Battery charger vs onboard charger

[Eric Maisch]

I currently have a minn Kota battery charger that was given to me when I bought my boat. What is the difference between this and an onboard charger except for the obvious that it mounts in the boat. Is there positive and negatives of each.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Depending on the age and features of the charger not really any difference. The on-board are manufactured to be water proof, vibration resistant and provide the ease of just plugging in wherever you take your boat. They are most all equipped with a variable rate charge feature and can accommodate different kinds of batteries. Most portables are not so heavily featured but can be used if you want to lug it along.

 

[TOMMY RICH]

Althouh alot of regular chargers are 10 AMP and onboard's are usually 6 AMP or less.

Less charging time on a 10.

 

[Lonnie Current]

Eric I

 

[Lonnie Current]

One more thing. Living in SE Oklahoma on Lake Eufaula I usually fish all year. However in the winter if I'm have to miss a couple of weeks due to bad weather (I'm old and don't take it as well as I once did) I still plug in the charger about once a week and warm them up.

 

[Terry Rittenhouse]

On-board, 100 times more convenient. You can get them with up to 15 amps per bank.

Eufala is spot on. Do exactly as he says and batteries will last longer.

 

[edward hughes2]

On board,the convienance is worth the price,and dont get a larger amp charger than you really need,my z7 came with a two bank 6 amp onboard,works great,dont boil the acid outa the batteries,and recharges my 24 volt system in a couple of hours.