Deep Cycle Charging

[HOPTOAD]

Hi
Just curious as to how yall charge your batteries. I have been charging mine right after I get home from the trip I charge it fully then unhook the battery I typically dont do a recharge before I go back out unless it has been 1 or 2 weeks. Is this thinking correct. Should I be doing a full recharge and then leave it hooked up in float (I have a smart charger) untill the next time I go out?

I know I need to charge upon return from fishing but my main concern is do I do a full recharge then unhook from charger and just take it the next time out( if it is just a few days), do I leave it hooked up after it is fully recharged in float, or should I recharge if has been more than 2 weeks since i last used the battery.

Sorry for being redundant but I just got a new battery and am going out tommorrow so I wanted to know when I got back tommorrow afternoon.

Thanks
HOPTOAD

[Salami]

Best to run batterys down.Then recharge My 0.02

[jpollman]

I don't want to start an argument here but deep cycles do NOT form a "memory" and should be recharged fully as soon as posible after use. I always charge mine after returning from my trip. I don't usually recharge again unless it's been quite a while since it was used. Even a couple of weeks isn't that long. If it's been a month or more I might top it off but even then, probably not necessary.

Here's a link to some very good battery information....

http://www.pacificpowerbatteries.com/aboutbatts/Deep%20Cycle%20Battery%20FAQ/dcfaq.html

Good luck and happy fishing !

John

[slivoskisp]

Best to run batterys down.Then recharge My 0.02

7.9. NEVER discharge below 10.5 volts.

[happyhooker2]

I run onboard battery chargers in both my boats. Soon as I hit the dock, the shore power kicks em in and in my duck boat I just plug in an extension chord to my 2 chargers and let em do their thing. They wont overcharge either, they will drop once the battery reaches 90 percent and it will keep it maintained near 100 percent until next use. I know guys who go all season without charging their batteries, but these guys also fish A LOT!!!

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

I Bought A Minn Kota 3 Bank 10amp Unit When I First Bought My Lund. I Mounted It In The Middle Of The Back Board( On The Outside )
And Used Two Commercial Stainless Steel Corner Floor Guards To Protect It And The Wires From Damage. When I Get Back From Fishing I Pull Out The Cord And Plug It In And I'am Ready To Go Fishing When The Green Lights Are On. One Battery Is For The Main Motor And Lights, Another Battery Is For The Kicker Motor Power Lift And Fish Hawk 600 And Auto Pilot, And Last But Not Least The Last Battery Is For The Almighty Downriggers.
This Has Been On Board My Boat And Working Without Any Problems Since 1999. If They Made A 4 Bank 10 Amp I Would Buy It Just In Case One Of The Banks Ever Went Out, But They Don't Or I Haven't Found It Yet.

[double trouble]

Just curious as to how yall charge your batteries. I have been charging mine right after I get home from the trip I charge it fully then unhook the battery I typically dont do a recharge before I go back out unless it has been 1 or 2 weeks. Is this thinking correct. Should I be doing a full recharge and then leave it hooked up in float (I have a smart charger) untill the next time I go out?

I know I need to charge upon return from fishing but my main concern is do I do a full recharge then unhook from charger and just take it the next time out( if it is just a few days), do I leave it hooked up after it is fully recharged in float, or should I recharge if has been more than 2 weeks since i last used the battery.

Sorry for being redundant but I just got a new battery and am going out tommorrow so I wanted to know when I got back tommorrow afternoon.


don't bother to float if it is only a few days or even weeks. not a bad idea to unhook or put a battery disconnect on them in case u leave something on.i use my voltmeter before a trip just in case.if i'm over 12.75 volts its good to go but check your manufacturers recomendations.open cell and agm's have different full charge voltages and temperature changes them too. it gets pretty scientific . i have been studying battery technology lately for a solar system i am planning on for the house. every battery is different. even from the same batch. i do like to top off the batteries the night before a trip.never hurts.especially with these smart chargers.just keep at over 75 percent full charge as much as possible when in storage (above 11.7 volts) and your batteries will last much longer.

[HOPTOAD]

Thanks for the replies everyone really appreciate it. The link to the battery FAQ was very helpful as well as everyones responses. I have been just using the new battery brining it home charging to full then disconnect immediatly upon full charge then just go fishing. I dont think I need to float charge since I fish about 3 times per week.

Thanks Again
HOPTOAD