Flasher Battery Charging Questions

[Riich]

What's the proper procedure for recharging these batteries? Specifically for a LX-5, if that matters.

I've been told to run the battery completely dead and then charge it so it doesn't develop a memory, and then the next guy comes along and says to not do that, it will shorten battery life.

Do these batteries develop a memory?

My manual makes no mention of how to do it correctly.

Thanks.

[snapjigger]

If I remember right the gell batteries have no memory. I usually make a couple trips before recharging. Unless you are going to be out for an extended amount of time you should be able to make a couple three trips. Then I recharge about 1 hour for every 4 hours used. My battery is going on 4 years old and still holds a great charge...

[Brad B]

if you are running the LX5 then I assume it came with the digital charge/readout. if that is the case then just plug it in and charge. this unit will discharge then charge it and once it is fully charge it will continue to act as trickle charger and will not over charge the battery. I run a LX3 and as soon as I plug it in it goes from where ever it was when I got done using it (generally 60-70 % read out) down to 30% then if you check it a little bit latter it goes back up to where it started and beyond until it 100%

[jwhjr]

I just charge mine after every outing. I let the battery warm up to room temp and then charge away.

[Zoob]

The old concept of batteries having memory is just that -- old. It was with a certain type of rechargable battery many, many, many years ago. It doesn't relate to rechargeables made these days. Just connect up the charger and top it off, no worries.

[pulleye16]

Boy I think we could argue for days on this... Nicads Are awesome batteries but due develope memory. Now they have Li-ion batteries that don't develope memory but unlike the Nicads, you SHOULDN'T discharge them completely. GEL batteries are straight out junk. You have to charge them at realy slow rates and low voltage for the off-gasing or you could damage the cells making you battery worthless. The gel just prevents spills and really has no added features. AGM is the way to go. All th efeatures of Gel but can take the abuse. They should definetly be used for ice fishing as they don't freeze cause there is no liquid. Best off, AGM only self discharge 1-3% a month, charging rates and voltages are that of a standard lead battery...Basically, If your flasher can take an AGM, buy one!

[Riich]

Alrighty, I'm listening. But exactly what batteries come with these units? I'd go look for myself but I borrowed it out for the day.

Thanks again for the info.

[Esox_Magnum]

My LX's stay plugged in during the season, they get unhooked in the summer and charged 1-2 times a summer.

[cold one sd]

Alrighty, I'm listening. But exactly what batteries come with these units? I'd go look for myself but I borrowed it out for the day.

Thanks again for the info.

It came with a Sealed Lead Acid battery. Same thing that is in most cars, but not all of them are sealed. The one in your flasher has no more memory than the one in your vehicle.

[toomanyjigs]

showdown- going on 3-4 years never have charged in the summer just when i use it battery still lasts 24 hrs straight or on off all day for a 3 day weekend just charge till the battery light turns green and go batterys are ten bucks wich is less than what we spend in bait and jigs every other trip to the bait store does anybody else have these so called showdown problems? cause i want to buy another one! lol-jigs

[Iowabucks]

It's not good for a SLA battery to get discharged too much. I wouldn't let it get below 10v. Buy some type of charger that will charge, then go into trickle mode and can be left that way for any length of time. I bought a Vexilar charger that has alligator clips to hook up to the battery.

Just charge it evry couple times out, should be good enough.

[Riich]

Buy some type of charger that will charge, then go into trickle mode and can be left that way for any length of time.

I believe the charger that came with the LX5 does all that, correct?

[Ed Carlson]

The only thing I have to add to what has already been said is more often than not, the MarCums came with 7 amp batteries. If it comes time to replace yours, upgrade it to a 10 amp 12 V...you will be happier with it. And maintain it after every use, charge bimonthly in off season storage.

[Esox_Magnum]

Good point Ed.

[toomanyjigs]

or you could get a showdown have it work better all weekend without a charge and it too also comes with a trickle charger

[Riich]

or you could get a showdown have it work better

I want something that will actually show fish.

Seriously, how is a showdown going to work better?

Thanks for all the comments! My neighbor insists his battery developed a memory and the battery was toast on his second trip out. I think he just got an old battery, but who knows, maybe he had a defective unit to start with.

From my manual: The DCS (digital charging system) is a three-stage charger providing an initial bulk rate charge, slowing to an absorption charge, and finishing and maintaining with a trickle charge. This sophisticated charging and maintenance system allows you to leave the battery unattended without concern over damaging effects from overcharging.

[toomanyjigs]

nice job of editing i was talking about battery life of it lasting all weekend and i see the fish and take a closer look at them on the ice what does your manual say about that? just sayin it helps me catch fish-jigs

[bigbad401]

My Bird ICE35 lasts all weekend without charging and I see the fish. But this is a thread about chargers, not flashers.

Yep, just because the battery is new doesn't mean it can't be bad. Sounds like you are right, he go a defective battery from the start.

[Riich]

nice job of editing i was talking about battery life of it lasting all weekend and i see the fish and take a closer look at them on the ice what does your manual say about that? just sayin it helps me catch fish-jigs

I was making a joke about the Marcum seeing fish and the Showdown not. Glad to hear you like the Showdown, I have a friend that has one also and he loves his. We kid each other all the time about whose is better.

[pulleye16]

I talked to a service rep who works with batteries and he told me that Sealed lead batteries (which are used for flashers and some augers) DO and CAN develope memory. I haven't paid any special attention to my flasher battery and it seemed to hold up very well for 3 years now. Even though they develop memory, the rep said they should last 2-3 years...will last plenty longer but you'll start to see that it won't last as long. I'm replacing most of my batteries that die with the AGM style, unfortunatly I'll have to purchase chargers with them as well!

[cold one sd]

No offense, but I think I would talk to another service rep. If what he says is true, the battery in your vehicle will also develope a memory as it is more than likely a lead acid battery. I just replaced the battery in my wife's vehicle Friday and it was eight years old. The battery in my pickup is eleven years old and still going strong. Must be good memories.

[eurolarva]

I have spoken with people that are experts as well and found out that they weren't. The people that do the PM on our fork lifts wanted to put tap water in our batteries. This is an expert. I complained to his manager and he told me that international battery reps say tap water is fine for batteries. These are also experts. The reason you are suppose to use distilled water is because it has zero conductance and wont carry a charge. Tap water does carry a charge. Three months after the use of the tap water 2 of the four batteries started bulging and started venting gas. Best bet for a battery is to keep it charged. My charging battery for my boat somehow got sucked dry because I forgot to disconnect it from the motor and now it is dead. Put a charger on it and it wont come back.

[pulleye16]

The more info I read coldone you may be right. For every 5 articles that say they don't, 1 says it will, though others claim ALL batteries develop some type of memory. Though one would think that a battery WOULD develope some type of memory or why would a battery not last as long? The thing with your car is that it gets used almost every day and has an alternator to keep it ready and charged, fishing equipment runs, charges and then can sit for extended periods of time. ALL battery experts say you should NEVER just let any battery sit around un-used, you should atleast keep them on trickle charge. Well regardless, non of us use these for life support so a basic charge here and there should keep your batteries strong enough for the average user. One last note then I'm done...Most of the time a good charger is worth more then a battery, I was told once, spend twice as much on a scope then you would on your rifle.....