So I have a couple of questions:
I bought an on board charger for my 2 batteries that power my 24v trolling motor. It is a minnkota charger with 2 banks, 10 amps per bank… However, I have my batteries in the front compartment of the boat, where the seals around the lid leak, so I put the batteries in boxes. this being said, I didn’t want to mount a $200 charger in a wet environment so I’ve always unhooked the trolling motor, and then hooked up the charger when it needed charging. So my first question is this:
1.) When using an on board charger with 2 banks, on a 24v system, won’t the wire that connects your + to - make it one big circuit, thus making it pointless to have 2 banks? Or are you supposed to disconnect your wire between the + and - before charging? if so this seems like it would be just as much trouble as unhooking it all together.
2.) Where can I get a roll of the weather stripping that has an attached tube of cushion on it? it goes around the rim of the compartment lid to keep water out. its a 2000 scout, front compartment if this helps. Its like the normal type of weather stripping but then on one side it has an attached tube to better seal against the compartment lid.
3.) Once (if) I get the charger mounted, is it best to leave it plugged in all the time, or charge it up, and then put a cheap trickle charger on it?
Thanks and sorry for the detail
#3. I leave mine plugged in all the time, mine has a charge indicator (red light) and a maintain indicator (green light)
#2 I have a Scout 177, and my batteries and charger are all under the seat in front of the console… never had any problems, but mine is fairly dry… most of these units are waterproof, I have had my unit about 4 years.
not sure about #1
KNOTHEAD
In response the Question #1
No you do not need to remove the wire that connects the battery in series. Without going into a long explanation, the charging voltage will only flow through the respective battery that the charging leads are connected to. Two set of leads for two batteries for your set up.
Iain Pelto
Edgewater 185CC “Jumpin’ Bean II”
Sea Hunt Triton 160 (yet to be named)
Native Manta Ray 14
“1.) When using an on board charger with 2 banks, on a 24v system, won’t the wire that connects your + to - make it one big circuit, thus making it pointless to have 2 banks? Or are you supposed to disconnect your wire between the + and - before charging? if so this seems like it would be just as much trouble as unhooking it all together.”
The wire is not a problem. Leave it hooked up.
“2.) Where can I get a roll of the weather stripping that has an attached tube of cushion on it? it goes around the rim of the compartment lid to keep water out. its a 2000 scout, front compartment if this helps. Its like the normal type of weather stripping but then on one side it has an attached tube to better seal against the compartment lid.”
I haven’t bought any in a while, but try West Marine and Lowes.
If the charger is waterproof (and I think it is), seal the lid and mount it in where you were afraid to mount it, but put a drip loop in each line, so water will not run down the cables onto a terminal. Remember: the charger will not be running while the boat is getting wet (unless you leave it plugged in outside in the rain).
“3.) Once (if) I get the charger mounted, is it best to leave it plugged in all the time, or charge it up, and then put a cheap trickle charger on it?”
I charge mine for about 24 hrs after each use and then unplug it until the day before a trip, when I plug it in again.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
You can leave it plugged in, though. Just make sure you check the water in the batteries every week or so. They’ll boil out on you. Even some charges that claim they won’t do that to you will.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
http://www.stealth1charging.com/
I have this system with AGM batteries on my boat and have had two plug in 2 times in three years. I did this just to test system, it was not needed. With this system I let my motors alternator to charge the batteries while on the water and heading back to the marina. I have always been good to go text time I want to go out.
the key to battery life is the amount of charge and drain on the system… keep it plugged to a charging system all the time…
KNOTHEAD