educate me...onboard charging systems?

[PHOTOG]

Whats the deal with onboard charging systems?how do they work? how would i set one up? I just want to know because charging 3 batteries seperately for a day before a trip sucks, just lookin for info.

[WarpDrive]

Are you looking to charge all 3 battery's at once?.....

[PHOTOG]

No, I am just curious how a system works...read some web info, looking for first hand intel on the ppro's and cons, whats good and whats not.

I read that you install the onboard charger and plug it in at the house???is that correct?

[Josh D]

OnA guest charger is one of the most useful pieces of equipment you can put on your boat.
Very simple to install & the single best move you can make to streamline the process of getting ready to fish IMO as well as extending the life of your batteries.
Just make sure to get one that matches your needs, 12 volt or 24 volt system & the # of batteries you need to charge. I've always like the Guest brand.
Plug it in a day or 2 before you plan on fishing and it will charge then keep your batteries topped off until you break out the weapon. Also good to plug it in when you return as batteries sitting without a charge wears them out prematurely.

[WarpDrive]

Originally Posted by PHOTOG

No, I am just curious how a system works...read some web info, looking for first hand intel on the ppro's and cons, whats good and whats not.

I read that you install the onboard charger and plug it in at the house???is that correct?

Yes your are!.....battery charger has 3 outlets......plug into 120v.....all batteries charge....

[PHOTOG]

Thanks guys, good info...Slowly but surely I will one day have a boat that is not a parts bin.

[shinerunner]

I have 3 batts, guest cruiser series with the ACR switch thingy. Seems to work
1 batt for each engine and 1 for house

[Dirtguy]

How about connecting the charger to the alternator terminal and putting the batt switch on "All?" For me nothing is live until the ign switch is on.

DG?

[kerncat]

I've had Guest chargers on several boats and would not have anything else...you can not cook a battery using the Guest with the "float" system...3 stage charging...brings battery up to near charged..then "tops it off" and then goes into float system...doesn't cook the water off like a trickle charger..no more frequent need to add water than normal hot weather evaporation...I have a 3 leg charger that is hooked to each of the 3 batteries I have..it is on all the time when the boat is in the slip..They are compact, "potted" so totally water proof..and trouble free..check their web site to get specs and then look to E bay for a new one at a discount...Mine is a 2613 charger with 3 legs of 5 amps each...if you only have 2 batteries you can use 2 legs on one battery to gain 10 amps for faster charging and the 3rd leg of 5 amps on the second battery and so on..If you look on E bay you can look down below the normal auction things and find the dealers that sell on E bay..mine was very reasonable and shipped quickly..no one in town had the one I wanted and wanted 2 weeks to order..I bought it and had it within about 5 days....so there is my 2 cents.

[iclypso]

If you want to start with the basics, this site is awesome: Comparing marine batteries (Gel, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM), flooded lead acid)

The author of the site above also recommends Nigel Calder's Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual.

Someone might be able to answer your question specifically but learning for yourself is more of a "teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime" deal.

[ALUMINATOR]

Here is a link to another good charger.

--Pro Charging Systems LLC-- Dual Pro Marine Battery Charger--