On board battery charger recommendations?

[norm25]

The boat has a 24V trolling motor and I am looking for advice. With the 2 batteries for the trolling motor and the starting battery do I need a 3 bank or will a 2 bank be sufficient? What brands do you prefer?

I fish only 1 or 2 days per week if that makes a difference and was hoping for it to have some type of maintenance setting as well. Thanks in advance.

Norm

[snoozebutton]

Definitely go with a 3 bank.

I went with a MinnKota and am happy with it. Dual Pro is probably a better all around unit if you want to pay the extra money for one.

Dave (PerchJerker) has all of them available (that's where I got mine), his prices are comparable and his service is second to none. You can check them out here.

[delmuts]

I agree with a three bank! Then you know all of your batt. are charged.My vote is for the dual pro. Mine have treated me well.

[WaveWacker]

I went with a 2 bank originally and probably should have went with a 3 but instead installed a seperate very small trickle type charger that I picked up at Fleet Farm. I however don't fish all that much during the week and just on trips, so I'll make sure the motor/electronics battery is charged before I go and I'm good for the trip on that battery.

My guess is for the price difference, you'll want to go 3 bank so then all batteries are done.

[PerchJerker]

You should get 1 bank for each battery. The chargers are automatic and have maintenance modes, so you plug them in and can forget about them until the next time you go out. A good charger should extend your battery life and performance by keeping your batteries fully charged.

If you only fish 1 or 2 days a week --- so you have time to recharge your batteries before you go out again --- you can go with a smaller charger, ie. fewer amps per bank, like 5 or 6 amp charger instead of a bigger charger like 10 or 15 amps per bank.

Dual Pro and Minn Kota are both good brands ......

[marine_man]

If you can afford a 3 bank dual pro that's what I'd go with.

You can get by with 2 banks, but the way I look at it, if you can afford it, the amount of time I get on the water isn't often enough in my opinion, and if adding that 3rd bank will reduce the chance that my starting battery is dead it's worth the extra money.

marine_man

[bucketmouth64]

Make sure you have the room to install a 3 bank charger depending how big your compartment is in your boat. If room is not a problem go with a 3 bank. I have both a single MK and 2 bank dual pro and both have done a good job.

[SM1]

Go with the 3 bank and be done with it!

I have a 315 minnkota (5 amp/bank)and it has worked very well. It has a maintain mode after the batteries are fully charged, and you could leave it plugged in all winter if you wanted.

[norm25]

I see the dual pro has 3 different lines professional, sportsman, and recreation, besides the differences in amps are there any drastic differences?

Which model would you all recommend?

[delmuts]

The first one i bought was a two bank. It worked but it got to be a pain to put a trickle charger on the starting batt. once in a while. You will feel spoiled with a three. Just plu it in when you get home and the next morning everything is ready to go.

[whitebassman]

Ordered my new boat today. I asked the dealer if it was better to go with a three bank, as two bank was their standard. They said the cranking motor would be recharged by the alternator on the main engine. It puts out enough to recharge the battery simultaneously like an auto engine. Is this true? It seems all the responses favor 3 bank, or is overkill?

[PerchJerker]

3 is not overkill. Having your starting battery on an on-board charger will lengthen the battery life, and will keep it properly maintained and ready to go when you are.

Just an fyi, most dealers and boat manufacturers go with onboard chargers that cover all the batteries including starting batteries ..... it's not very often that you hear of them doing an onboard charger for only the deep cycle batteries.

[whitebassman]

son of a b...I may have to ask for a three bank charger instead.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I see the dual pro has 3 different lines professional, sportsman, and recreation, besides the differences in amps are there any drastic differences?

Which model would you all recommend?

Go with the Professional series no matter what brand you buy!

They are usually much better built and are more likely to give your batteries a true (full charge)!

A 3 bank is great but a 2 bank will work fine if you do not fish every day.

Most motors will maintain your starting battery just fine if the battery is not to old. Some motors do charge your starting battery better then others though!

I have had my best luck with a Pro Mariner charger, but the MinnKota charger also worked well for me.

Cliff

[delmuts]

Alot depends on the type of waters you fish! If you are running much of the time at 1/2 or highier throttle then yes, the outboard will recharge your stating battery, but if you idle or troll alot then you will want to have a three bank.

[walleyemaniac]

I've got a Promariner 100 Pro Tournament it's only a 2 bank for my trolling motor batteries but it will get them charged up over night,even with a short night. Had mine for about 5-6 years now without any problems. I know some don't like them but I haven't had problems with mine. The only time I wish I had 3 banks is in the winter when it's in storage just to keep it charged up in the boat without having to charge the start battery on a seperate charger. (Plug the onboard in and leave it alone) My motor keeps my start battery charged just fine and I do alot of fishing without the main motor running. Still using whatever I need to as far as electronis all day without any problems. Just get a big enough start battery with enough capacity to last a while and you'll be fine. A 3 bank would be nice like everyone else says, if you've got the extra money spend it.

[fishit]

walleyemaniac why don't people like them(promariner)...is there a consistent problem with them? I was looking at these today and thought about pulling the trigger on the 2 bank pro sport. thanks

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I had some trouble with my last Pro Mariner but I called them and they shipped me a new one immediately! 3 days! All I had to do was return the old one in the box I received the new one in, No extra costs at all.

Cliff

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I just bought a brand new Minn Kota 330 (3)bank (30) amp from the electronic auction site. It was $228 to my door, NOT including the $30 mail in rebate, so $198. The big C store wants about $345 after tax and shipping. I was originally going to get the big C brand charger (ProMariner) because it was quite a bit cheaper, but the review are mixed at best. I couldn't find any bad reviews on the Minn Kota's.

[fishwater]

Are Dual Pro units really that good? I'm on my third unit in less than 3 years; luckily it's been replaced under warranty both times. The first was Ranger branded, second was a 3 bank pro. If my current charger goes, I'm pretty sure I'll be looking at Minn Kota products.

[Northlander]

I have ran Dual Pro and one other I cant remember. Maybe Pro Mariner but my Minnkota has been bulletproof the past 6 years.

[wplatehunter]

I have had Minnkota chargers in my last two boats. Never had any problems with them.

[mamohr686]

I've also had problems with dual pro chargers. My first one had the indicator lights go out, and a second one that would severely overcharge my batteries and cause them to fry within the year. I went to a minnkota charger and have not any a single problem. The 330 is heavy and long so double check to see if you have the space for it. The 3 bank is the way to go if you run your electronics, bilge pumps etc., off of the cranking battery. If you make a short run back to the dock, your cranking battery won't be fully charged and ruin the life of the battery (if you let it sit partially charged).

[Hookmaster]

I've run the same Dual Pro 2-bank 10 amps per bank for 14 years with no issues. I bought another 1-bank 10 amp last year for my starting battery due to all the graphs, gps I run now. I like the Dual Pro because there are no mounting restrictions and generate very little heat.