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Posts: 38
Location: Lakeville, MN | I was recently on a trip at a place I've gone to for a few years, and for whatever reason, the breakers kept tripping on two of the three docks. One night, one dock could only charge 3 of the 8 boats without tripping. Things got a little ugly, with a walleye guide yelling at a fisherman that was up for a week, telling him he can't plug in at the main outlet, and instead plug in at the end of the dock...the fisherman yelled right back at him, telling him he can't charge at the end of the dock because it kept tripping.
One morning, I was ready to hit it hard as always, only to find out that someone unplugged my cord; happened to a friends boat too. Totally ruined my morning on a great weather day.
Would love thoughts on overcoming a potential disaster like this. I did bring up a charger, I would have manually removed a battery at a time and charged in my cabin had I known, but what a pain. My plan for next year is to bring 300 feet of thick electrical cord (to handle higher amperage), with a lighted plug, and charge out of my cabin. If the resort fixes their issue, at least I'll have a backup. Also, a three way plug so my buddies can tie in if needed.
With all the time and money spent pursuing our passion, it's terrible for something like this to happen. Any other ideas? No one else was prepared for this, we all had regular cords. So consider this a public service announcement for others going on trips, and I'd love to hear other ideas. A friend of mine is also thinking about bringing a little generator next year.
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Posts: 133
| Get a minn kota DC charger.... Charges trolling motor batteries off the engine... Best $200 I ever spent |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Any idea what wound up being the problem with power at the docks, and wouldn't the power to your cabin have come from the same source? |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | Time to find a new resort.
I’ve never seen this be an issue anywhere I’ve ever stayed.
Edited by Musky Brian 7/22/2018 9:37 PM
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Posts: 38
Location: Lakeville, MN | Thanks for the replies. I will look into the DC charger, that sounds great. The cabin power was fine...apparently, when it rains, the breakers on the dock trip! This is a rather well known resort at a well known lake, crazy and totally unacceptable |
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Posts: 20180
Location: oswego, il | All of what happened should have been made aware to the resort and been a priority. If it wasn't a priority to fix or.solve the issue another way, find another resort.
Edited by ToddM 7/22/2018 10:47 PM
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Posts: 759
Location: Ames, Iowa | I am confused about these on board chargers. I have 2 size 27 Interstates in parallel to run my trolling motor. It lasts almost forever with both batteries, although I know the two are only as good as the weakest battery. I charge from my place when the boat is out of the water. I have read the Minnkota 2 bank charger box and looked at them online, yet I still have very elementary questions. I really am a simpleton on trying to figure this out.
I see guys plug in their boat at night on the dock or at their place even though they have an onboard charger. Why do they do this? Like an alternator on my motor that charges my starting battery as I motor, the same alternator works through the Minnkota to charge the trolling motor batteries while underway- do I have that right? Are all the connections included with buying one of these? Does it only charge trolling motor batteries when I am underway? Does it store a charge and continue to charge at the dock? Is the real benefit that I am charging while underway vs. plugging in at night like I do now? Thanks for any answers. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | If you have 2 tm batteries that can go all day (15-16 hours) on LOTW, especially in high winds, you have some great batteries! The DC charger mentioned above is not in lieu of, it is in addition to, your two bank charger that you plug in at the end of the day when you get home or back to camp. It runs off the alternator of your big motor, and charges the trolling motor batteries when the amperage is up enough (usually more than idle or slow troll) and when the cranking battery is sufficiently charged (usually 13 v), then the excess goes to your tm batteries. I have the Stealth charger and it is hands down the slickest thing for a bigger body of water like LOTW when you have a decent run between spots with the big motor. |
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Posts: 759
Location: Ames, Iowa | I am on Leech and make some 4 and 6 mile runs one way. I troll a lot as well. I try to use the trolling motor sparingly. I find myself more and more using the wind to blow quietly into spots. |
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Posts: 1126
Location: Minnesota. | ToddM - 7/22/2018 10:45 PM
All of what happened should have been made aware to the resort and been a priority. If it wasn't a priority to fix or.solve the issue another way, find another resort.
