charging batteries

[blackmamba]

I have a 3 bank charger and I plug it in almost every time I take it out but I think I read somewhere that I shouldnt be charging it that much. How often do you guys charge your batteries?

[Jordan]

before i go fishing... everytime... no sicker feeling than a dead battery... i only use 2 of the 3 i have.... bit i charge them all 3 at the same time and it cuts off when their all charged....

[Tete Dur]

Originally Posted by blackmamba

I have a 3 bank charger and I plug it in almost every time I take it out but I think I read somewhere that I shouldnt be charging it that much. How often do you guys charge your batteries?

I recently read a few articles on how to maintain battery life on deep cycle batteries. They noted that the #1 reason for premature battery failure is not maintaining a full charge. I use to only charge the batteries before I would go fishing but now I keep those babies plugged in. If you have a decent charger it will only charge until the batteries are full and then it will go into a mode where it will only maintain the charge when the batteries lose some juice.

[Jordan]

I think mine does that.

[Ray]

It shouldn't hurt. The new smart chargers will charge each battery individually.
Marine batteries and AGM batteries can take a lot more charging cycles than
the normal starting batteries. They are made for that due to running them down
to hardly nothing with the trolling motors. I wouldn't worry about it. Leaving it
discharged will do more harm than good.
Correct charging can knock off sulfate build up on the battery plates, if you have
the correct charger. That itself will help keep your batteries in good shape.
If you have a book on your charger, read it. It will tell you a lot more than you
will ever need to know about batteries.

[blackmamba]

Thanks fellas. Its a new 3bank and it does cut off after the batteries are charged.

[Jordan]

HOOK IT UP !!!!!! their awesome !!!!

[all star rod]

I have a two bank and a 80# MK Riptide Pro...Once I get back from fishing I always charge it that night until fully charged. Also, I charge it before I go fishing again if I have not used my boat for at least a week or so...
Also, I think all chargers have this thing that shuts off the charge once fully charged just in case you leave it plugged in too long

[fishinpox]

check to see if it has a battery conditioner on it or at least it think that is waht it is called you just keep your stuff plugged in and it runs it down and charges it back it think

[adamsfence]

plug it in and leave it it should maintain it also check your water level if it gets low this is a sign of overcharging

[adamsfence]

always keep your batteries fully charged this keeps the acid and water mixed if not all your acid will settle at the bottom and sulfate your plates....My dad owns a interstate batteries distributorship this is the number one reason batteries go bad. if you have anymore questions on batteries you can pm me.... I had to work there for years growing up and know alot about batteries. if i don't know i will find out for you

[speck-chaser]

I have a 4 bank dual pro, I leave it plugged all the time.

[Dink]

Ya'll have any problems w/ the onboard chargers rusting in Salty environment?? I won't put one on b/c of that, don't want to waste the money............

[Ray]

No problems with rust on them if they are the newer type. I have a Guest and a Pro Charger. Both are plastic, sealed, explosion proof and ignition protected.

[speck-chaser]

Originally Posted by Dink

Ya'll have any problems w/ the onboard chargers rusting in Salty environment?? I won't put one on b/c of that, don't want to waste the money............

no problems as of yet been onboard about a year now. When I get back from fishing,just plug it in,and unplug right before I leave. Just love it.

[jpeff31787]

i took a class on batteries my last semester of college and they say to always keep a full charge on 12V. But the lithium batteries: let them almost die all the way then charge until fully charged then let them go back to nearly dead if you don't then they'll build up a memory and die faster if you charge them more often.