The Online Source for Washington Fishing Information

Battery Chargers

Whats everyone running for battery chargers ? I have had so so luck with ProMariners since 2005. I have had them go bad, but when contacting customer service, they made it right if it was under warranty.

My ProM gave up after a good 2-3 yrs, and I recently bought a 3 Bank Minn Kota Charger and got a pretty good deal on it. It has a 3yr warranty, and as heavy as it is, it must be bulletproof LOL. I think this one will last quite a while. Who's bought a MK and how has it treated you?

Thanks

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on September 1, 2011 at 9:35pm

Minkota 2 bank 15 amp. Huge, but bad ass! It will charge both batteris from near dead to ull in about 3 hours.

Permalink Reply by Doug Jorgensen on September 8, 2011 at 8:31pm

I have always used Charging Systems International. Yes I have had them on occasion fail, but they have always taken care of me. Most OEM chargers are CSI. I have had one fail two years out of warranty and they offered me a very reduced rate on a new one. Great customer service and satisfaction. I also bring a stand alone charger to tournaments just in case it's needed. Anything man made can fail and eventually will.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hastings on September 22, 2011 at 11:31am

Chris,

I've had an MK330 in my old boat for 4 years, its been flawless. I have a Stealth I in my new boat. Not sure how long its been in there as I bought it used, but since I have owned it, no problems. One item of note or experience with my new boat. I found that if my trolling motor batteries dropped below some threshold of charge, with voltage that was below 10v, the Stealth would not bring them back. I could disconnect them and connect them to my truck's alternator and within 20 minutes they were back to 12v and the Stealth would top them off just fine. I replaced the batteries, It was clearly time, and have eliminated the issue.

Btw that whole extension cord thing... I ain't buy'n. Theoretically that wall outlet is an extension cord. No different. Only caveats would be a faulty extension cord or an extension cord of such extreme length its internal impedance was excessive (eg faulty or very small guage conductors). To the charger this would be presented as a lower supply voltage, and the charger may not turn on. Knowing the internals of these things, I think you got a customer service dude that was giving you the business. Line spikes on your homes wiring are real possibilities for taking out the primary side thermistor of a charger. If you choose to use a surge supressor, the current rating has to be high enough to support your charger. No cheapy computer thing.

laters,

Steve

Permalink Reply by Doug Jorgensen on September 22, 2011 at 7:56pm

I should have never opened my mouth on this topic. Battery charger just crapped this weekend. It a 4 bank Dual Pro. They would sell me one for $359 plus shipping or a reconditioned one for $269 or fix mine for $75-$175. I went a different way. Bought a Noco Gen4 charger on Amazon for $168 plus shipping. 4 bank, 10 amp per bank with a 3 year warranty. Could not pass up the great price, hope it last.

Permalink Reply by Chris Blandi on September 22, 2011 at 9:26pm

Thanks for the input Steve. I got the MK330 installed and its working great. I see what you're saying about my extension cord comment. The customer service guy told me that trick, to always unplug at the wall never in between. I had done it just ONE time the wrong way, and the crappy ProMariner went tits up. They covered it under warranty luckily, so I took it for what it was worth and always remove it at the wall. Just a tip for those cheap chargers I guess.

Doug, hopefully the NOCO brand charger works for you.

Permalink Reply by Doug Jorgensen on September 23, 2011 at 7:49pm

I spoke to Chris Ferry at Limit Out Marine and he says that so far the Noco chargers have been reliable. Keeping my fingers crossed on a $200 experiment. Was leaning towards the Minn Kota, but changed my mind at the last minute.

Permalink Reply by BARLOW on September 23, 2011 at 8:38pm

NOCO AND VERY HAPPY WITH IT, IT ONLY IS 12.5 LBS FOR A 4 BANK GREAT CHARGER!!!!

Permalink Reply by Nate on August 28, 2012 at 7:51am

I use a ProMariner Promite 2 bank charger. I do not recommend it due to piece of mind. I want more information regarding the charge status of each battery. All this has is one set of lights that tells if it is/isn't charging. It would be better to know if EACH battery is/isnt charging. Sometimes I get the feeling that it may be over charging but have no of knowing. Also this unit get hot to the touch on very random occasions.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Lunde on August 28, 2012 at 12:21pm