I have a '97 h26 with shorepower that is kept at a marina slip. My electric needs while underway are pretty minimal (depth, nav lights, electric start for OB, TV for kids). I've seen a lot about solar charging and am looking into this option. My question: For the last couple of years, I've been using a K-Mart type auto battery charger to trickle charge (not continuously, but as needed) the battery while at the marina. This seems to have worked OK and I've never been without power. Is this practice unsafe or harmful to the battery? If so, can someone educate me in proper battery charging technique? Thanks in advance.
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hp
auto type charger
this methid is ok in that it seams to work for you,however you risk the possibilty of overchargeing/undercharging you batteries. The best method is a marine type "smart charger" that will maintain your batteries at the correct level. they are a couple of hundred to five hundred dollars for a good one depending on amp size. You method is ok just will reduce your battery life and you will have to deal with the trickle charger.
this methid is ok in that it seams to work for you,however you risk the possibilty of overchargeing/undercharging you batteries. The best method is a marine type "smart charger" that will maintain your batteries at the correct level. they are a couple of hundred to five hundred dollars for a good one depending on amp size. You method is ok just will reduce your battery life and you will have to deal with the trickle charger.
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Wynn Ferrel
Kevin - See thread entitled
"Shore power vs. battery power" for my post on battery charges. Good luck, Wynn Ferrel
"Shore power vs. battery power" for my post on battery charges. Good luck, Wynn Ferrel
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Debra Blatnik
Don't leave the charger on
Leaving the charger on all the time cooks the batteries. If you are going to upgrade the system, then go for a smart charger. These are very good, but aren't cheap. You might try one of those light timers that turn lights on and off at certain times to only charge the battery for an hour per day.
Leaving the charger on all the time cooks the batteries. If you are going to upgrade the system, then go for a smart charger. These are very good, but aren't cheap. You might try one of those light timers that turn lights on and off at certain times to only charge the battery for an hour per day.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Deb, that depends on the type of charger
A so-called "smart charger" can be left on continuously without damage to the batteries. Most boats that are connected shore power do leave th charger/converter on all the time.
A so-called "smart charger" can be left on continuously without damage to the batteries. Most boats that are connected shore power do leave th charger/converter on all the time.
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Joel
Solar Panel left on?
I'll be using a small solar panel to charge my battery. The one that was installed on the boat is a small rigid panel which connects directly to the battery posts with a fuse inline. Can this be left connected when away from the boat? Any danger of overcharging the battery with a solar panel? (Just trying to get used to the boat before swapping out too many things that the previous owner did.)
I'll be using a small solar panel to charge my battery. The one that was installed on the boat is a small rigid panel which connects directly to the battery posts with a fuse inline. Can this be left connected when away from the boat? Any danger of overcharging the battery with a solar panel? (Just trying to get used to the boat before swapping out too many things that the previous owner did.)
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FRED FEAGIN
Go to Walmart
I bought a 1.5 amp smart charger at Walmart that shuts off after the battery is charged. Look in the automotive section. It states on the charger will not cook or overcharge batteries. Its not waterproof ? But I don't plan on my batterie going for a swim. Good Luck
I bought a 1.5 amp smart charger at Walmart that shuts off after the battery is charged. Look in the automotive section. It states on the charger will not cook or overcharge batteries. Its not waterproof ? But I don't plan on my batterie going for a swim. Good Luck
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Joe Dickson
Try Sears
I picked up a smart charger (marine) at Sears for about $80. It has regular and deep cycle settings, manual and automatic settings, and 2 amp trickle-charge or 12 amp quick charge settings also. On the automatic, setting it shuts off once the battery is fully charged. When the charge drops below a certain level it turns back on again. So far it's been a great success, and I did not have to spend hundreds of dollars on it... Safe Boating Joe S/V Charis
I picked up a smart charger (marine) at Sears for about $80. It has regular and deep cycle settings, manual and automatic settings, and 2 amp trickle-charge or 12 amp quick charge settings also. On the automatic, setting it shuts off once the battery is fully charged. When the charge drops below a certain level it turns back on again. So far it's been a great success, and I did not have to spend hundreds of dollars on it... Safe Boating Joe S/V Charis
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