Onboard Charger & 24v Trolling Motor

[bigbluepirahna]

I need help selecting and hooking up an onboard charger for my two deep cycle batteries for my 24v trolling motor. Do I need a charger that will handle a system where the batteries are hooked together for 24v, or will any one do. My trolling motor leads go one to each battery and then the two batteries are hooked together. How do I hook up the charger?

Thanks for you help!

[walleyemaniac]

I've got a Promariner and it's set up to hook both batteries up seperately (one bank to each battery). It won't back feed on itself with the two batteries hooked together. I think, but I'm not sure, most of your newer chargers are set up this same way. Most of the chargers will specify on the box if they will handle 12v,24v,36v. Some guys go with a 3 bank so they can charge their start battery as well. Whatever you buy I would go with a tournament series if offered they seem to hold up better. Good Luck

[PerchJerker]

I agree, a 2-bank charger will connect to each battery (red and black wire to each battery). If you have a 3rd battery in your boat you should really consider a 3-bank charger so you can charge and maintain your starting battery as well.

On-Board Chargers Here

[CRFan1]

I have a question....I have a 3 bank Guest 15 amp (5/5/5) on my new Alumacraft and it works fine but it seems to take a while to charge the trolling motor batteries. Is there an advantage to going with a 30 amp charger (10/10/10). I am guessing the 5amps will be better on the batteries from a charging standpoint but I completely drained my trolling motor batteries last week and it took over 12 hours to get the "green" light on

Can the batteries affect charge time? I am not sure but they probably gave me crappy batteries with the boat - I drained them (70 pound 24 volt power drive) in 4 hours, 2 of which were spent close to full power trolling. I would think they should go longer??

[TR21HP]

The higher amp charger will get you charged quicker and they really aren't any harder on the batteries than the weaker ones. One question, are you keeping the charger plugged in when not on the water?

[CRFan1]

The higher amp charger will get you charged quicker and they really aren't any harder on the batteries than the weaker ones. One question, are you keeping the charger plugged in when not on the water?

I'm not but I plug it in at least once a week overnight. Being that this charger is new I am going to live with it but you live and learn. I should have asked and upgraded My worry is when I go on my trips to Minnesota/Wisonsin this summer, I will be of course fishing alot and not get a full charge by morning.

[TR21HP]

Those chargers are meant to be plugged in all the time. If my boat isn't in the water its plugged in. That is a problem with a weaker charger- back to back fishing days. Maybe try to sell yours and upgrade if it becomes too big of an inconvenience.

[CRFan1]

Those chargers are meant to be plugged in all the time. If my boat isn't in the water its plugged in. That is a problem with a weaker charger- back to back fishing days. Maybe try to sell yours and upgrade if it becomes too big of an inconvenience.

Thanks for the info. I am going to just live with it because aside from a trip to upper whitefish and the Chippewa flowage, I won't really ever have any back to back trips going on and if it will do at least 85% It will carry me through the day just fine.

[TR21HP]

Have fun with the new boat!

[fishit]

Is there a brand that seems to be a better value than another, ones to stay away from? Thanks

[TR21HP]

Guest, Dual Pro or Minn Kota all make very good chargers

[CRFan1]

Have fun with the new boat!

Thanks! So far so good

[delcecchi]

How long will the charger be on? Typically batteries are like 80 Amp Hours or 5 amps for 16 hours if totally flat. Of course if you are planning on fishing until dark and starting again at dawn then you will need a bigger charger.

I can't do that very long before my body and my wife both start complaining. :-)

[blakeb]

+2 dual pro