Battery Charger

[raymondlet]

Has anyone installed a battery charger with external plug mount and where and how did you install it?

[NCangler]

I installed an on board charger in the battery compartment on the front wall where the cooler sits. I mounted the outlet plug under the control console beside the tackle storage boxes. I've attached photos.

[Gator]

NC Angler, first of all...I wish I was in the market for a Triumph 215 this year.....yours is loaded to the gills....love that!

On the battery charger....I have a 2007 215cc....do I need one on my boat? I mostly troll thus motor running (200 hour LY alone)..............thx for your thoughts on the matter.

[NCangler]

If you're using the boat quite a bit you probably don't need one. It was a convenience factor for me. Plus sometimes we would head out in the afternoon to catch live bait for a fishing trip the next morning. Rather than have the bait well pump running all night and draining the battery, with the on-board charger installed I simply hookup power at the dock and the pump can run all night with no battery drain. It is also convenient when I get home after washing down the boat to simply plug the outdoor power cord into the receptacle under the console and know that the batteries are being trickle charged and regulated to keep them fresh.

[OspreyVic]

Gator, based on what I was told by my battery manufacturer, EVERY boat owner needs a charger. After talking to the folks at Yamaha, I fully agree.

After taking your boat out, even if you turn everything off when you reach the dock, the motor will not leave your batteries at a FULL charge. For sure if you leave anything hooked up as you travel home, the batteries will continue to discharge.

Yamaha and Lifeline Batteries both said to put the boat away with the batteries fully charged if we want them to last longer. I have chosen to follow their advice. Why purchase batteries more often? I can use my money better than they can. I even hook up the charger for a few hours if the boat is not out in two weeks, and always charge them the night before going out.

Just my opinion. Lifeline Batteries - Marine & RV Deep Cycle Batteries

[glehav]

gator vic is right you can get alot more life out of your batteries if you keep them charged all the time. most important is in the winter time when it is cold a charger that will trickle the batteries all the time will save you money in the long run. plus they are always ready to go. i have my charger on all the time in the winter. and in the summer about once a week just to keep them hot... i mounted mine inside the center console on the lid that you take out to get to the batteries and your other wireing. i put 1/2 spaceser under it so it was not right againest the lid so air can get around it , they tend to get a little hot some times. and ran the wires to the batteries throught the slots in the lid when i want to charge the batteries i just open the cc and get the plug out and close down the cc but not lock it down ... hope this helps... tip.. do not put anything on are around the charge like life jackets when it is on. like i said they tend to get hot and over heating it could not be good for it.