onboard charger

DirtyMike · Jul 13, 2016

I'm trying to narrow it down between a few on-board chargers.

1. Minn Kota MK-315D On-Board 12V Marine Boat Battery Charger 3 Bank x 5 Amp MK315D ($152)
2. ProMariner ProMar 1 5/5/3 13 Amp 3 Bank On-Board Marine Boat 12V Battery Charger ($130)
3. Promariner Prosport 20 Gen 3 On Board Marine Boat Battery Charger 20 Amp 3 Bank ($180)

All prices are from ebay. This would be installed on my 2 trolling batteries and my starting battery. I'd like to throw on the Minn Kota Marine Boat On-Board Battery Charger Precision MK-345PCS 3 Bank 15A but at $250, I start to hesitate.

Thanks for the help and eventual derailment.

guywhofishes · Jul 13, 2016

Hmmm... what happened to Guest brand? Used to be very well regarded. Mine has been great (12 yrs).

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buy the longest warranty?

johnr · Jul 13, 2016

Figured that sparkly blue boat would have been set up with that type of necessity.

my dipshit buddy Jeff's boat came with it, and he is cool like you...:;:cheers

SDMF · Jul 13, 2016

MinnKota over ProMariner. Twice on Sunday's.

Allen · Jul 13, 2016

I have both a Lund (made by Minnkota, I think) two bank for the trollers, and a single bank Guest for the starting battery. 12 and 8 yrs old, respectively.

Of those listed, I'd go with the $180 version. For a couple reasons, first...It's your money and not mine; and secondly...when camping at the lake, a shorter turn around time is often helpful if you're using the electric motor a bunch. It used to be that deep cycle batteries didn't like chargers above 5 amp, but that's a thing of the past nowadays.

guywhofishes · Jul 13, 2016

I agree - the $180 - cuz I can count the number of times I wished I had bought the cheaper item on one finger

and that's because it was stolen soon after I bought it

DirtyMike · Jul 13, 2016

johnr said:
Figured that sparkly blue boat would have been set up with that type of necessity.

my dipshit buddy Jeff's boat came with it, and he is cool like you...:;:cheers

I bought the boat under the premise that it had an onboard charger. Dickhole minnesotan failed to mention that it was now a paper weight with wires.

MuskyManiac · Jul 13, 2016

I've been happy with my ProMariner, but I would get a little bigger one with more amps. The ProMariner ProSport 20+ is nice.

Up Y'oars · Jul 13, 2016

I have the MinKota 320 and it's been a charm the past four years....

sierra1995 · Jul 13, 2016

I've got the minnkota 330d charger. No issues, I bought it used on ebay for $100. Got it 4 years ago.

PrairieGhost · Jul 13, 2016

I am on my second MinnKota. I wish I had bought the three bank, but I got the two bank for my trolling batteries and run a 1/2 to 2 amp maintenance on the starter battery. After putting in the new MinnKota I tested the old one and it was till oK. It's been five years so I don't remember what the problem was. I did save the old one in the event the new one bites the dust.

Ericb · Jul 13, 2016

Definatly go with the highest amp rating you can. I have a 10amp charger that after heavy use won't fully charge a battery overnight. 5amps after multiple days of use you may end up with a dead battery.

SDMF · Jul 13, 2016

Ericb said:
Definatly go with the highest amp rating you can. I have a 10amp charger that after heavy use won't fully charge a battery overnight. 5amps after multiple days of use you may end up with a dead battery.

Agreed, 10A/bank is bare minimum IME.

Account Deleted · Jul 13, 2016

Haven't had my Minnkota long enough to give you a review. I got a really good deal on a two bank and I couldn't pass it up even though a three bank would have been more handy. I'm stupid and I do stupid things.

DirtyMike · Jul 13, 2016

I'd go with a two bank if I didn't have anxiety about running out of juice to start the motor while on the water. Being as I run two graphs off of the starting battery, voltage gets a little low by the end of the day. As it stands, my farm and ranch charger is starting to be a pain in the ass. I have my trolling batteries tucked into a compartment and accessing them takes some flexibility. I've thought about the 2 bank route but I know sdmf would yell at me.

*edit: every since I upgraded to windows 10, my keyboard has a friggen mind of its own. I re-read some of my posts and I sound like an idiot. Moving on.

SDMF · Jul 13, 2016

DirtyMike said:
I'd go with a two bank if I didn't have anxiety about running out of juice to start the motor while on the water. Being as I run two graphs off of the starting battery, voltage gets a little low by the end of the day. As it stands, my farm and ranch charger is starting to be a pain in the ass. I have my trolling batteries tucked into a compartment and accessing them takes some flexibility. I've thought about the 2 bank route but I know sdmf would yell at me.

*edit: every since I upgraded to windows 10, my keyboard has a friggen mind of its own. I re-read some of my posts and I sound like an idiot. Moving on.

I only run a 2 bank. I run 3 graphs, radio, and pumps off my group 27 AGM. And it ain't the keyboard (grin).

guywhofishes · Jul 13, 2016

DirtyMike · Jul 13, 2016

Maybe it isn't. Ive been in a funk the last few weeks. Can't wait for 5 days off next week since 4 will be spent in a boat.

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guywhofishes said:

Davey Crockett · Jul 13, 2016

Not an onboard charger but has anyone tried one of these with the battery recondition feature ? My forklift has had a weak battery for ever but I seldom use it so I just lived with it, I hit the recondition button and walked away thinking that has to be a hoax but it sure felt good to be wrong.

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I think boat batteries that have a slow steady draw could really benefit from a recon once a year .

PrairieGhost · Jul 13, 2016

*edit: every since I upgraded to windows 10, my keyboard has a friggen mind of its own. I re-read some of my posts and I sound like an idiot. Moving on.

My phone does that to me. I start trusting it, then it changes words on me and I -------- ya look like an idiot.

onboard charger

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