Crank Battery/Onboard Charger
Musky Brian
Posted 5/7/2007 11:04 PM (#255123)
Subject: Crank Battery/Onboard Charger





Posts: 1767


Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin
Yesterday I took out a 2001 Ranger I just purchased for the first time, and got to the landing to discover a dead crank battery.

This is my first boat with an onboard charger, it is a Ranger 5X2 connected to my trolling battery and the crank battery. I charged it by plugging in the onboard charger cord into a regular extension cord for 5-6 hours before use yesterday. Upon returning home after the dead battery issue on the lake, I connected a 10 amp charger directly to the battery, and it seemed to be working just fine.

My question...I have NEVER had a dead crank battery...

I am down to 3 possiblities...

I may have left a switch on somewhere in the boat to drain the battery?
I improperly charged the battery when I plugged the onboard charger into the extension cord?
Or The battery is just done, the guy said he never had the boat in the water last year. ( all the electronics, trim, etc. were working on land since I picked up the boat)

any ideas would help, I am still a novice to the world of boating
Shep
Posted 5/8/2007 8:48 AM (#255171 - in reply to #255123)
Subject: RE: Crank Battery/Onboard Charger





Posts: 5874


If he never had the boat out, what are the chances that he never had it plugged in? The extension cord should not affect the performance of the charger. The battery could have drained due to a switch left on. Or it could have been so low that the onboard didn't charge it. Then, you connected the 10 amp charger, and it charged it up. I would take the battery to a dealer, and have it load tested. My hunch is that 6 year old battery has seen better days, and it's time for a new one.

One more thing. Are your connections tight on the battery? Don't ask why I am asking this. Shut up, JoMusky!

Edited by Shep 5/8/2007 8:50 AM