Totally!! That sort of problem should never happen or at the very least be corrected ASAP if it does. Things happen but ... or never return! |
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Posts: 20180
Location: oswego, il | People parking on your dock bumpers is a no no as well. |
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Posts: 1220
| Had a really tough experience with that on a resort on Cass lake last summer. The place was full of tournament boats and that can make an angry bunch really mad. I’m still a little mad even now the resort didn’t plan properly for musky guys who live and die with their bow mounts! The walleye pukes likely never put that kind of power demand. |
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Posts: 770
| I had a guy unplug my cord at my boat and use my cord to plug in his boat one time.... I was not a happy man.... |
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Posts: 1636
| If the guide is not employed by the resort... it is HIS responsibility to figure out a way to charge his boat... not the resorts.
If the guests could not properly charge their boat... there is no way I would agree with the guide making it harder for them to do so - regardless if he is employed by them.
Edited by Reelwise 7/24/2018 12:53 AM
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | T3clay - 7/23/2018 10:32 PM
I had a guy unplug my cord at my boat and use my cord to plug in his boat one time.... I was not a happy man....
That’s insane. |
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Posts: 20180
Location: oswego, il | I was staying at a motel up in the northwoods over memorial day weekend, about the only boat there, mostly atvers and they unplugged me every evening. Had no battery by monday. Parked well out of the way too. FIB tag can get you sometimes.
Edited by ToddM 7/24/2018 7:05 AM
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Posts: 33
| This is why I always bring my Honda EU2000 with every time I go on a trip. |
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Posts: 1516
| I would resist the urge to bring a battery into the cabin to charge it. Explosive things could happen
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Posts: 8719
| It happens. Got up one morning to find out that not only had someone unplugged my boat the night before, but they also helped themselves to my 200' extension cord. Luckily for me I had put my name on it with a piece of duct tape so it was pretty easy to find on the dock. As I was retrieving it some guy looked at me and said "dude, that ain't cool!" I pointed at the the name on the extension cord, and said "LIETZ." Then I pointed at myself and said "LIETZ. What ain't cool is that some ass clown climbed into my boat, unplugged it, and made off with my extension cord, and now I'm F'ED for fishing today!"
I think he may have been the guy who did it. Either way it only happened once. |
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Location: 31 | In the late 1980s/early 90s we did a lot of camping/fishing on Lake of the Woods and having enough battery power was always a concern. My solution was to set my boat up with a 12/24 V trolling motor and 4 large deep cycles instead of the standard 3 (no designated crank battery). This set up worked awesome for camping and then found out how valuable it could be a couple of times when I found out at 4 AM that my batteries didn't charge over night.... just plugged in the second fully charged set and away we went. This is obviously not very practical for 36V, but for you guys who have 24V you're only talking about adding 1 battery, and an extra plug in panel/wiring.
Edited by Jerry Newman 7/24/2018 1:45 PM
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Posts: 790
Location: North Central IL USA | T3clay - 7/23/2018 10:32 PM
I had a guy unplug my cord at my boat and use my cord to plug in his boat one time.... I was not a happy man....
I think a good beat down was in order here! |
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Posts: 1220
| A good trick I learned as a co-angler in bass events was to have a small generator I could actually run in the boat while fishing if needs be. These little guys only hold a gallon of gas but will fully charge your batteries if no power is available. Again, it’s not OK for a resort to leave you hanging, but if your trip really matters to you, you should have your own power along. |
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Posts: 133
| If you have good batteries you only need the on board charger... Atleast I do.... I went a month without charging!!! |
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Posts: 1209
| Rip the third prong off the cord! All you need to do |
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Posts: 1209
| Repost----/ Rip the third prong off the male end of your extension cord |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Thuawk - 7/25/2018 9:41 AM
If you have good batteries you only need the on board charger... Atleast I do.... I went a month without charging!!!
I call bs - you're not working them very hard. Let's have you go a full day on LOTW without charging. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Fishysam - 7/25/2018 10:39 AM
Repost----/ Rip the third prong off the male end of your extension cord
What does this do for you? |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Propster - 7/25/2018 12:45 PM
Thuawk - 7/25/2018 9:41 AM
If you have good batteries you only need the on board charger... Atleast I do.... I went a month without charging!!!
I call bs - you're not working them very hard. Let's have you go a full day on LOTW without charging.
Yeah, or even a water 1/8th the size....I can see a good weather streak where winds are light and you're not having to work the TM much but even then at most a couple days without a charge. I think I did two days on Wabigoon when we got calm conditions. A month is laughable. |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Pointerpride102 - 7/25/2018 12:50 PM
Propster - 7/25/2018 12:45 PM
Thuawk - 7/25/2018 9:41 AM
If you have good batteries you only need the on board charger... Atleast I do.... I went a month without charging!!!
