Battery charger

[Theresa Hill]

I am new to boating and need to charge the batteries. The boat is in storage that has electricity. Can I use a car battery charger or do I need to get something special for the boat batteries?

 

[Bruce]

I am new to boating and need to charge the batteries. The boat is in storage that has electricity. Can I use a car battery charger or do I need to get something special for the boat batteries?

You can use a car charger. It would be best to use one that has the ability to maintain the battery as well as charging.

The best option is to install an onboard marine charger. That way you simply plug the boat in and it keeps the battery at the optimal charge level.

How many batteries do you have?

 

[David Analog]

You should avoid the standard car charger that has, for example, a 2/5/10 amp selection. These are fine for a home garage emergency situation, but this is not the type charger you can turn your back on long term. This is typically what Sears, Walmart, and automotive part supply stores sell.
For a boat, in long term storage, you need a marine 'Smart' charger. This type of charger is multi-stage and automatically runs through a routine that correctly charges your batteries and does so safely. These can be left on the batteries long term. You should also have a dual bank charger that can profile and charge the two battery banks independently. So that is a marine, 'Smart', dual-bank, three-stage battery charger. You'll need the correct size of charger. For two standard sized batteries (probably Group 24s) you'll need a charger rated at 5+5 amps up to 10+10 amps maximum. Brands to look for might be ProSport by ProMariner, Guest, Xantrex, Dual Pro, plus a few others that fit the above criteria. Sporting Good stores who also sell boats will certainly have options. West Marine. The Charger Guy. Earmark Marine. The last two sources will give you the support you might need.

 

[Island Jay]

If you need help here, please reach out. I have a number of marine smart chargers that will work for your application from $75- $112. Mounted in the boat, hard wired, plug in, walk away, no need to worry about over charging.
thanks!
Jason

 

[swatski]

What they said. I got one from @ChargerGuy - one of my best /most useful mods.

 

[Minh Nguyen]

Thanks. Great info Dave! Will look into chargerguy chargers.