On-Board Battery Chargers?

[ScottV]

I considering installing an on-board battery charger in my boat and was wondering which to buy. I have a 24v trolling motor so I'll need a 3 bank charger. The cheapest I have seen is the Bass Pro one, but the customer ratings aren't that good. Also 5 amps per bank or 10, which is best?

[Cane Pole]

Dual Pro. Make in America (Nashville). I have 3 of them. No problems.

[ScottV]

Dual Pro. Make in America (Nashville). I have 3 of them. No problems.

They do have the best ratings, but they are expensive. This may be one of those, "you get what you pay for instances". Thanks Cane Pole

[CatFan]

I'd go with 10A per bank.

[Corker]

5 amps per bank or 10, which is best?

"Best" in this case means "sufficient capacity." If your habit is to fish a long hard day and then go again at dawn the next morning, a 5-amp cooker probably won't get your batteries back up to 100% in so few hours--especially if you're using high capacity batteries. Unless you do back-to-back days, the 5-amp unit will do fine. It will just take longer. I'm using 6-amp chargers and if I hook the boat up the minute I get home, I've never had to wait the next morning for the charge to finish.

[PIGINTHEPIGPEN]

I have been real happy with my Minn Kota so far.

[majflyboy]

Dual Pro. Make in America (Nashville). I have 3 of them. No problems.

That's what I have. Get 7hrs out of my 80lb terrova with i-pilot. Haven't tried more than 7hrs yet but still had juice.

[blairarnold]

I've got the Cabela's store brand 3 bank charger. I've just had it a year, but so far I've been very happy with it.

[PanMan_VA]

My Guest dual bank charger has been in constant use since 2006 and is still going strong. I also have a BPS XPS (repackaged Pro Mariner?) single bank charger that works well.

Go with 10 to 15 amps per bank. The faster you can get a battery back to full charge, the longer it will last.

[fished-out]

Got a 4 bank "Dual" pro for my 36 volt system--4 seasons and still going strong. Prior boat, had another brand (can't recall the name--got it at Bass Pro)--there was a recall and they replaced it with a Dual Pro. Never looked back.