2 amp or 12 amp setting for trolling battery?

[Mr.J.]

I'm pretty sure I have always used the 12 amp setting when I recharge the trolling motor battery but last night I found my charger on the 2 amp setting and now I am questioning my memory.

So is it the 12 amp setting or the 2 amp setting.

And I know someone will ask, so yes it was set to deep cycle as well.

My money is on the 12 amp but there has to be a reason I found it set to 2 amps.........right?

[SkeeterJohn]

There was talk of this last year and I beleive the outcome was higher is better... i charge at the 10 amp settting.

[Wallyboss]

i'm not sure but i think 12 amps for up to 90%of full charge then 2 amps for remainder. i'm pretty sure i read this somewhere

[Bender]

I've always set it at 2 amp and let it trickle for a day or two.
gives a good deep charge

WK

[DV_8]

From what I was told, it's always better to charge your battery at the lower setting such as 2 amp/trickle charge to give the battery a better chance to energize. If you need the battery in a hurry then you can use the 12 amp setting. Also, it is better to use an automatic charger with overcharge protection and a selection switch for deep cycle or regular batteries. Another thing is sometimes people get confused with the type of meter they have on their chargers. If it's a volt meter, the reading will increase on the meter showing total volts of the battery as opposed to an amp meter which shows the amount of current being drawn. When the battery is fully charged, a volt meter may show up to 13.5 volts as an amp meter will show o amps being drawn. There are also new battery chargers on the market called " Intelegent Battery Charger" which automaticaly adjusts the charging rate to match the battery's requirements. Something like plug it, set it and forget it!

[steve-hamilton]

you definately want to trickle charge at 2 amps.

[eye-tracker]

Wow...guess I need to sell my 2bank 15 amp Dual Pro charger.


-et

[Mr.J.]

I just found my owners manual for the charger.

it states to use the 2amp setting for small (35ah or less) 12 volt batteries and 12 amp for larger batteries.

Now I remember, I do use the 12 amp setting.

[glenn]

The myth about trolling motor batteries (deep cycle) charging is still as much a dilema now as it was 10 years ago. Talk to 10 anglers you get 10 different versions on the correct way to charge. After selling batteries to anglers for years the myth continues. If I may be the eleventh view here is the goods. Simple rule of thumb use it charge it. After you have finished for the day put the battery on the charger which should be a 10 amp charger or higher. It's better to blast a charge back into the battery over a shorter period of time than to use a 2 amp trickle charge which could take as much as 20-24 hours to charge full. Trickle charging cooks the plates over extended periods of time which can damage those plates resulting in a shorter life of your new battery. Charging as soon as your finished using the battery will help avoid memory in the battery. Your charger can be the best there is on the market and it says your battery is fully charged but with a volt meter the meter says it is only 66% charged. Well the charger did charge the battery to 100% but it is now 100% of 66% of capacity. Hope this helps. Glenn

[Graembo]

Glenn has it.....NO LOW AMP TRICKLE CHARGES...

read the bible here:
http://www.marine-electronics.net/techa ... /b_faq.htm

My deep cycles last over 4 seasons and I pound 'em on a 24V Motorguide

oya...I never add water....I add the sulf acid when needed...get it at a farm supply store if your marina doesn't carry it

G

[Rideaufish]

In my buissness we deal with a lot of batterys and fire trucks NEED to start most trucks have auto chargers slam the batts with high amps then go in to a float where they charge when needed. Always use an automatic charger and you will be fine and you dont have to spend the morgiage (sp) Becareful with non auto chargers as if you forget them they will boil the batt dry.

[Mr.J.]

I love this stuff.

I can remember before I found fish-hawk how difficult it could be to find info on the web and now all I have to do is ask.

[MichaelVandenberg]

oya...I never add water....I add the sulf acid when needed...get it at a farm supply store if your marina doesn't carry it

Ever use the Battery Equalizer from Minn kota?

Thinking of trying it. Deep cycle needs some new life (if that is possible). Apparently you use this every 5 years on a battery.

BTW, Minn Kota has a Battery FAQs web page. Check it out.

Mike

[QuakerOatz]

During research for my various 12v projects, I've found a few great resources to share:
<a href="http://www.cmsquick.com/tech_03_batsys.html">Wiring Diagrams for many different scenarios</a>
<a href="http://batterytender.com/connecting.php">Connecting batterys and chargers</a>
<a href="http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow ... .htm">Deep Cycle Primer</a>

[Graembo]

oya...I never add water....I add the sulf acid when needed...get it at a farm supply store if your marina doesn't carry it

Ever use the Battery Equalizer from Minn kota?

Thinking of trying it. Deep cycle needs some new life (if that is possible). Apparently you use this every 5 years on a battery.

BTW, Minn Kota has a Battery FAQs web page. Check it out.

Mike

Nah never strayed from what works for me....if it ain't broke don't fix it.....the acid is prolly cheaper too....but if you try it let us know how it works.

G