bank charger

[bostonwhaler]

K, here is the scoop. I have 1 battery out of a LAV ( big butt battery ) for my gas motor, fish finder, bildge, livewell. 2 deep cycle batteries for my 24v trolling motor. Do i get a 3 bank charger or a 2. I have never charged my starter battery before so why now? any advice form you guys is awesome, as well as best brand.

Thanks for the tips in advance

[lape0019]

I have a 3 bank charger for a similar setup. When I bought the boat, it had a 2 bank in it but I only had a 12 volt TM so it worked. When I upgraded to 24V, I just went a head and bought a 3 bank. After each use, the cranking battery is low enough to need a charge so I have just always done it that way.

If the battery is not fully charged, it will result in a shortened life of that battery. How much it gets shortened i cannot say but my cranking battery is the same one that came with the boat and it is now 7 years old and still going strong. I think it may be close to time to change it though as it has had a good run.

The deep cycle I replaced last year was reading 12.45 volts when I got rid of it. I just didnt want to take the chance and only buy one battery for the new system.

Adam

[pasquini]

K, here is the scoop. I have 1 battery out of a LAV ( big butt battery ) for my gas motor, fish finder, bildge, livewell. 2 deep cycle batteries for my 24v trolling motor. Do i get a 3 bank charger or a 2. I have never charged my starter battery before so why now? any advice form you guys is awesome, as well as best brand.

Thanks for the tips in advance

The problem with a 2 bank setup is that you are relying on the outboard to recharge the starting battery. Unless you are making frquent high speed, sustained runs the outboard may not have enough output to recharge the starting battery especxially if the fish finder, livewell, bilge are being used extensively during a long day on the water. As Adam said above, leaving batteries in a semi-charged state shortens the life span and you increase the risk of the staring battery letting you down.

From a cost comaprison, a MinnKota MK330 (3 bank/10amp per bank) will run you $295 plus tax at lebarons. The 2 bank version (MK220) is $232. To me the extra $60 is worth the peace of mind knowing all the batteries are covered. There is also a $30 mail-in rebate on both models until the end of June.

Peter

[bcjohnso99]

Nothing wrong with the 3 bank charger idea but...

I run all accessories off my trolling motor batteries so there is no draw when the main engine is off. So its probably better to call them the "house bank".

Then I have 2 chargers, a 12 Volt charger to charge the "house bank" from the main engine alternator so I always have accessories when running and a 120V charger for to bring the "house bank" back to full charge at the end of the day.

That way I never have to worry about the main battery being drained by accidentally leaving an accessory on during shore trips.

EDIT: I also don't have to worry about the main battery being drained after a day trolling for salmon with my kicker which does not have an alternator. Alternatively, you could just carry a set of jumper cables to boost from the trolling motor battery if the main did get drained. Have to think about this stuff when you're fishing 15 km off-shore!

Brian.

[Mick]

I have the same setup. I have a 3 bank charger. My boat is on its 7th year and the crank battery is the original and it is just fine

Mick

[Roblin]

A couple of years ago I installed a Blue Sea Automatic Charge Relay. It allows me to use all my batteries for everything including my trolling motor. When the start battery is getting low the relay separates the start battery from the house battery so you still have power to start your boat. Works great and never had a problem. I use my trolling motor all day and by the time a run back to the dock my batteries are fully charged. You can also charge all your batteries by charging any one battery. I use a cheap car battery charger and it works fine. The relay is about $80.00 and takes a couple of hours to install. Instructions are good and their customer rep. is super to talk to. If you decide to get one buy a Blue Sea Busbar for your ground connections. You can get everything from Pride Marine in Kingston. They have a web site and do mail order. They're also great people to deal with. Hope this helps.

[Raminator]

I use a 3 bank to run my 3 troller batts charged evenly,36v,and just charge the main batt in the shop during the week,