Post by: Angry Perch on December 13, 2019, 10:28:29 AM
Post by: Skillet on December 13, 2019, 10:46:40 AM
If you're running any really heavy DC loads that the kicker or main can't keep up with (ie., a bowmount) and you want to fish two full days back-to-back, I'd get the 10 amp per circuit charger (20 amp total) at a minimum. Otherwise, if its only purpose is a maintenance charge between trips, the 5/10 should be just fine.
Just my $.02
Post by: Stein on December 13, 2019, 10:53:20 AM
I would get a 2 bank charger, Cabelas has house brands that go on sale frequently and have worked great for me.
Post by: Angry Perch on December 13, 2019, 11:03:54 AM
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 13, 2019, 11:07:27 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on December 13, 2019, 11:19:11 AM
A ground is a ground. Just like in a car they ground to the frame. The only reason the hot side is separate is so they can be switched. Your car battery is grounded to engine block and bonded to the frame someplace near it
It's good for a guy to get slapped upside the head with the obvious every once in a while!!! :chuckle:
So if i were to wire it this way, and have the battery selector on both, would there be a problem?
Post by: Angry Perch on December 13, 2019, 11:42:25 AM
Yep, I'd do the two-bank charger and wire the pos and neg leads directly to each batt. You won't need to mess with the switch at all. Even if it is open and combining both batteries, the charger's individual circuits will only "see" the battery it is attached to. If the selector switch is open, the current will flow between the batteries and you'll get a balanced charge. If the switch is closed, the smart charger (Guest was always my favorite brand on the walleye boats) will be better able to charge each battery individually. Especially if one was significantly drawn down over the other.
If you're running any really heavy DC loads that the kicker or main can't keep up with (ie., a bowmount) and you want to fish two full days back-to-back, I'd get the 10 amp per circuit charger (20 amp total) at a minimum. Otherwise, if its only purpose is a maintenance charge between trips, the 5/10 should be just fine.
Just my $.02
Hey buddy, your two cents is worth at least a nickel!
Post by: Crunchy on December 13, 2019, 11:46:51 AM
Post by: Bronson on December 13, 2019, 12:24:03 PM
A ground is a ground. Just like in a car they ground to the frame. The only reason the hot side is separate is so they can be switched. Your car battery is grounded to engine block and bonded to the frame someplace near it
It's good for a guy to get slapped upside the head with the obvious every once in a while!!! :chuckle:
So if i were to wire it this way, and have the battery selector on both, would there be a problem?
If I understand your question correctly, using the 1+2 or "both" option on your battery switch should only be used if youve drained one or both batteries and need as much power as possible to get your main started. When you run your switch on "both" or 1+2 you are using power from both batteries and its not necessary. Consider it an emergency use only option.
If youre using power from both, youre draining power from both and have no backup.
Post by: birddogdad on December 13, 2019, 12:27:48 PM
i think the easiest way to say it is charging each battery if you can is best, even if you have switch or split deep cycle (troll) and crank sub systems.
https://www.impactbattery.com/blog/tutorials/how-to-charge-marine-and-rv-batteries-in-parallel/
hope this helps!
Post by: Stein on December 13, 2019, 12:33:05 PM
When you put the switch in "both", they are connected in parallel and unless the batteries are exactly the same, one will be trying to charge the other all the time and it may interfere with the charger, but I'm not sure on the latter point.
A two bank charger is by far the best option. Distant second would be a one bank charger wired downstream from the switch. It would charge whatever battery was switched on at the time (1 or 2), again I would never run or charge in the "both" switch setting. Distant third place would be to only charge one battery, but then you wouldn't be sure the other one was ready to go when needed.
That is very similar to how I have my boat wired, I always run on 1 and 2 just sits there fully charged waiting for me to need it. A couple times a year I switch over to 2 just to check to make sure it will fire the motor, but then back to 1. That battery should last almost forever as it sits on a battery tender and never gets used.
The 8A 2 bank charger is on sale for $80, 12 A is $100 and 20A is $120. If I were running an electric trolling motor or otherwise was drawing it way down every time I would go with one of the bigger ones, but the smaller or mid sized is fine for normal applications where you are running sonar and downriggers and it sits plugged in overnight.
https://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-PRO-SERIES-ON-BOARD-CHARGER/2416312.uts?productVariantId=4826592&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04583803&rid=20&ds_rl=1252079&ds_rl=1252079&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzILKvryz5gIVtRx9Ch2v4gi3EAQYASABEgL86_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Post by: Angry Perch on December 13, 2019, 01:16:19 PM
Crunchy, I like the idea on that plug. A lot cleaner than having the cord hanging somewhere.
Post by: Bill W on December 13, 2019, 01:51:58 PM
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 13, 2019, 01:55:24 PM
Thanks for your help guys. I think I've got it all figured out.
Crunchy, I like the idea on that plug. A lot cleaner than having the cord hanging somewhere.
I would ask what it is plugged into. That's a female cord cap. If that is correct then he has built a cord with a pair of male ends. That makes an exposed hot set of blades on a cord. :yike:
Post by: Angry Perch on December 13, 2019, 02:07:55 PM
Thanks for your help guys. I think I've got it all figured out.
Crunchy, I like the idea on that plug. A lot cleaner than having the cord hanging somewhere.
I would ask what it is plugged into. That's a female cord cap. If that is correct then he has built a cord with a pair of male ends. That makes an exposed hot set of blades on a cord. :yike:
It's male under the cap.
Post by: KFhunter on December 14, 2019, 11:47:25 AM
Each battery gets its own charge line and its own positive and ground hooked right to the battery.
It's good to have a selector, but not for charging.
How much of a charger depends on your boat use, if you have a bass boat and troll for hours and hours then sleep for 6 hours, then back out at 4:30 am for a tournament..then you need a big expensive one!
but if you use the boat for a day then might not go out for another week, then not as big. Since you only have two batteries, I'll assume this isn't a bass boat.
So you just need a simple 2 bank charger that's fully automatic.
I'd still get a decent one though so you can troll all day and it'll be fully topped the next morning.
https://www.amazon.com/ProMariner-43020-ProSport-Generation-Battery/dp/B00F5EBS66?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_3&th=1
The one up there ^ would probably do you all you need, but if you want a cadallac charger there's this, 36amps so you'll have your battery charged up quickly, enough for any tournament.
https://www.amazon.com/ProMariner-43020-ProSport-Generation-Battery/dp/B00T59O20G?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_3&th=1
Post by: Angry Perch on December 14, 2019, 12:04:15 PM
You need a 2 bank charger made for two batteries. Ignore the selector switch and wire the charger to the batteries directly.
Each battery gets its own charge line and its own positive and ground hooked right to the battery.
It's good to have a selector, but not for charging.
How much of a charger depends on your boat use, if you have a bass boat and troll for hours and hours then sleep for 6 hours, then back out at 4:30 am for a tournament..then you need a big expensive one!
but if you use the boat for a day then might not go out for another week, then not as big. Since you only have two batteries, I'll assume this isn't a bass boat.
So you just need a simple 2 bank charger that's fully automatic.
I'd still get a decent one though so you can troll all day and it'll be fully topped the next morning.
https://www.amazon.com/ProMariner-43020-ProSport-Generation-Battery/dp/B00F5EBS66?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_3&th=1
The one up there ^ would probably do you all you need, but if you want a cadallac charger there's this, 36amps so you'll have your battery charged up quickly, enough for any tournament.
https://www.amazon.com/ProMariner-43020-ProSport-Generation-Battery/dp/B00T59O20G?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_3&th=1
Great minds think alike! I ordered this yesterday.