Looking for....

[JustinM]

Suggestions for a onboard charger dual bank. I would like a built in alternator, waterproof. It also needs to be able to figure out/able to charge two different types of batteries, one deep cycle one cranking, at the same time. Also do they also have a ac connection to charge them? I have zero experience dealing with on board chargers. Would it be better to add a third battery? One for cranking, one for trolling motor and one for everything else? Icurrently have a basic charger and it gets annoying not being able to charge both batteries at once. What would you suggest? Thanks in advance!

[lroberts]

Call Matt at Interstate Batteries of Bloomington about this. 812-334-2102
In most boats that run a 24 volt system the cranking battery runs the outboard and the others run everything else. In my 21X2 the cranking battery runs off of an alternater (sp?) and you should rarely have to charge it if the battery is good shape. What type of boat do have??

[JustinM]

It's a bass tracker tx 17. The batteries are new within 4 months. But I'm really thinking about adding a third battery at this point.

[bmck25]

Is your trolling motor 24v or 12v? My boat has a 24v trolling motor. Everything else on my boat is ran off of my cranking battery. Thats lights, electronics, pumps, ect. Everything that is 12v. I have a 3 bank charger. Charges both trolling motor batteries and my cranking battery. I go fishing and when I come home I plug my boat in. My cranker is also charged when I run my big motor but sometimes that is very little. When you have 2 gps on, livewell, and lights it can put a strain on your cranking battery. Thats why I charge it after every use. Some people don't and never have a problem.

I have a dual pro. I hear alot of good things about the Minkota chargers also. Guest is another good one. I have heard alot of horror stories about Dual Pro but I have had no issues.

[JustinM]

Everything is 12 volt.

[idbefishing]

I don't think it's neccessary for you add a third batt. unless you want to. Your motor stator should charges the cranking batt. How much depends on the size of the motor, rpm and run time. A 2 banks charger should do you just fine. You can install a battery switch that would allows switching back and forth between the 2 batts. It wouldn't do much good on your boat.

[bmck25]

Everything is 12 volt.

You should only need a 2 bank charger then. Unless you think you might ever move up to a 24v trolling motor. In that case get a 3 bank.

[JustinM]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Which brand of charger would you all suggest?