Onboard battery chargers....looking for help in choosing one

[Mike S.]

With my boat upgrade, came many batteries.  I am sick of the hassle of runing 2 chargers for my trolling motor batteries.  I am interested in the MinnKota chargers....mainly because of the price.  I haven't looked into any others.  I like the MK210, but I'm thinking about throwing another battery in the boat for my electronics, so the MK315 is sticking out, too.  Do any of you run either of these, or a MK charger for that matter?  What do you think of them? Durable?  Worth the money?  Or, what do you run, and how do you feel about it?  Your opinions have influenced several of my fishing purchases, so let's hear what you've got to say.  Thanks.

[markgoetsch]

I have the 4 bank and its worked great so far.  The only thing I can recommend is that if you plan on running optimas they can only be charged at a max of 10amps.

[Mike S.]

That is why I was looking at the 210 or 315.  2 or 3 banks at 5 amps per bank.  They have longer recovery times, but I don't need to hyper charge my batteries anyways.  How long have you had your charger?

[Dan]

It's my opinion that the Stealth Charging System is the best of the best. Danny, the owner, gives you fantastic support that can't be beat.

http://www.stealth1charging.com/

[markgoetsch]

I've had it for a little over a year and it can take a beating.  I fish about 5 days a week on lake erie so lots of charging and lots of pounding.

[thedude]

i've had a dual pro for 7 years and its still runs like a champ - 3 bank, 10 amp ea i think.

[Cy]

I have a year or two old Minn Kota 210.  I have been really happy with it.  I had Dual Pro before that died.  I think the Minn Kota puts a better charge on the batteries then my Dual Pro did.

Cy

[djkimmel]

5 amps per bank? You're talking about a charger not designed for overnight charging of deep cycle batteries with any serious use on them if that is correct?

Deep cycle battery experts I have talked to over the years say 10 amps per cycle isn't really sufficient for full size deep cycle batteries. They've told me we should be charging at 15 amps minimum. That's what I've been doing for a long, long, long time because they know their batteries.

I'm surprised to hear Optima only can be charged at 10 amps? Why is that I wonder? I have seen that different types of batteries have voltage limitations, but had not heard before of amp limitations.

[Eric]

When I swapped out my 24 V TM for a 36, I got a MK440.  Early this summer, I lost a bank on it, so I called, sent it in, and they sent me back a MK460.  I really liked the 440, but really, really like the 460.  The 15 amps per bank is amazingly fast.

[REEL_MAN]

I use delco voyager batteries and have charged at 15 A per bank using the dual pro for years and from talking to others I get an additional year out of my batteries. 15A per bank is the only way to charge.

REELMAN
<))))>{

[Dan]

Hey Reelman,
What brand of charger do you have?

[Hooksetter]

I had a Guest 3 bank 15 amp per bank in my Stratos. I got 5 good years out of my OEM batteries with that charger. The charger lasted 7 years before it fried. I replaced it with same charger, it was about $325.00 if memory serves. I had no complaints or problems and it would charge the batteries FAST!

Willie

[REEL_MAN]

2 bank dual pro when I need to replace I'll go to minnkota 345

[Skulley]

I got the 3 bank Minn Kota that charges at 15 amps per bank.  I have had Dual Pro's.  In the last 8 years I have replace two of those.  The last time it was time to try something different so I tried the Minn Kota.  So far, so good.  If it lasts more than 4 years then I would have gotten my money's worth.


BD             

[Puma]

I've been running a Dual Pro 3 bank "charge on the run" for over 15 years in 3 different boats.  Had one small issue once, (seemed a bit noisy) years ago and they replaced it, no questions asked.

[SethV]

I have a 4-bank dual pro.  It has been ok - replaced once under warranty.  I also submerged it (along with everything else in the boat) once and it didn't work for a day or so, but then dried out and has worked fine for a year since then - so they are not totally waterproof.

Seth

[djkimmel]

Not the recommended way to test that!

[t-bone]

Seth has a Ranger that sometimes fills in (up) as a submarine. He is the only angler I know that has a parascope mounted on the console.

[djkimmel]

Not a confidence-making device when I see it on a boat... but having been once referred to as 'the U-boat commander' with my old, old, old truck... I can sympathize.