I call bs - you're not working them very hard. Let's have you go a full day on LOTW without charging.
Yeah, or even a water 1/8th the size....I can see a good weather streak where winds are light and you're not having to work the TM much but even then at most a couple days without a charge. I think I did two days on Wabigoon when we got calm conditions. A month is laughable.
I went 4 months without charging recently.... |
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Posts: 73
Location: Cedarburg, WI | Propster - 7/25/2018 12:47 PM
Fishysam - 7/25/2018 10:39 AM
Repost----/ Rip the third prong off the male end of your extension cord
What does this do for you?
I'm thinking you're suggesting removing the ground prong (which would defeat the ground fault feature of the receptacle), and let you charge without tripping the receptacle as somewhere there is a short in the wiring??? You'd get to charge, but wouldn't be protected as intended. |
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Posts: 133
| Call bs all ya want man.... Doesn't bother me. I fish minaki and my batteries stay pretty much charged. Maybe I have super batteries!!??? Go for a 6 mile run and they top back up!!! I've been in back lakes for 5 days without any source of power. I have witnesses if you need.... I will subpoena them for you!!! |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | 14ledo81 - 7/25/2018 1:10 PM
Pointerpride102 - 7/25/2018 12:50 PM
Propster - 7/25/2018 12:45 PM
Thuawk - 7/25/2018 9:41 AM
If you have good batteries you only need the on board charger... Atleast I do.... I went a month without charging!!!
I call bs - you're not working them very hard. Let's have you go a full day on LOTW without charging.
Yeah, or even a water 1/8th the size....I can see a good weather streak where winds are light and you're not having to work the TM much but even then at most a couple days without a charge. I think I did two days on Wabigoon when we got calm conditions. A month is laughable.
I went 4 months without charging recently....
How much time did you use your trolling motor during that time frame? |
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Posts: 133
| So what happens after the 2nd day?? The charger stops working??? If you run your engine??? Hahaha |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Pointerpride102 - 7/25/2018 1:44 PM
14ledo81 - 7/25/2018 1:10 PM
Pointerpride102 - 7/25/2018 12:50 PM
Propster - 7/25/2018 12:45 PM
Thuawk - 7/25/2018 9:41 AM
If you have good batteries you only need the on board charger... Atleast I do.... I went a month without charging!!!
I call bs - you're not working them very hard. Let's have you go a full day on LOTW without charging.
Yeah, or even a water 1/8th the size....I can see a good weather streak where winds are light and you're not having to work the TM much but even then at most a couple days without a charge. I think I did two days on Wabigoon when we got calm conditions. A month is laughable.
I went 4 months without charging recently....
How much time did you use your trolling motor during that time frame?
Details.... details.....
It might have been from January to March.... |
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Posts: 133
| Remember that if one battery is down the unit will not switch power to the trolling motor batteries. It will keep trying to charge that one |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Thuawk - 7/25/2018 1:49 PM
Remember that if one battery is down the unit will not switch power to the trolling motor batteries. It will keep trying to charge that one
I see you have the minn kota DC charger, that would make a bit more sense. They must work pretty good then. |
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Posts: 133
| I have a 2008 mercury optimax 200 on a bass boat, if my batteries go down to half if I go screaming across the lake on a 10 mile run at 65 mph ... When I stop the batteries will be full.... Could be a good alternator I'm not sure. |
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Posts: 133
| And regardless my point I'm trying to make its that it's a very valuable tool to have on the boat for how much they cost.... Cheers |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Thuawk - 7/25/2018 2:34 PM
And regardless my point I'm trying to make its that it's a very valuable tool to have on the boat for how much they cost.... Cheers
I didn't see previously that you had a DC charger. Now your statement makes sense. I thought you were saying you went on battery power alone. I love my Stealth charger, it works awesome. But we still top them off at night for full charge whenever possible. |
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Posts: 133
| Right on! |
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Posts: 1168
| I’ve had that MK DC alternator for a few years now. It wouldn’t be necessary for me to have but it’s a nice addition. A couple of years ago when I was using my boat more I had my on board charger plugged in twice. Once when I got it out of storage and topped the batteries off and the other time was when I put it back into storage. The rest of the year the alternator kept them charged. There’s an obvious benefit to having this sort of thing if you go on a trip where you don’t have shore power but an additional benefit is that there is a charge going back into your batteries any time the outboard is run. They are never drawn down so the batteries will stay healthier longer. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | That is a definite advantage, longer healthier battery life |
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Posts: 626
Location: Madison, WI | Softwater - 7/25/2018 1:37 PM
Propster - 7/25/2018 12:47 PM
Fishysam - 7/25/2018 10:39 AM
Repost----/ Rip the third prong off the male end of your extension cord
What does this do for you?
