battery chargers? do you use them?

[cooky]

while i'm on batteries, I've noticed these expensive battery charger units being advertised. Do people use them? I guess the purpose is to drip feed current to your battery when stored so it's always 100% charged.

I have left my boat for 6 weeks at a time and the battery starts boat no probs. If I feel like a top up I throw on normal car battery charger overnight.

just wondering if they're worth having.

[devocean]

I have one that charges when the motor is on works a treat.

[QldKev]

I think a lot of the better chargers are for the electric motors. Its just a matter of set and forget. With the auto ones generally you will need to remove them once your battery is charged.

[finga64]

If your worried about batteries going flat whilst in 'dry dock' for periods of over 6 weeks I use a solar panel charger with an inbuilt regulator and works a treat. Batteries will always discharge if not used regularly.

[baldyhead]

I use a Protecta on board charger which keeps the voltage @ 13.2v constant, it only works for a minute @ a time and this pulse charge is sufficient to keep the battery charged without any sulphating or water loss. I have had my boat battery using this for 2 years without the need to top up the water from charging. I would only have used a teaspoon of top up water in this time.

[Jack_Lives_Here]

I just bought a Bee Tech charger for charging up the leccy batteries. Not cheap but I'm very impressed with it - $600 mark. I got a 24v set up and went for a 25amp model "Smart Charger". It essentially dumps the initial charge in and once at a certain percentage trickles from there. Once charged, it goes into a "float" mode - can leave it attached indefinitely without harming the batteries (that's the theory)

[tonyp]

If you have a 24 volt set up i would suggest a Guest 2620-230 Onboard water proof charger. Plug in and forget.

It is only 10 amps but for the serious angler is plenty enough charge to look after your batteries. It will charge upto 150amp and maintain to 300amp batteries. #3 stage smart charger.

Have a look at

http://www.guestindustrial.com/

I have a vested intrust in them as of now so if you need any info please let me know.