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Posts: 111
Location: Weyauwega Wi. | I recently had to cut a guide trip short. The problem was dead batteries. My on board charger had broken without me knowing it. I thought I was charging them and in reality I wasn't. This is my fix. I thought I would share it with everyone. My boat is a Tuffy X-190
(Picture 002 (427x640) (2) (387x580).jpg)
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 Picture 002 (427x640) (2) (387x580).jpg (196KB - 190 downloads)
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Posts: 111
Location: Weyauwega Wi. | I forgot to say that the material is 1/2 inch acrylic. |
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Posts: 416
Location: Madtown, WI | I just plug it into a "Kill a Watt" device which tells me how many amps it's putting in. I think it picked it up for $15 or something and is a handy little thing. |
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Posts: 335
Location: Minnesota | Just make sure that thing vents well when charging! |
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Location: 31 | Nice fix, neat and tidy... good reminder on removing the lid when charging too.
Finding dead batteries when you hit the water at 4 A.M. is about as frustrating as it gets so I started using a gauge like Seth. I found a neat permanently mounted four position gauge earlier this year, and will never own another boat without one.
I have system with 2 permanently mounted A/C chargers and an additional Stealth I "on-board" charger that redirects charging from the main battery (once it's fully charged) to the 36V as needed when the main motor is running. I can also utilize the stealth technology (it's very precise and will never overcharge) by plugging in the main motor A/C charger to slowly charge all 4 batteries through the Stealth.
That $50 gauge also lets me know how much my 36V batteries are discharged and which charger to plug in… the 15 Amp per bank 36V charger, or the slow single 10 Amp 12V threw the Stealth. It's reassuring to be able to check the condition of the batteries at any point during the day, or to check if the Stealth is working... you can actually see the gauge move when the motor starts, or when you plug in the A/C charger.
http://www.cabelas.com/auto-boat-battery-accessories-battery-gauges...
Addendum: I got a phone call about installation... it's an easy 2 hour deal. I located the gauge conveniently inside one of the dry storage compartments right next to the batteries. I decided this was best because there would have been fishing a lot of long wires if I mounted at the helm because each battery must be run to the gauge. I also wanted to keep it simple and out of wet weather too.
Edited by Jerry Newman 10/4/2012 7:59 PM
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