Charge Time

[mntraveler]

Just bought a battery and charger this weekend. I got (what I thought to be) a good charger from Fleet (2 amp/10 amp/ 50amp) and a decent dual use battery from batteries plus. I used it for a few hours on a trolling motor (W/O charging) and then when to charge it on the 2 amp setting. My question is, how long should it take for the charger to click to "full charge?" I let it go for almost a full day and didn't want the battery to explode so I unplugged it. Hopefully I haven't ruined a brand new battery. Sorry for a scattered post but I am new to the game. Thanks.

[Dave]

Put the charger on and let 'er go Did you buy a "smart charger" that automatically steps down the charge rate and then shuts off? A 2-amp charge on a dead deepcycle will take quite awhile.

[blakjack23]

I'm assuming since it can click to "full charge" that it will automatically shut off or trickle once the battery is full. If so, do what Dave said and just let 'er go! He's right, it could take quite awhile at 2amps.

[Satchmo]

A typical deep cycle battery has a capacity of 105 amps. When you set your charger to 2 amps, it will put out approximately 2 amps per HOUR. This is a simplified version, but a dead battery could take 2 days with a constant rate charger to be completely charged at a 2 amp rate. I would suggest with a fairly low battery to run the charger at the 10 amp setting for a few hours and then drop down to the 2 amp charge for good absorbtion.

[mntraveler]

Wow, quick replies....

When I started charging it was about 50% full and read 100% (but the "full charge" light didn't come on) for many hours. Will it hurt the battery to start the again or should I use it before recharging?

[ChuckN]

You have the trickle charger, I have the same model you have. Put it on 10 amp and let it go, it will automatically decrease amps as the battery is charged and eventually quit charging.

The 2 amp feature is popular to slowly charge a large battery for days, or to charge a small motorcycle/lawnmower battery.

10 amp is to charge a typical deep cycle.

50 amp is to give a automobile (starting) battery a very quick charge to start in a short period of time. Cold winter days, etc...

There are many days I plug in this charger on the boat battery and leave it overnight. It's fully automatic... Plug it in again on 10amp and let it go.

[Fisher Dave]

My batteries are rated at 205 reserve.. when they are dead on a 10 amp charger(max) it can take 2 days to get a charge.

2 amp if its dead and a big battery.. I would expect that little full charge light to come on in... September??

[BIG DS]

SATCHMO put it the easiest. If you have an overnight to charge the battery, hit with 10 amp first for a couple of hours then 2 amp over night. Most of your automatic on-board chargers are set up to run 10 amp to near full and then 2 amp to get proper saturation. This will keep the battery full and it will last longer also.

[mntraveler]

Thanks guys!