With the reintroduction of electric boats, on-board battery chargers have become a must-have for boat owners. For a motor that runs completely on electricity, getting stuck in the middle of the river when the battery runs out can be a major fear. Luckily, battery chargers have been made portable—hence the name, on-board—to prevent such tales.
Marine Battery Chargers
As the name suggests, marine battery chargers are a kind of accessory made for vehicles that move on water. They are no different from the typical chargers when it comes to the build but the finishing is what defines their purpose. The prices of these accessories vary according to model and producer so it is important to know what kind of charger a vehicle needs before opting for one.
Boat battery chargers
Besides the traditional means of charging boat batteries, portable battery chargers are essential. These life-saving devices come in handy whenever the boat has to be out on the water for a good number of hours. Due to their use, they are waterproof and produce no vibration whatsoever when in use. The best part about these accessories is that they can be left unattended to in the boat as they not only charge the battery but also prevent the battery cells from depleting when abandoned.
2-Bank On-Board Chargers
Every boat powered by electricity runs on batteries (not just one) which determines the choice of the battery charger to be purchased. However, without an understanding of these elements, you may as well purchase anything labeled charger and put on your boat.
Each trolling motor battery requires one bank so for two batteries, you need a 2-bank onboard battery charger.
3-Bank On-Board Chargers
As explained above, it is the number of batteries available that determine the type of charger used. Every battery carries a voltage of 12V so for a boat that has two of such batteries and one starter battery, a 3-bank onboard charger is necessary. A 2-bank charger can still be used but to be able to charge all three simultaneously, a 3-bank charger is recommended.
Brands
Minn Kota battery chargers
In the quest for a better alternative to regular marine chargers, Minn Kota battery chargers were developed. The on-board battery chargers recharge batteries for a longer duration and are pretty easy to install. Another problem that this device has solved is the issue of overcharging or undercharging batteries. With this, you can connect your batteries to charge and leave the country without bothering no worries.
ProMariner On-Board Battery Chargers
In the same spirit of development, ProMariner on-board battery chargers were designed to give boat owners a pleasurable experience on or off the water. The charger has a sensor that prevents it from over or undercharging the batteries and indicates any faults detected with the charging system.
1) Minn Kota MK-315-D – 3 Bank On-Board Battery Charger
The Minn Kota brand released the Minn Kota MK-315-D – 3 bank on-board battery charger to provide a more efficient means for charging systems that run on a total of 36V. It carries the Minn Kota signature microprocessor which prolongs the battery shelf life and regulates charge rate. The charger automatically goes off when it senses that the battery is full.
The smart charger is a welcome idea from the brand as it employs a system that doubles the charging rate when the temperature goes up and keeps you up-to-date with the battery level. In addition to all of these, it possesses all the qualities of a good marine charger: waterproof, vibration-proof, water-resistant, easy installation.
2) Minn Kota MK-210-D – 2 Bank On-Board Battery Charger
The Minn Kota-210-D model is a 2-bank onboard battery charger that is compatible with 12 to 48V systems. Using a sensor, it detects when to stop and start charging by reading the temperature. It is an amazing choice for new boat owners especially because it possesses a status display that shows the battery level so you can disconnect it yourself if you don’t trust the sensor.
The battery charger produces power of 10A which charges batteries relatively fast and doubles charge rate when the temperature is high. By purchasing this 2-bank onboard charger as a boat owner, you are guaranteed a charger that would last for decades.
3) Promariner Prosport 20 Plus Gen 3 Marine Battery Charger - 20 Amp - 3 Bank
From the stables of Professional Mariner comes the ProMariner PROM-43021 – 20 AMP 3-bank onboard battery charger. The charger was specifically built to eliminate the need for on-board chargers (although it is one itself) by using a battery saver to slow down the consumption of energy.
Using a digital display system, the charger reports any fault detected on the charging system or absence of any fault.
4) PROMARINER PROSPORT 8 GEN 3 MARINE BATTERY CHARGER - 8 AMP - 2 BANK
The brand stepped up the game with the release of the ProMariner PROM 43008 on-board battery charger. Taking into consideration the weight of previous battery chargers and in a bid to provide more portability, the ProMariner PROM 43008 flaunts a lightweight model.
When the charger detects that charging is complete, it switches to a conservative mode that keeps batteries at a 100% charge. It is an effective choice when it comes to lowering power consumption.
5) PROMARINER PROTOURNAMENT 360ELITE CHARGER - 36 AMP
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Continuing with the vision, the brand came up with the ProMariner ProTournament 360 Elite Charger. The portable charger is the faster charger available with its features. These include 5 Stage Charging w/ Temperature Compensation, Reverse Polarity Protected, For Flooded & AGM Batteries, Ignition-Protected Components, Waterproof Connector Port, Amps - Output: 36 Amp, and a Digital LED Display. It's efficient when it comes to rejuvenating a 2 bank battery system. Like its counterparts from the same brand, the charger detects when the battery is full, stops charging and switches to a power-saving mode.
With all of these brilliant features, it could be difficult deciding which charger to purchase for your boat. However, your choices are narrowed down to either 2 bank or 3 bank chargers depending on the number of batteries powering the boat.
Additionally, if you prefer a charger that charges super fast, you can go for the ProMariners but if you require a temperature-sensitive charger that is easy to install and still charges pretty fast, then opt for the Minn Kota battery chargers.
