Charging marine batteries

[brshooter]

The boat has hasn't been out since before Thanksgiving. Been fishing the north coast rivers. Going to the flotilla on Saturday and want to make sure the batteries are charged properly. I have a trickle charger with a 2 amp setting and a fast/start setting. Was going to use the 2 amp trickle setting. How long would you recommend leaving the charger on?

[SureSet]

I'm no expert Bill, but if you havent charged it since November, I'd probably leave it on 2amp 4-6 hours. I would check the battery after a hour or two and see if it is hot at all or is venting alot. If it was, I'd stop right there.

Many of the chargers have logic to sense the condition of the charge and vary the charging current and voltage to meet the battery condition. If your charger is fixed voltage/amperage, I'd watch it for signs of overcharging as I went.

SureSet

[bajaspecial]

That sounds about right...or over night would be ok too. I have an automatic charger, and havn't had the batteries on the charger for a few months now...on the 2amp setting it took a good 4-6 hours before it shut down. This is also dependent I believe on the CCA (cold cranking amps) of the battery in question.

Here's some great info on batteries and charging as well...

http://www.ifish.net/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=007216

[Mofish]

When you say marine Battery are they Deep Cycle?? If so 2amp charger over night that should top them off very well. The age of the battery is all also a question?? If they are over 4 years old you should up grade. The best battery for the money is by Interstate Battery you can find them at 12550 NE Marx the phone number is 256-3733.
If you want a battery that will last for much long and it charges great buy a Optima they are a Gel filled and are double the cost.

Good luck see you on the river Sat.

Mofish :rolleyes:

[ 01-18-2002: Message edited by: MoFish ]</p>

[Pilar]

This time of year I would go for overnight. It takes a while to warm up the battery and circulate the electrolyte. The electrolyte level will appear low until the cells start to bubble. If the level is still low then you may need to add a little distilled water.

If you are storing for the winter do this every month or two to keep the battery at full charge.

For deep cycle batteries use a trickle charger for best results.