Battery tender

[Krsmith870]

We just recently bought a 2019 242 s e series and was just wondering what is a good battery tender for the winter storage? Thanks!

 

[Plpbecks]

I use the NOCO Genius Gen2 8 amp 2-bank on the same boat. You can get them on Amazon.

 

[tabbibus]

Like he said. NOCO GENIUS 2.

 

[Stevenpigsooie]

Noco is great and I use them at home for my RV battery. I installed the Minn Kota on my boat.

 

[Krsmith870]

Awesome! Thanks

 

[Dthorpe]

A two-bank Battery Tender is what I use, and it works great. It is rated slightly higher than the NOCO on Amazon and is cheaper:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NCOKV0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Marvin willis]

What volts are your batteries showing when you start your boat after letting it sit on the trickle charger for a couple weeks or so?

 

[Maccam26]

What volts are your batteries showing when you start your boat after letting it sit on the trickle charger for a couple weeks or so?

I’m curious on this also... mine show 12.1 - 12.3 at the connext unit before I crank. If I measure at the battery with switch off it is usually a tad higher 12.4ish

 

[WildCatFan54]

I'm very satisfied with the 2 bank / 12 amp charger I purchased from Cabela's. I know they don't make them , just their logo and think it is made by Pro Mariner ? I also have AGM batteries and this model is totally compatible which not all are.

Cabela's Pro Series Onboard Marine Battery Charger | Cabela's

The updated Cabela's Pro Series Onboard Marine Battery Charger boasts a heavy-duty extruded aluminum housing for 100% waterproof, saltwater-tested protection and more ruggedness than ever. Its...

www.cabelas.com

 

[tabbibus]

What volts are your batteries showing when you start your boat after letting it sit on the trickle charger for a couple weeks or so?

Don't know about trickle charger. But my NOCO genius gets them to 12.7 or so.

 

[Plpbecks]

Same as @tabbibus, 12.5-12.7 on both batteries.

There is a member that has a lot of knowledge of batteries and chargers, he had a good thread a few years back about why just a “trickle” charger isn’t best. How I understood it, for optimal battery health you need a multi-stage charger that can deliver variable amperage. I’m not the expert so probably best to read through it:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/do-you-have-questions-about-battery-chargers-i-am-here-to-help.1534/

 

[tabbibus]

I’m curious on this also... mine show 12.1 - 12.3 at the connext unit before I crank. If I measure at the battery with switch off it is usually a tad higher 12.4ish

Seems low. Is the blower running when you check?

 

[Maccam26]

Seems low. Is the blower running when you check?

No blower, just connext. Been like this for the whole year and never had starting problems but it’s always in the back of my mind

 

[Marvin willis]

My connext shows 12.2 before cranking. Always cranks right up but I thought it should be higher from trickle charging. I’m glad it’s not just me

 

[WildCatFan54]

Mine also displays low to mid 12 volt range on both engines when main switches are turned on and key in ignition before cranking engines. This is even after charger has been connected since previous weekend activities. When the engines are started both climb rapidly on Connext until stabilizing about 14.2 or 14.3

 

[Jgorm]

I probably have 7 of them and keep going back to battery tender brand. I use the small one for things like jetskis where I'll never use a lot of power per day and the 5a version for the boat and sxs that might need extra juice to charge the aux battery after lies if stereo play. The other brands fail in a year or 2. My older battery tender is about 15 now. I've had 3 other off brand 3 stage chargers fail. Costco has them on sale sometimes.

 

[2kwik4u]

I probably have 7 of them and keep going back to battery tender brand. I use the small one for things like jetskis where I'll never use a lot of power per day and the 5a version for the boat and sxs that might need extra juice to charge the aux battery after lies if stereo play. The other brands fail in a year or 2. My older battery tender is about 15 now. I've had 3 other off brand 3 stage chargers fail. Costco has them on sale sometimes.

Same here.

I have an incredibly simple electrical system on my AR190 compared to many others here. Single battery, single switch, very little electronics. I use this one between outings, and then all winter while in storage. Never measured voltages before/after. Never had a dead battery either.

022-0197

 

[dzeppos]

Silly question -but any recommend a 2 bank tender that uses the alligator clips instead of rings as i like to use the boat periodically in the fall and spring and don’t want to use the rings (for quicker hookup and removal). Or is this something you buy separately ?

 

[ZGhost]

I use the 10 amp Minn Kota three bank charger. Spendy but very reliable and very advanced. I went with the three bank one in case I added a third battery in the future for something. Otherwise, the 2 bank one would be sufficient and cheaper. High reviews for Minn Kota everywhere and you can pick up one up on Amazon for excellent price.

 

[Stevenpigsooie]

Minn Kota is great and like ZGhost stated they have advanced features. Mine will make adjustments based on the air temperature among other factors.