Charging a marine battery?

[berke99]

Just wondering what setting to use on my charger (deep cycle or starter battery setting)to charge the marine starter battery in my boat?

[Whoaru99]

Wellllll....is it a deep cycle battery or a starting battery?

[berke99]

It's my understanding that a marine battery is a cross between a starter battery and a deep cycle battery. I use the marine battery for my starter and for my gps, depth finder and boat radio. I have 2 seperate deep cycle batteries for my electric 24 volt trolling motor. So I'm wondering which setting to use on the marine battery. Maybe it doesn't matter, I don't know.

[JimBuck]

I usually do a trickle charge at 2A on the deep cycle and starting battery. If in a pinch, I crank it up to 6A but just need to check the battery status more often. Hopefully that gives you an idea.

[Pickelfarmer]

I use the 2Amp as well. I have also been told that it is best to drain the power out of the battery before you charge it. I guess the bat has a memory???

[Whoaru99]

I use the 2Amp as well. I have also been told that it is best to drain the power out of the battery before you charge it. I guess the bat has a memory???

Might be a good idea for NiCads, etc., but it's not a good plan for lead-acid batteries. Doing so is extremely hard on them.

[Whoaru99]

It's my understanding that a marine battery is a cross between a starter battery and a deep cycle battery. I use the marine battery for my starter and for my gps, depth finder and boat radio. I have 2 seperate deep cycle batteries for my electric 24 volt trolling motor. So I'm wondering which setting to use on the marine battery. Maybe it doesn't matter, I don't know.

I'd use the normal charge cycle.

[solbes]

I use the higher amperage in the beginning and switch to the lower amp setting. It's a manual charger though, so I have to make sure I don't overcharge.