On-Board Chargers.

[rocstar]

It looks like one bank of my on-board charger is not working properly. The unit shows full charge on both batteries but when checking with a volt meter one battery is dead. If I switch the wires on the two batteries the dead battery then charges right up. Checked fuses and all are OK so it looks to me like something wrong with its brain. Anyone ever experienced this same problem?

Anyways looking to buy a new one. Any thoughts on a good brand charger or are they all pretty much the same? Looking at minimum 10 amp per bank unit.

[Hoey]

I had by 4 banker doing something similar last year. I contacted the PRO manufacturer's technical support who lead me through some troubleshoot steps towards determining it was a bad control board. I pulled the leads back, installing draw strings, removed the charger, and shipped it to them. For less than a $100 they sent me a new charger as the old one was no longer supported by replacement parts.

[rocstar]

Surprised no other comments to this point as I know many people have these on-board chargers. The two most common are the Pro Sport and Minn Kota. For a 2-bank 20 amp unit the Pro Sport weighs 5 lbs whereas the Minn Kota is 15 lbs. The Minn Kota also sports a price that is about 50% more $.

Not sure if the higher weight is a good or bad thing. More heat sink? More or less likely to be damaged from pounding in the waves?

Any more thoughts before I make a move?

[delmuts]

I've been very pleased with my units from Dual Pro. My old three bank went bad. They were helpful in trouble shooting problems! Sent it in and they rebuilt it. Have a three bank 10 amp on my new Ranger.

[h8go4s]

If you're a guide, professional or hardcore tournament fisherman, you'll probably want the best available. If you're an occasional weekender, the lower cost options will probably last you many years. DualPro and MinnKota might be the top two on the market. ProMariner and Guest are more economy types in my opinion. Cabela's has a store brand that's probably good; I don't know who makes it. I have a 2-bank ProMariner that's at least 5 years old and still works fine. If I had to replace it, I wouldn't hesitate to get another just like it. Most people like the one they own, like Ford vs. Chevy.

[Northlander]

I have had my 2 bank Minkota charger for 8 years with no issues.