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Posts: 968
Location: N.FIB | Whats the difference between the onboard chargers on the market,will the minkotas charge every type of battery,are the bass pro ones any good.I don`t need a 45 amp charger onboard,not looking to spend that much money.Should I buy some sort of extension wire for it since one battery is in front and two batterys in the rear(17ft boat)or will the wire that comes with it be long enough.I`m looking for a 3bank but would settle for a 2 bank if I can pick one up used for a good price. |
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
If you can do a 3 bank with 10 amps per bank, you would be sitting pretty. you can extend the leads of one bank to go up to the front battery (assuming you mount the charger in the rear). you can do a 2 bank and hook two batteries in parallel (I did this with my battery for the outboard and one of the TM batteries...both of the same size and design (stowaways). Takes a little longer to charge those up due to more battery being charged, but I have never gotten to a point where I didn't have enough to start the motor. and never a failure since.
I have the dual pro sportsman 2 bank with 10 amps per bank...works really well, is low profile, and I don't think you have any restrictions in mounting that I know of. I believe Guest chargers are the same way.
Steve |
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Posts: 395
Location: NW WI | I'm a Dual Pro fan because of their excellent customer service (very important to me). The way I look at it is there's going to be times when you have problems with anything on a boat (incl. fishing equip). I hope that the company is honest and forthright with me. I don't expect them to pay for everything...but at least pick up the phone and honestly address my concerns.
Dual Pro, Garmin and Motroguide have always treated me well.
IMO - search the web for used chargers. I've seen them on this site and many others. Most times people are selling them to upgrade. Personally if you have 3 total batteries in the boat, I would buy a 3 bank charger to charge all three of them. Electronics can draw down your starting battery more than you think they may. |
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Location: Twin Cities | The guest charger in my boat was mounted horizontal when I got it and it says right on the unit it must be mounted vertical. According to the manufacture, that's why it died last week and i'm shopping for a replacement. Good timing on the topic! These things are fricken expensive!
Edited by JRedig 8/9/2009 9:44 PM
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Posts: 81
Location: Indiana | I installed a Bass Pro brand three bank 10 amp charger on my old boat and never had a problem with. They were changing styles so I picked up for a big savings. I would buy it again. |
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Location: Twin Cities | Looks like i'm going with a dual pro, excellent customer service ratings everywhere and the sportsman series triple is serviceable, that's worth something IMO, not a throw away like what I currently have. |
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Posts: 968
Location: N.FIB | whats the best charger for optima batterys |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | What's best for Optima's? That's the beauty of the MF "Search" function, i.e., a feature that is in MHO by far very under utilized.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=51...
Call them!
Have fun!
Al |
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Onboard Chargers