Posts: 717
Location: Grand Rapids, MI | CnR_Angler - 3/28/2013 4:09 PM
I have a rookie boat owner question...Are there any benefits besides convenience and being able to charge multiple batteries at the same time to having an OnBoard Charger?
It's not like it will charge your batteries while you are out on the water like an alternator would - you still need to plug the on board charger into an outlet right?
Correct, you still have to plug it in when you get home. First, they are very convenient. You can charge 2 or 3 batteries at the same time, and all to a full charge. 2nd, most of the chargers have protectors built in, so you are not overheating your batteries. You could leave them plugged in for a week. When they're full, the charger stalls. When they need a little juice, the charger refires. I used to always use a regular battery charger for a 24v system. I would have to completely disconnect my trolling motor, and charge 1 battery, then the other. The problem is, that while the other is charging, the first one is losing some power. I've never been able to get 100% reading on the trolling motor tester until I got an onboard charger. And, now they get the correct charge that they're meant to have. I can use my batteries for 2 days now too, whereas I used to be running on E after just one day before. |
