Originally Posted by jcclark
Read the owner's manual to your charger and see what it says. If you don't have the owner's manual then more than likely you can go to the manufacturers website and view one.
If the charger fails and continues to charge then it will boil a lead acid battery dry. Eventually after enough time a charger that is stuck in full charge mode will cause a fire. As for low electrolyte levels there is a very small amount of evaporation even when everything is working correct. I typically add a small amount of DISTILLED water to my lead acid batteries about twice per year. Mine get charged about 40 or so times per year.
I have a gel battery for my cranking battery and absolutely love it. Zero maintenance and it has excellent cranking amps as well as great reserve capacity. I get a lot more years out of a cranking battery than I do trolling motor batteries. I have considered going agm on trolling batteries but price is a good bit different between a AGM and lead acid battery. Plus a lead acid battery is super easy to find. Heck most people in KY are within 30-45 minutes or less of a Wal Mart that is open 24/7 so it always easy to find a wet cell trolling motor battery if you're in dire need. I don't know the real reason why but most boats run lead acid trolling motor batteries. I know of very few who run agm for trolling motor batteries...if my pocket book would allow, then I would go lithium but thats way of of the range I am willing to spend on batteries for my boat.
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