Originally Posted by gcromer
There was a discussion a few days back about charging batteries, or was it on the NC group...Age is taking is toll, Any way I though I would throw in my 2 cents worth on it...
I don't fish as often as it seems some of you do, but if I'm not going back on the water the next day, where I need a fast charge, I use a constant voltage charger.
It's sort of like a trickle charger, but the voltage stays at 13.5 volts from start to finish.. It starts out at about 750 ma. That's 3/4 amps.. and as the battery reaches it full charge of 13.5 volts,the current keeps droping back until it 5 ma.
It stays like this and doesn't boil out the water.. I've added water to my batteries 2 times in 2 1/2 years. About 6 oz. each time. Most of the trickle chargers that I've run across have no regulation on the voltage and some I've seen go as high as 14.8 volts, so the battery is setting there just getting the water boiled out.
I've used my trolling motor all day, come home and stick these units on and go back fishing in a couple of days and the battery seems to be fully charged and I would fish another full day...
The nice thing I like about these units is that I pick them up for $9.95 at Harbor Freight when they have them on sale. I given a few away to friends and so far everyone has been pleased with then.
I didn't use the boat all summer and the battery was ready to go and didn't have to add any water for the Fall Brawl. I did use my larger charger up there where I was fishing every day and most all day with the trolling motor really getting a work out this year.
Gerald K4NHN
Cayce, SC