On-board charger questions Part III

[Dahitman44]

This is part III of my on-board battery charging issues

Did I screw up?

I bought the 2-bank Dual Pro because (1) it was all the store had (2) the guy in the store and the guy at the boat place said I DO NOT need to charge the Suzuki 175 and (3) it was on sale.

Do you think they are right? Should the alternator keep that starting batter charged? He also said that the type of charge the Dual Pro puts on the starting battery is not suggested for the starting battery.

Thoughts?

Thanks for all of your help.

[BoxMN]

It will work fine, and no you don't NEED to charge the starter. ...but... if you do any fishing on no wake lakes, or you just putt-putt around, the alternator will not charge the battery back up. Now, that won't mean your battery will be dead after one night of no-waking it, not at all. But if you do several of these nights in a row without driving fast, then it could get low.

We initially had a two bank for our 24v system. Now we have a three bank, with one on the starter. Since then we have never had a battery problem. Before that we did, due to many nights of no-waking it without the chance of opening it up for a "recharge drive".

If it were me, I would return for 3 bank, but you don't HAVE to.

edit: BTW we use the Guest brand which output 10-10-3.

[marine_man]

It all depends on how you use your boat, as the previous poster stated. If you do some running between spots and don't putter around all day with your big motor you'll be just fine.

If all you do is putter around here and there and you're running the radio non stop as well as a bunch of other accessories you may need to top off your starting battery, but I think in general you will be fine.

Quote:

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He also said that the type of charge the Dual Pro puts on the starting battery is not suggested for the starting battery.

---

This sounds like a salesman being a salesman and wanting a little more commission to me. I don't know that I've ever heard that, and it certainly won't damage your starting battery by any means.

marine_man

[lazermule]

Can you charge 2 batts at 12v with one charger? Just hook them in parallel?

[marine_man]

Yes, you can do this.

If you have a 24 volt system though it's a different story.

marine_man

[Dahitman44]

Yeah -- 24 volt system.

[Dahitman44]

Nuts. Now I feel like I need to get that 3-bank. I knew I should have done that. The first time the charge is down I will be MAD at myself.

Hit.

[Giant_Jackpot]

Although it never hurts to have a charger on the starter battery, I don’t think you will have much of a problem. This is directly from the Suzuki web site:

The DF150 and DF175 are equipped with alternators

that produce a maximum output of 44A (12V) and are

capable of producing

almost 80% of their

total output at a low

1,000 RPM. In most

cases, that’s enough

power to keep an

assortment of electronics

up and running.

[DinkADunk]

My DF140 keeps my battery charged well. If I ever notice the charge droping (usually from trolling with my kicker at night) all I have to do is start the motor and run it for a few minutes. It doesn't take very long to charge the starting battery. I have a MarCum battery gauge installed on my boat to monitor my main and trolling batteries. There is no reason not to know the state of your batteries.

[caseymcq]

I went with a 3-bank charger and I am happy I did. I bumped a switch one night and turned the live well lights on. That was a Sunday, didn't check until Friday because I was going out Saturday. Checked the battery and it was dead. I plugged the charger in over night and it was charged by the time I was ready to go in the morning.

You probably don't NEED it, but it is nice to have it. Or you could look at it this way:

It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

I bought a Cabelas ProSport 20 plus and I have been extremely happy with it.

[PerchJerker]

Quote:

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It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

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Amen brother, you said it.

I have every one of my batteries on a charger, I am NOT taking a chance on a dead battery ruining a trip for me.

[bigdog]

I have the three bank model for 4 years and have not had any trouble, it doesn't hurt but can't say it is any better than the two bank.

[delmuts]

i think you'll be fine. i used to put my start batt. on a trickle charge once on a while to to be sure( but i fish a lot of no wake lakes too!).

[Dahitman44]

Thanks to all for the great information. I think I might go back and look for the three bank, but I am not sure. That extra bank is piece of mind -- and I need all of the pieces I can get.

[TravisC]

I run a 24v system on my ranger it came with a 3 bank dual pro and when i plug it in the starting batt. is always charged right up. so i dont think you need the 3 bank.

[rascalP]

D-man

Not sure how you charged you batteries before, but if you're like me, you got a regular ole charger from the old days. Keep your 2 bank and every once in a while or after a day of not running your big motor, or before a "must do" trip, hook up the Shaumacher. I got nearly 10 years on my crankin bat. (yeah, I know, I'm pretty much done with that one now - charging every time, can't run my lights, and carry jumper cables)

My current 2 bank has crapped out and I will be replacing it with another 2 bank. Bass Pro 2 bank -- $99. (If anybody's had a bad experience with this unit, please post.)

rascal