I'm thinking you're suggesting removing the ground prong (which would defeat the ground fault feature of the receptacle ), and let you charge without tripping the receptacle as somewhere there is a short in the wiring??? You'd get to charge, but wouldn't be protected as intended.
Actually if you are plugged in to a gfci recepticle, (ground fault circuit interrupted) the third prong (ground) has nothing to do with how the device works. A gfci monitors the current coming in and out between the hot and neutral wires. In a correct circuit this should read somewhere around 120 volts both in and out. If the gfci detects an imbalance, usually around 5 miliamps it will trip. The ground prong does nothing but serve as an equipment ground for whatever device your plugging in. This is why gfci’s are an acceptable method to replace old non grounded outlets without replacing the wiring. It will still offer protection just not give an equipment ground. |
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Posts: 73
Location: Cedarburg, WI | danmuskyman - 7/25/2018 6:37 PM
Softwater - 7/25/2018 1:37 PM
Propster - 7/25/2018 12:47 PM
Fishysam - 7/25/2018 10:39 AM
Repost----/ Rip the third prong off the male end of your extension cord
What does this do for you?
I'm thinking you're suggesting removing the ground prong (which would defeat the ground fault feature of the receptacle ), and let you charge without tripping the receptacle as somewhere there is a short in the wiring??? You'd get to charge, but wouldn't be protected as intended.
Actually if you are plugged in to a gfci recepticle, (ground fault circuit interrupted ) the third prong (ground ) has nothing to do with how the device works. A gfci monitors the current coming in and out between the hot and neutral wires. In a correct circuit this should read somewhere around 120 volts both in and out. If the gfci detects an imbalance, usually around 5 miliamps it will trip. The ground prong does nothing but serve as an equipment ground for whatever device your plugging in. This is why gfci’s are an acceptable method to replace old non grounded outlets without replacing the wiring. It will still offer protection just not give an equipment ground.
You are absolutely correct about the ground. GFCI's will work without a ground wire. However, I think you misspoke about what it's checking for. It's not the voltage between the hot & neutral it's checking for, but actually differences in current between them. The current should be the same as it's a loop (from the GFCI out to the device & back to the GFCI). Any difference greater than 5mA (as you mentioned), and it assumes there is another 'non-authorized" path that the electricity is flowing to, at which point the internal switch opens and kills the hot leg. |
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Posts: 626
Location: Madison, WI | That is exactly what I meant to say. It’s just monitoring the loop of current and looking for a difference of 5ma or greater. You must be an electrician too  |
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Location: 31 | ulbian - 7/25/2018 3:48 PM I’ve had that MK DC alternator for a few years now. It wouldn’t be necessary for me to have but it’s a nice addition. A couple of years ago when I was using my boat more I had my on board charger plugged in twice. Once when I got it out of storage and topped the batteries off and the other time was when I put it back into storage. The rest of the year the alternator kept them charged. There’s an obvious benefit to having this sort of thing if you go on a trip where you don’t have shore power but an additional benefit is that there is a charge going back into your batteries any time the outboard is run. They are never drawn down so the batteries will stay healthier longer. x2... 100%. Been using the same type of DC charger but with the Stealth 1 system for a long time and same results. Would never own a boat without one now. |
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Posts: 256
Location: Madison, WI | T3clay - 7/23/2018 10:32 PM
I had a guy unplug my cord at my boat and use my cord to plug in his boat one time.... I was not a happy man....
This reminds me of something I saw recently on facebook, regarding a laundry room in an apartment complex. This is the way I think we should all deal with selfish narcissists who think it's all about ME ME ME.
Here's the pic....
(asshole laundry pic for fb.jpg)
Attachments
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 asshole laundry pic for fb.jpg (72KB - 336 downloads)
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