Batteries and Chargers (Keepers???)

[northern_outdoorsman]

My BassBoat has 3 Batteries. I need new ones, what do you all recommend? ALSO, I would like one of them Chargers that connect to all 3 Batteries and plugs into a 110 outlet to charge and maintain the charge, need info on that too! THANKS!

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Don, I too have 3 batteries. I have a Guest 2 bank charger on my boat. 1 bank charges the starting battery and the other bank charges 2 trolling batteries connected in parallel. Got it at bass pro for $89. I put an outlet on the outside of the boat so when I get home and park it, I simply just plug it in. I also keep it on all winter(trickle charge) No taking the batteries out. Works great!!!!

[Erik]

Northern, when it comes to chargers and batteries I really don't have a preferance, other than I have not had good success with the maintenance free type deep cycles with the exception of the gel cell type. I have not personally used the gell cells, they are very expensive, but I have ordered, and installed them for customers and those customers where very happy with them.
Heres a good link for those onboard chargers you mentioned. I'm sure there are many others available as well. http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi?current_category=electrical&search_in_category=t&keywords=charger&cart_id=808892736
Just remember to check and keep the water above the lead plates. Thats the number one cause of premature failure for deep cycle batteries that I see.

[northern_outdoorsman]

Thanks Eric...Does that one Plug in to a 110 Outlet? I do have some typ of on board charger but it only charges when the Motor is running....

[Erik]

Most come set up so you can either wire up a pig tail or wire up a receptical that mounts on or through the side of your boat. Depends on how elaborate you want to get. Then all you do is plug in your extension cord into it. The nicer units you can simply leave pluged in. Just keep in mind that you will still need to keep an eye on the water level.

[northern_outdoorsman]

Thanks Eric! Anyone else have a charger system they are happy with?