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Any opinions on on board chargers? I looked at the Guest 2611A at Boaters World today, and another brand which I don't remember the name. The Guest was about $20 more. Both 5/5 amp for charging two 12V batts. or a 24V system (actually I don't know what the difference would be).
Anybody have a favorite they can suggest, or any advice on what to look for?

Are you talking about the ones that run off of the engine or a mounted one you plug in at the hill? If it's the latter, I've got a single bank charger made MinnKota that has been tip top, so far. Had it since Sept.'06. I wont have another boat without one.

Barhopr wrote:Are you talking about the ones that run off of the engine or a mounted one you plug in at the hill? If it's the latter, I've got a single bank charger made MinnKota that has been tip top, so far. Had it since Sept.'06. I wont have another boat without one.

Yeah I mean a charger you can plug in for the troller batteries (or any battery) and leave unattended so you're charged up and ready to go next trip.
Where did you get your Minn Kota?

I'm using a Guest and it's really great! I just plug it in and disconnect
when ready to go.....fully charges the two 12v's for electric motor.
Keeps me from having to get on my knees in boat and reach up under front deck and attach battery charger and then repeat to disconnect.

(Rocket): My boat was rigged with it new. It is mounted in the front hatch on the port side and hardwired to my TM. batt. You should be able to get one at any MK dealer. I think I've even seen them at WalMart. It is nice to have. It has a series of LED's to let you know what the charger is doing. When it's complete a little green LED lights up and your done. Takes the guess work out of it.

Rocket, if you're gonna spend the money, buy a charger that puts out at least 10 amps per bank. A 5/5 might not recover your batteries over night on those long fishing weekends.

i have the quest 10/10 charger and it only takes a couple of hours to recharge my 2 batteries, works great

GUEST TWO BANK 5AMP/5AMP CHARGERS ARE ON SALE RIGHT NOW FOR $99.00

tin can wrote:Rocket, if you're gonna spend the money, buy a charger that puts out at least 10 amps per bank. A 5/5 might not recover your batteries over night on those long fishing weekends.

That's what I was worried about TC. I wasn't sure if the 5/5 was sufficient.

Only 10/10 I've found is Minn Kota. Is there another brand (price checking purposeses only).

Rocket, look on Cabelas and Basspro. You'll find several.

The one (two) place(s) I did not look!

Still doing homework on this. Would charging with a 10/10 diminsh the life of the batteries since it charges so much faster? I was told the 5/5 with the slower recovery time would not heat the batteries up as much, there for giving the batteries a longer life.
Am I over thinking this??

rocket wrote:Still doing homework on this. Would charging with a 10/10 diminsh the life of the batteries since it charges so much faster? I was told the 5/5 with the slower recovery time would not heat the batteries up as much, there for giving the batteries a longer life.
Am I over thinking this??

I thought you were supposed to hit them with alot of juice quickly then slow it down when it gets closer to full charge. I thought that was the point of "phase" chargers. Somebody smarter than me chime in.

10 amps ain't gonna hurt your batteries. I've been using a 10 amo charger forever, and I get 5 years out of trolling motor batteries.