SCFD rtrd. Posted July 1, 2017 Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 The charger that came with my boat lasted just over a year. I replaced it with Pro Mariner and that one lasted about two years. First one charging lead stopped working, then about a week later a second charging lead stopped working. Had a Pro Mariner in my old bay boat that lasted about 13 years. So, does anyone make an onboard charger that will last? Looking for a 3 bank, 20 amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted July 1, 2017 Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 I've had good luck with the Minn Kota 3 bank on board charger.....if you have it in console...you should always open hatch or doors to let it vent and get some circulation of air while it's charging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rckeat Posted July 1, 2017 Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 I have had my Minn Kota charger since 2005 and it still works just fine. A second vote here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted July 2, 2017 Report Share Posted July 2, 2017 You might try a Powermania. I have the 3 bank, 20 amp model. It has active cooling, and amazing fast charging. A lot of the high dollar custom boat builders are now using Powermania. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flychukar Posted July 2, 2017 Report Share Posted July 2, 2017 I just put a new Guest 2613A in the boat. Got 12 years out of the last one. 3 bank/15amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICH12 Posted July 2, 2017 Report Share Posted July 2, 2017 Also had the Guest 2613a 15amp on my 01 2200v replaced it in 2014. Was very happy with it. J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted July 2, 2017 Report Share Posted July 2, 2017 I second the idea of making sure the charger has plenty of fresh air. They cook very fast if in a closed console. I have have had good luck with guest and pro mariner. The best charger will fail without ventilation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted July 2, 2017 Report Share Posted July 2, 2017 15 hours ago, SCFD rtrd. said: The charger that came with my boat lasted just over a year. I replaced it with Pro Mariner and that one lasted about two years. First one charging lead stopped working, then about a week later a second charging lead stopped working. Had a Pro Mariner in my old bay boat that lasted about 13 years. So, does anyone make an onboard charger that will last? Looking for a 3 bank, 20 amp. Here is what mine looks like and where it's mounted.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted July 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2017 Well I have to admit, lack of ventilation might have been the problem with my last two chargers. I've never had two chargers fail this quickly. It's installed in the below deck compartment behind the leaning post. Three batteries are in there also. I wouldn't say it's a sealed compartment, but the only way to ventilate it is to leave the lid open. Maybe I need to think about the Powermania because of the "active cooling" feature. Thanks for the help, this is undoubtable the best boating forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted July 2, 2017 Report Share Posted July 2, 2017 3 hours ago, SCFD rtrd. said: Well I have to admit, lack of ventilation might have been the problem with my last two chargers. I've never had two chargers fail this quickly. It's installed in the below deck compartment behind the leaning post. Three batteries are in there also. I wouldn't say it's a sealed compartment, but the only way to ventilate it is to leave the lid open. Maybe I need to think about the Powermania because of the "active cooling" feature. Thanks for the help, this is undoubtable the best boating forum. The Minn Kota dealer told me anytime I was charging make certain I had all doors, hatches etc open...the more air flow..the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted July 2, 2017 Report Share Posted July 2, 2017 Just like last night, I had my charger going. I had my console door closed and my black sunbrella console cover on. I have done that frequently and to date, have not experienced any problem.....yet. When I checked it this am, it was warm but not hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy21 Posted July 3, 2017 Report Share Posted July 3, 2017 I have a Charging Systems International 3 bank model. They've home office is in Nashville. It is 8 years old and works great. Never an issue with undercharged batteries. My optima blue top batteries are over 6 years old and run my 80 lb Minn Kota all day long. You probably can't go wrong with any already mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdemott Posted July 3, 2017 Report Share Posted July 3, 2017 I also use a Powermania. Love the built in fan. Since my boat is on a floating dock it is in the hot sun when I charge and I like the fact that the fan will come on when needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted July 3, 2017 Report Share Posted July 3, 2017 I have bought and used all the top names: 1.) Dual Pro - 2 years on my flats redfishes in2003 2.) Minnkotta 4 bank - 7 years no problems 3.) No ProMariner - same charger 3 years now All under console with door cracked when charging for a bit of air. No problems with any.... My recommendation - get what you can buy at West Marine - buy the longest warranty you can get so it if craps out - you just take it back and get another. the other top one - Stealth - seems to be a favorite on the forum as well.... I also have a 10 year old Minnkotta single charger that I keep just in case one lead takes a dump I can always charge. So far, only had to use it when I ran the house battery down and burned up a bilge pump due to a stick caught under a water indicator...no big deal, just added water and charged it up. DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLDXT Posted July 3, 2017 Report Share Posted July 3, 2017 I have had good luck with dual pro, last one was 13 years old and mounted in my console. I just bought a new dual pro, decided to keep this out of the boat and install when charging because it's heavy, it gets hot and I plan to upgrade my tm to group 27 and move my house/starter to my console. So far no issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 On 7/2/2017 at 2:27 PM, SCFD rtrd. said: Well I have to admit, lack of ventilation might have been the problem with my last two chargers. I've never had two chargers fail this quickly. It's installed in the below deck compartment behind the leaning post. Three batteries are in there also. I wouldn't say it's a sealed compartment, but the only way to ventilate it is to leave the lid open. Maybe I need to think about the Powermania because of the "active cooling" feature. Thanks for the help, this is undoubtable the best boating forum. Based on this, I would say your problem is the charger being installed in a below deck hatch. Most charger are sealed, but saltwater is sneaky. Might consider installing the new one in a better place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 1 hour ago, hurricane said: Based on this, I would say your problem is the charger being installed in a below deck hatch. Most charger are sealed, but saltwater is sneaky. Might consider installing the new one in a better place. X2!!!!!! All chargers, regardless of make, will fare MUCH better above deck and dampness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted July 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 I agree, but to install the charger in another area would necessitate lengthening the charging leads. The Powermania charger has all the internal guts potted, so that and the fact that it has a small fan for cooling should be ok in the below deck compartment. Ordered the Powermania today. If it doesn't last, they you can say, "I told you so". Thanks for the help!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernieNC Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 FYI..... Everything is potted on the Stealth and you can order it with however long you want the cables. No splices! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 You can't miss on the Powermania. You will be amazed at how quick it charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ififish Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 My noco genius has been flawless for past two years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david Terry Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 A quick question, if you have your charger mounted on board, can you eave the charger connected to the batteries, or do the charging leads have to be removed when not charging and simply using the batteries? This would be for my trolling motor batteries if that makes a difference. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernieNC Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 8 minutes ago, david Terry said: A quick question, if you have your charger mounted on board, can you eave the charger connected to the batteries, or do the charging leads have to be removed when not charging and simply using the batteries? This would be for my trolling motor batteries if that makes a difference. thanks Leave it connected to batteries all the time and just plug it in when charging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted July 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2017 Yep, it designed to be a permanent part of your electrical system. Unless it stops working, you don't have to do anything once installed, but plug it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishtails Posted July 6, 2017 Report Share Posted July 6, 2017 On 7/4/2017 at 0:35 PM, ififish said: My noco genius has been flawless for past two years 2x on the Noco Genius. I have the Gen3, and I love it plus the price was excellent. Three bank charger 10 amps per bank. Charges quickly and it only charges the batteries that need it. Maybe that's why they call it a genius. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.