On board battery charger education

[marshrunner757]

OK guys, I know zero about onboard chargers but I am tired of having to crawl in my boat, open front hatch and hook up my charger. I only use agm batteries and have no idea if all these onboard chargers are able to charge them. Also, should I get a 3 bank and run extension wire to the back for my starting battery or is that too far? The boat is 16'. Thanks for any info.

[keakar]

I used to use a trolling motor plug wired to a 2x4 and connect the charger to the bolts on the 2x4. it worked great for a long time and no more climbing into the boat to hook it up but I eventually got an onboard charger when I went to a 2 battery 24v system and trolling motor

[marshrunner757]

So on board chargers are safe with AGM's?

[PaulMyers]

Originally Posted by marshrunner757

So on board chargers are safe with AGM's?

Yes they are. Just look on the box to make sure the one you are looking to get does AGM. There might be a few out there that still don't do AGM but most all do.

[marshrunner757]

Originally Posted by PaulMyers

Yes they are. Just look on the box to make sure the one you are looking to get does AGM. There might be a few out there that still don't do AGM but most all do.

Thank you sir

[swd814]

Check out Stealth charging systems. Charges while you run, or from AC power. Use good AGM's (I use Optima's). A little pricy but have had no problems with mine on 2 different boats.

[marshrunner757]

Originally Posted by swd814

Check out Stealth charging systems. Charges while you run, or from AC power. Use good AGM's (I use Optima's). A little pricy but have had no problems with mine on 2 different boats.

I'll have to look at that. I run an optima for starting and sears die hard (very pricey) for TM