I currently have 4 Optima Blue Tops for the stereo and 1 Odessey Battery for the boat itself. They can all be run when switched to ALL on the Perko which is what I normally do.
When charging I switch to ALL and let them all charge.
I use a charger that has 2A, 10A and engine start options. I switch this to 10A to charge.
Lately it seems that they are not getting fully charged.
Do I need a different charger that allows for a deeper charge? Can I switch it to engine start (75A I think) to charge or is that too much?
What about buying a different charger that will let me switch to a higher amperage like maybe 20A or something like that?
Ideas or suggestions are appreciated.
I have used this charger many times and have been very happy with it. You just plug the boat in at night and it is charged in the morning. Its also nice because you just plug the boat in when it is in storage and it maintins the batteries.Battery charger (http://www.batterystuff.com/battery/...getek_2000.htm)
How many batteries do you have hooked up? Mine are in parallel so by switching to ALL on the Perko all 5 charge. Is this something you can buy locally or do I have to order it over the internet? You keep it plugged in during the off-season?
Tom, here is your problem. 5 batteries /10amps = 2 amps thats not gonna get it done trust me been there done that. The problem with the 75 amp engine charge it's not made to run constant. Most will run 15 minutes then stop because it's only for trying to start your engine right away and not charge. You need to go to Sears (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...61.1094050588@ @@@&BV_EngineID=ccefadcmgmmiiigcehgcemgdffmdfko.0& vertical=AUTO&pid=02871232000) and get one of these babies fully automatic.
http://content.sears.com/data/produc...232000-dlv.jpg
The 60amp will = 12 amp hours of a charge. It still will be close to getting all your batteries charged overnight for next day. That's why on my new boat I went with a Honda 2000 Generator and a 75amp inverter and I need only 1 Optima battery for my stereo system. In the future I would ditch all but 2 batteries 1 for engine and electronics and 1 for the stereo and go with the Honda and the inverter to keep you playing all day long. The Honda is 46 lbs and I'm sure that's less than the 3 batteries you would lose.
The problem with that big-ass thing is I leave my boat in the water in a slip when out at the lake. Although I do have power available at the slip I can't be hauling that thing back and forth. Yes, I am going to look into a generator and probably should have done that in the first place. I ordered one of the dual pro chargers from that site Riverbound posted. It has two connections which they suggested hooking up one to the starter battery and one to the other 4. http://www.batterystuff.com/battery/...o/dual-pro.htm That will allow 15A into the starter battery and 15A to the other 4 Optimas. He also said to switch the perko to either 1 or 2 but not all to seperate the charge. He also indicated to disconnect each battery and check it with the volt meter. I have checked them before but never unhooked them so it always shows full charge. This way I can see if I have one drawing down the others. Also, because they are a more sophisticated charger, especially when you get to that last 10% charge that they will be more fully charged and you can leave them hooked up all winter without burning them up.
Make sense? At least until next year when I will hope to have the generator hooked up.
Tom, here is your problem. 5 batteries /10amps = 2 amps thats not gonna get it done trust me been there done that. The problem with the 75 amp engine charge it's not made to run constant. Most will run 15 minutes then stop because it's only for trying to start your engine right away and not charge. You need to go to Sears (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...61.1094050588@ @@@&BV_EngineID=ccefadcmgmmiiigcehgcemgdffmdfko.0& vertical=AUTO&pid=02871232000) and get one of these babies fully automatic.
http://content.sears.com/data/produc...232000-dlv.jpg
The 60amp will = 12 amp hours of a charge. It still will be close to getting all your batteries charged overnight for next day. That's why on my new boat I went with a Honda 2000 Generator and a 75amp inverter and I need only 1 Optima battery for my stereo system. In the future I would ditch all but 2 batteries 1 for engine and electronics and 1 for the stereo and go with the Honda and the inverter to keep you playing all day long. The Honda is 46 lbs and I'm sure that's less than the 3 batteries you would lose.
I am very interested in using a honda generator, currently i have one Yellow Optima (engine) and two deep cycle bats hooked to a perko for stereo. My wife usually tries and kills both of the systems on the lake. She has to hear her boom boom.
Thanks.
Tom,
Minnkota, yes the fishing people, make some chargers that are fully automatic, waterproof, and work really well. I personally have a 3 bank, 30 amp Minnkota charger that I leave hooked up year round while it is in the garage. It is installed under my rear seat and I plug in when/where I can. The charger is about 20" long, 8" wide and 3" deep.
They also make a 4 bank 40 amp charger as well.
This was my fist time setting up my boat this way in the many years I have been boating. This is how I will always do it now. Perfect solution to what I was looking for and it could work for you too.
Good luck.
Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate it. I will let you know how this charger works out for me.
I put one of these in at the beginning of the year... Iota DLS-75 (http://www.iotaengineering.com/dls75.htm) .
http://www.iotaengineering.com/images/dls75.jpg
When shore powere is available...I just plug it in there and overnight I have had no problem recharging 4 Optima D31 batteries (the 900 CCA/1125 MCA ones)
On the water I have a 2000 watt Honda that keeps things going...
With the "Smart Controller" option..the charger works like a 3 stage fully automatic unit...great to leave plugged in 24/7...batteries will always be fully charged when ya need em...
Whipped Calliber also put one on his 28' boat.
I picked it up for around $200...(It retails for over $500)
If ya go with anything bigger than this and want to power it with a generator...check the specs...the model I got is a big as you can go with a 2000 watt generator...
PC
I wish you would have got to me before I ordered the other one PC
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