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Batteries and On Board Chargers
I'm planning to upgrade to an on board 3 bank charger and just wanted to ask other members which brands they like and what kind of experience they have had with the different makes.
I'm currently running a two bank unit for my 24 volt trolling motor batteries, but want the convienience of a 3 bank unit to charge the cranking battery as well.
It seems that the top choices are Minn Kota and Dual Pro.
Also, what brands of batteries have given you the best performance and longevity?
My outboard is a 2007 200 HP Optimax, so it requires some juice to get it fired up. I believe the Mercury manual suggests 1000 MCA or 750 CCA. The cranking battery is a group 24, but I may swap in a group 27 for added reserve capacity.
Finally, any recommendations for portable jump start boxes? I know Snap-On makes a nice unit, but it is close to 400 bucks. That would be expensive to accidentally drop over the side! However, I'm looking for a booster that has pleny of juice to kick over that Optimax.
Any input or thoughts would be great!
Views: 57
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gary Millard on
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Buck,
I am running a Minn Kota MK 345 On-Board Charger (3 Banks, 15 Amps per Bank) for the past four years. It charges pretty fast and the batteries are holding up real good. They have another low profile version as well. Each battier has its own circuit and will shut down when fully charged. I leave them on all winter and my battier's still have all the get and go as new ones. The MK 345 are a little spendy at around $330. I use 27 dyno’s on my 24 volt system and just a 750 amp cranking battier for my 175 Merc. -
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Permalink Reply by NickBarrFishing.com on
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I have been running Interstate Batteries Group 27 Crank and group 29 Deep Cycles with a Pro-Pak Charger. The Pro-Pak Charger is a smart charger, with varying charging modes automatically and shuts off/bad battery, etc. is all auto. Its worked great for me, and the 27 group Interstate has worked great for starting motor all day and running 2 units, livewells, etc. all day long.
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Permalink Reply by Nick Berto on
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Buck~ Dont go cheap on the charger or batteries. I would switch to a group 27 cranking and a good brand like trojan or interstate(assuming you use this battery for your depth finders/other boat accessories) and get either a dual pro or minn kota charger, do not get a "store brand" like cabelas. I have a new dual pro and it is great with seperate lights for each battery and lots of great features on it...
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Permalink Reply by Russ Baker on
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I'll 2nd Nick Berto's post. Do not scrimp on batteries or the charger. These tools are the most important part of your boat and can save you from a lot of frustration if you go cheap.
trojans and Interstates are some of the best batteries out there. The MK chargers are some of the best out there and I highly recommend them.
Russ
Limit Out Performance Marine -
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Permalink Reply by Gary Lucas on
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I went with optamas (blue top) group 34 on the toll motor and 27 on the main motor none of which meet any of the reserve or cranking amps of any thing on the boat. Got 5 days boat camping and also fished the frost bite (pluged in at night at the frost bite) on that set up. I got 12 years of service from the red tops on my jeep. The main thing is to keep the batts fully charged at all times and any new charger will do that they all have a safe mode. Open the lids when charging to let the heat out that will burn up the charger if you dont.
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Permalink Reply by Buck Brunner on
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Thanks everyone for the great input! Very much appreciated!
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