AdamS Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 As I'm new to the boating scene any help is appreciated. My boat came with one of the minn kota on board chargers and I'm just wondering how often should I be charging my batteries? I'll try to get the model # if that helps but from what I remember I think it charges all of them. Right now I'm using the boat about once a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esoxansteel Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 I charge after each trip, deep cycles are made for charging, that way you always have a full charge when you go out, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 Yep, plug it in all the time. The charger should also be a battery minder. P.S....dont forget to unplug before leaving! S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish4Eyes Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 I charge after each use. If im staying at a lodge, I plug in as soon as I return from morning fish. Got like 6 years out of my Interstate deep cycle and I only run 1 so it had hard use. Can't count how many times I totally depleted the battery too, I would have gotten longer life if it wasn't for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Consigliere Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 What they said....every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamS Posted June 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Thanks for the replies guys. Sinker, what do you mean by a battery minder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Thanks for the replies guys. Sinker, what do you mean by a battery minder? Most chargers will switch over to 'maintenance' mode once the battery is fully charged ie trickle charging to keep the battery topped up while not in use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 I've read many reports on different boards about chargers being left on constantly, overheating, catching fire and destroying everything. I now only plug them in when required. Overly cautious perhaps, but at least it's safe(er) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scugpg Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 I've read many reports on different boards about chargers being left on constantly, overheating, catching fire and destroying everything. I now only plug them in when required. Overly cautious perhaps, but at least it's safe(er) I'm do the same. Don't leave mine on overnight either. That said how long do you think its ok to wait to charge them up again. A day or two? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 I left my batteries plugged in all winter... no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NANUK Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 An automatic charger can be left pluged in at all the time, that is the theory behind "automatic charger" and in a perfect world it should be OK. However, I charge my deep cycle bettery as soon as I get home, unplug the charger when the battery is fully charged. I guess I am overly cautious like Lew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkpie Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 I've seen at least one home burned to the ground from an "automatic charger". I only charge when I'm around and awake to keep an eye on things. Any piece of equipment or device can fail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 I've seen at least one home burned to the ground from an "automatic charger". I only charge when I'm around and awake to keep an eye on things. Any piece of equipment or device can fail. I'd probably put this on par with getting struck by lightning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkpie Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 I'd probably put this on par with getting struck by lightning Bad sh$t happens to people all the time. You do whatever you want. I don't leave the house with my dryer running either. I've see a few of those light up as well. Must be lightening! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) Bad sh$t happens to people all the time. You do whatever you want. I don't leave the house with my dryer running either. I've see a few of those light up as well. Must be lightening! I guess some people have extremely bad luck. Edited June 18, 2014 by BillM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 I hear furnaces start fires when unattended Guess I should turn them off when I'm out too. TV. VCR. P VR satellite microwave. Coffee maker. I'm going to be busy reset clocks on all those devices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 Terry, please be safe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 I swear some of you guys go out of your way to turn small things into HUGE things. I just happened to mention that I prefer to unplug my charger when it's not needed, but that's just MY personal choice. If you want to leave yours plug in all the time, that's entirely up to YOU. Really don't know why some things on this board are constantly blown WAAAAY out of proportion all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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