Charge after every trip
I'm using a two bank on board charger, and usually charge batteries every 2nd or 3rd trip. How often should I be charging? Do batteries develop a memory? My volts never go below 11.
Triton 190FS, 200hp Optimax, HB 798C HD & War Eagle 548LDV, HiTek, 30hp Mercury, HB 998C HD
Fishing is a privilege...catching is a bonus. Enjoy each precious moment we have to experience our great outdoors!
I don't trust chargers.
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I'll assume you are using flooded lead acid batteries w/fill caps --
You should charge your batteries after every trip, as soon as you can. Batteries don't develop a memory, but keeping them fully charged as soon and as often as possible will definitely make them last longer. Sulfation occurs on the negative plates if the battery is left at a low state of charge for extended periods ... and that can lead to a weak performance and a shorter battery life.
Also be sure and check the water levels once a month ... and if they're low, but the plates are NOT exposed, charge the battery FIRST & then add distilled water to bring the water level up to just under the fill holes. IF the plates ARE exposed, when you check, fill with distilled water just enough to cover the plates & then fully charge them, finishing off the fill AFTER they're fully charged.
You really don't want to fill the fluid levels up INTO the fill holes, because when you charge the battery again, it could bubble up "out" of the hole and run out onto the top of the battery. The electrolyte fluid will expand when being charged.
Well enough to leave them on continuous charge.
Burma Shave.
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