New (to me) Skeeter, battery charger question

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Darren Thomas on October 19, 2013 at 7:39pm

Oh, also... is there a preferred brand that is reasonably priced? I see prices all over the place. Not sure if 20 amp is sufficient or if I should go higher.

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey R. Priester on October 20, 2013 at 9:14am

Hi Darren,

Congrats on that Skeeter purchase!

The first thing you should do is check to make sure that both batteries have enough charge for the charger to recognize them.  You may need to put them on a remote charger, if a battery is too low onboard chargers will not pick them up. Regarding the cranking battery look at the specs for that battery to make sure it is one that you can repetitively charge.  Some sealed battery manufacturers do not recommend it. 

If you in fact need to replace the charger I would recommend a Charging Systems Inc. charger or a Minn Kota but there is a variety of chargers available. I would look at a charger that is 10 amps per bank.

As far as trolling motor batteries go the wet lead batteries are good long lasting batteries and are usually cheaper than the sealed maintenance free types, if your batteries load test I would run them until they need replacing.

Feel free to call me anytime if you have any questions, I will be glad to help you out.

Jeff Priester, Nixon's Marine (SKEETER dealer since 1980)

800-355-5774

Permalink Reply by Mark Byrne on October 20, 2013 at 9:38am

I was going to add, but Jeff is the expert! My 2 cents worth is buy a little more charger than you think you need. Keep it clean and you will never have to replace it again, the more amps per bank the faster it charges. Also get one that charges all batteries, good chargers are set up to do so and makes your life easier.

Permalink Reply by Darren Thomas on October 20, 2013 at 1:19pm

Thanks guys. I have a quick question for Jeff to expand on what was said. I tested the leads of the charger for the battery that wasn't reading any volts. Is this possibly expected? Will there only be voltage if it senses the battery? I'd think there would be voltage regardless but it reads zero. I was going to pull it to see if the leads were toast underneath.

I did charge the one battery that was really low... reading only 9.5v and it took a charge overnight and came back to 12.5 resting. I used the trolling motor today and it seemed to work well and the charge left on the batteries is still around 12.4 for the one I charged up and 12.2 for the one that was good to begin with.

Thanks,

Darren

Permalink Reply by Darren Thomas on October 20, 2013 at 4:03pm

Oh, Jeff... since you are a Skeeter dealer. I might have some questions for you about how the live well operates and if I might need some replacement parts. I can fill both wells on manual but the auto setting doesn't seem to do anything. Also, the recirculation setting doesn't seem to do anything either. I'm not sure how it is supposed to react. I also have an "aerator" knob that doesn't do anything. Wish I had a manual. Is there an archive for Skeeter manuals somewhere?

Mine is a 1997 Skeeter SS150.

Thanks guys.

Darren

Permalink Reply by Darren Thomas on October 20, 2013 at 4:14pm

Update: I happen to have a charging systems international charger in the boat and actually got it working. Great news. One of the batteries was way low, I think it refused to charge it based on that. When I brought it back the charger now shows it is charging both banks! Woo hoo! Saved a couple hundred.

Permalink Reply by Darren Thomas on October 20, 2013 at 5:40pm

Oh, just discovered I need a new brass pin base bushing for my front bicycle seat. Jeff, do you have those?

thanks again, I keep finding little things I want to fix up. The boat is in great shape but I want to bring it back to as near new as I can.

Permalink Reply by Kathy Priester on October 23, 2013 at 10:18am

Hi Darren,
Jeff and I are towing a boat today. Call Jeff @509-301-6161. Or Rory at the shop which is 800-355-5774. We told him what you're looking for. He can help you with that bushing.
Kathy Priester