Battery/Charger

[MOKID]

My question is this: Is there a difference between battery chargers for a marine battery vs regular car battery. I was told that there is and that I need a different charger for each battery. Any info is appreciated.

[MACK C-85]

My basic understanding:

A "Marine" battery is usually a deep cycle battery that is designed for heavy discharge/recharge cycles. ie runnning trolling motors all day, then getting recharged. This is what you want for boondocking in an RV.

A regular car battery is designed for quick discharge/recharge. i.e. start the car and be immediately recharged by the alternator.

Yes, they do need a diffferent charger.

[RRS2670]

I use a 1.5a Schumacher trickle charger/maintainer for my battery when it's not in the trailer. I know the difference of how the batteries are designed/used, but I don't know if there's a difference in chargers. The charger I use is listed to charge small batteries like tractor and motorcycle batteries and to maintain RV and boat deep cycle batteries. I just leave it plugged in, when battery is charged, charger goes into a float mode that monitors voltage and automatically charges when voltage drops below a certain point.

While pulling my trailer, the alternator is charging the battery. Don't know how most vehicles come wired, but mine (02 Chevy Express 1500) only had the 4 pin flat harness for lights. I had to wire the brakes and wire from alternator back to 7 pin recepticle to charge battery while driving. Car alternators typically have a high amperage output to charge the vehicle battery.

[mainah]

The answer is yes and no any charger will charge any battery the problem is with batteries that do not do any thing for a great deal of time this is where a proper 3 stage charger comes in. Most standard chargers are poorly regulated because they don't need to be because of short duration where as a good 3 stage charger is well regulated and goes through desaulfate to float mode, perfect for long term storage. The battery maintainers are very low current and some what regulated they won't cook a battery. The TV charging system is some what limited to 30 amps max output by the fuse, wire size, and wire length. The TV alt. voltage is regulated by the sum of both batteries so it is unlikely to over charge.

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by MOKID

My question is this: Is there a difference between battery chargers for a marine battery vs regular car battery. I was told that there is and that I need a different charger for each battery. Any info is appreciated.

Jim, what are you trying to do? Charge the camper battery on the bench to bring it up to full charge from being drawn down?

And how long are you trying to do this for? Just bring it up to full charge or maintain it 100% of the time once charged?

As far a purley charging a drawn down lead acid marine battey up to full charge verses a lead acid starter battery, both will can can be charged with the same charger. However what you do with either once fully charge does make a difference for both of them.

Need some more info to better answer the question.

Hope this helps

John

[MOKID]

John
I had to replace my battery this year and I was wondering what I need to use this coming winter when I take the battery out and put it on my work bench. What is the best thing to do for a long battery life. I will have to purchase a charger so I wanted to know what to purchase.

In the past we have taken the trailer to Florida for a few months in the winter so I haven't been taking the battery out but our plans have changed for this coming winter as we have grandson's playing basketball so we want to hang around here for the winter.

Thanks for your help.

[Musikaldave]

I have a solar powered 1.5 amp trickle charger as well.

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by MOKID

John
I had to replace my battery this year and I was wondering what I need to use this coming winter when I take the battery out and put it on my work bench. What is the best thing to do for a long battery life. I will have to purchase a charger so I wanted to know what to purchase.

AH... this helps.

Here this is what I use. I actually use it all the time when the TT is parked at the house waiting on the next camping adventure all year round. And I use these on the tractor, truck, lawn tractor, SIL's boat battery.

Batteryminders Specials | BatteryMinders.com

You can buy them on line from many plances for around $40 to $45.

BatteryMINDer Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator — 1.3 Amp, 12 Volt, Model# 12117 | Battery Maintainers| Northern Tool + Equipment

Amazon.com: BatteryMINDer Model 12117: 12 Volt 1.33 Amp (12V 1.33A) Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator: Automotive

Just type in "VDC Electronics 12117" and pic the store of your choice. Shipping may be more at some places then others.

Thess units uses pulse technology for desulfation. C Teck is another good brand. HenryJ has one as the VDC seems to be hard to get in Canada.

These folks CTEK Battery Chargers | The World's Smarter Battery Charger

Good luck and hope this helps.

John

[MOKID]

Thanks John, you are always a big help.