Battery charger for 18' bowrider...

Brian N

Brian N

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Overkill? Maybe, but I'd rather know that the battery is topped up when I head out on the weekend.

So any suggestions for a small on-board charger to install so I can plug it in when the boat is in the backyard?

It's a single starting battery only.
 
I put a lighter outlet near the swin platform on my bow rider, mainly to use for inflating things. And I I picked up a small charger / maintainer with a lighter plug , which keeps battery charged at 100% and can be left plugged in forever. I got it at NAPA, can’t remeber the brand, but it will come to me. Just make sure you buy when that is smart enough to maintain the battery and not overcharge.

Last summer I had a little solar panel which I left plugged in when the boat was not in my driveway, which worked well as I typically leave at a marina for a few weeks every summer.
 
Brian, under the heading of FWIW, I'm using AGM's and have let them sit for months and still have plenty charge left to start my 250hp outboard. I swap between batt's during a day on the water so that each gets charged. Other than when I had a stator fail way offshore and drained the batt's, I have never had a problem. Of course I also have a portable jump starter on board as a back up. Remember this thread: http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=199012
 
Not what you asked but even though a charger might be nice to have, I'd suggest a second battery would be a little better investment.

FWIW , I have a 27' gas T/I/B boat with extensive 2 station electronics, fridge, etc., but no generator , and while the boat has always had a marine charger installed and even had that updated to new multistage higher amp charger, in the 23 yrs I've owned the boat I have never felt the need to plug in the charger. Well, I think I did once just to see if it would light up. When leaving the baot at the slip, I turn everything off except the 2 float switch circuits ( on separate batteries.)
My 3 Grp 34 AGMs still last 3 to 6 or 7 yrs. ( always replaced before necessary) and though I haven't had any batteries go dead to need it, it very nice to know I have 3 that can start the boat if needed.
 
I use a Battery Tender. The latest version of what I use is the 800 model. Cheap on Amazon.
 
I have a great little battery charger - I’ll go see if the movers have packed it or if it’s still there so I can see what model it is. Combo charger/tender/load tester (doubt it is worth a damn as a load tester though)
 
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