Another charger question.

[Newf]

Didn’t want to hijack the recent post on the Noco charger so here’s my question. If your boat is on a trailer, when not using it for 2 to 3 weeks at a time do you folks keep it plugged into a charger? I never did but have been told that I should. On mine, master switch is off so no draw on the start or house battery. Replaced my failed promarine charger with a Noco a year or so ago and have been plugging it in more often but is there a need if the boat is used every couple of weeks. Assumption is that we are talking about having good batteries so would you keep it plugged in?

 

[scar tissue]

I plug mine in if its going to be sitting for more than a couple of weeks. I would do it for less time if it wasnt such a pain in the butt to get at my batteries.

 

[sly_karma]

I mounted a little charger into mine that stays connected to the house battery, as there's a tiny draw somewhere on that side that I can't find. Over 3-4 weeks it will drain the house. The Blue Sea ACR does its job and the start battery is never affected. When I park the boat at home, I drape the charger plug over the side of the hull where it's easy to plug in. Tucks away quickly with a velcro strap when the boat comes out of the carport again.

 

[Marley]

I wired in a cable to the battery over Christmas that I can remove an inspection hatch and plug in a charger quickly. I always have mine on a charger at home while on the trailer. I figure why not especially if it’s easy.

 

[Kiwi Canuck]

It will depend on the charger you use, you mention you have a NOCO and I'm sure all NOCO's can be plugged in 24/7.
Some chargers don't cut the charging current enough once fully charged and can overcharge your batteries which will damage them over time, I have an older Schumacher Charger that I use for my motorcycles and yard equipment around the property and I always disconnect it once the battery is charged.

I use the NOCO 5X2 charger and the NOCO plug adapter for my boat, works great and have the charger permanently installed in the battery compartment and the plug adapter mounted by the Master ON/Off Switch, so it's easy to run an extension cord over the transom and plug it in, I leave my charger plugged in whenever it's parked for more than a day.

 

[Newf]

Thanks for the replies folks. I guess my only concern was the possibility of overcharging if left on all the time but if the Noco works as it's suppose too I guess that it shouldn't be an issue. My setup is pretty easy to use.

I have the Noco Gen 5x2 and a Noco dual plug permanently installed in compartment at the back of the boat. I ran a permanent cord from that compartment to the cabin so I would have power for my StorDry heater during winter months. On the outside of the compartment I use a splitter to plug into the Noco plug and also to a heater is the doghouse to keep the engine comfy should the temps drop below 0C. The heater is set to kick on at +3C.

 

[easydoesit]

My approach is a little different. My boat is trailered like the OPs. I take out both batteries in the fall and keep them in the garage. Once a month I check the charge and put them on the battery charger if required. Simple and easy to access. Good opportunity to service batteries as well.

 

[Newf]

My approach is a little different. My boat is trailered like the OPs. I take out both batteries in the fall and keep them in the garage. Once a month I check the charge and put them on the battery charger if required. Simple and easy to access. Good opportunity to service batteries as well.

Good idea for sure if you have easy access and are not using the boat for extended periods. I use the boat year around so not practical but I check the batteries quite often with a multi meter and around once a year with a hydrometer.

 

[landcrab]

Didn’t want to hijack the recent post on the Noco charger so here’s my question. If your boat is on a trailer, when not using it for 2 to 3 weeks at a time do you folks keep it plugged into a charger? I never did but have been told that I should. On mine, master switch is off so no draw on the start or house battery. Replaced my failed promarine charger with a Noco a year or so ago and have been plugging it in more often but is there a need if the boat is used every couple of weeks. Assumption is that we are talking about having good batteries so would you keep it plugged in?

I just turn my battery switch off. I have everything except the bilge pump turned off when the switch is off. Never had a dead battery.