it. I have had a Guest for about 5 years now and it has been great.

Russ

Post by **Lunker Larry** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:25 am

Thanks for the feedback.

I've never heard of Guest. Do you know if any of the dealers at the sportsman show will be selling them??

Swampbuster..funny you had water probs with the minnkota. You'd figure that, for such a prominent brand name, making sure it is water proof would be a no brainer. Not having any experience with on board chargers, from what I had read, I was leaning towards a Bass Pro Shop Model or the MinnKota.

Thanks again. Much appreciated.

Post by **eye-tracker** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 1:18 pm

Lunker Larry,

The all around best chargers I have every used are the Dual Pro chargers. You can mount them anywhere and they last. I have one over 5 years old and never a problem.

http://www.dualpro.com/

They also make a charge on the run model that will charge a second bank of batteries from your big motor alternator when running.

-sheldon

Post by **spinner** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 1:22 pm

I second Eye Tracker on the dual pro.

I've had mine for 10-15 years with no problems.

Post by **Lunker Larry** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 2:34 pm

Ref the Dual Pro. Is there a distributor in the Ottawa area?

Thanks.

Post by **spinner** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 2:45 pm

Lunker Larry wrote:Ref the Dual Pro. Is there a distributor in the Ottawa area?

Thanks.

Bass Pro carries them so stores like Paddletales should be able to get you one.
Most marine dealers can likely order them as well.

Post by **Lunker Larry** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 2:51 pm

Thanks everyone for all the info. Iv'e got myself a game plan now and an idea on what's on the market. Can't believe all the advertising hype.
Thanks again.

Larry