Can I maintain the charge on a 12 volt deep cycle battery?

[Tomcat]

I need some help please. I recently purchased a new 15 HP four stroke manual start Honda outboard. The spec sheet says the motor's alternator will output 6 amps at 3000 rpm. I telephoned the Honda technical department and they said that the alternator will output 1 to 2 amps at trolling speed (90 % of my day on the water will be at trolling speed).

First question

If I connect the alternator cables to my 12 volt deep cycle battery, would I be able to maintain my deep cycle battery at full charge while using the deep cycle battery to power a colour sonar unit (draws 1.5 amps per hour)?

I did read in another thread that deep cycle batteries had to be recharged at 10 amps. However, I have always recharged my deep cycle battery (6 years of operation now) at 2 amps.

Second question

Are there any connection caveats for me to be concerned about when I connect my sonar unit to my deep cycle battery (that has connections to my motor's alternator)?

Thanks in advance.

[mikemicropterus]

We keep getting these battery questions I think I should do a little battery 101.

To answer your first question, NO

The battery needs 10 amps to overcome the charge in the battery. It will send 10 amps and measure the resistance then maintain the 10 amps or decrease depending on demands. 1 amp is not enough to overcome that initial resistance so it will not push anything into the battery.
It's like trying to get into a room when someone is holding the door, if you are strong enough you will get in but if you cannot overcome the resistance then you are going to stay outside.


Second question NO red to positive and black to negative.


Go to CT this week they have deep cycle battery chargers on sale and the nautilus one is 40 bucks and it works fine. Your best secnario is to charge the battery up after you use it and it will lat a very long time. Check fluid level once a year and fully charge before putting away for winter.