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I am looking at adding a 2 bank on board battery charger for my 17 Outrage. I have two Blue Top Optima batteries in the console, and would like to add a charger.

Can anyone give me a recommendation on a charger, I don't use an electric trolling motor.

Thanks

Kent

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Delran makes a a Battery Tender thats waterproof and comes in 1, 2 or 4 bank chargers. It is a simple plug in or clip type units. You can leave the unit on and it charges then stops and keeps the battery up until needed.

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Kent,
If you don't use a trolling motor what do you see as the issue? Are you leaving the boat in a slip with bilge pumps on? I have used two different ones, the first when the boat was in the slip was a solar trickle charger. It worked fine, never a dead battery when I got to the boat. The one I have now is a standard battery charger from Walmart that I use to change the batteries at the beginning of the season. I have drifted all day with the radio on and never run the battery so low I can't start the boat.
I do not leave the battery on a charger over the winter. if it is fully charged in the fall, I disconnect the battery from all leads and cover. It stays mostly charged until spring and the outoard usually turns over on the first try. If not, out comes the walmart charger.

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Kent -

I presume you trailer since your photos don't show bottom paint. If that is the case, consider a trickle charger/battery maintainer.

It's funny that you posted this. I was thinking of going out today (57 degrees) and realized I forgot to turn off the Perko switch in November. Battery is dead. I pulled it and put on the charger in the house. Oh well. Maybe there will be another flukey warm day before March.

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Phil, 57 deg? Is it April where you are.....;)

Should have given a bit more info.

The previous owner had wired the boat with an on board charger, and with the position of the batteries, and having a plug in socket on already on the console. The on board charger would make it quite a bit easier to keep the batteries charged. I'm using the boat year round, and it's been a pain to pull out the regular charger to charge. I do keep it on the trailer, not moored. Just looking to see if anyone's had experience with on board chargers.

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I installed a battery charger/maintainer on my boat last year. I really like having the batteries completely ready at any time without me having to remember to charge the batteries.

I have a picture of where I installed mine in my Personal Page. I also installed a voltage sensing relay/battery switch to help with the battery maintenance, also pictured.

Doug

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Been using these for years, so +1 on the Deltan Battery Tender. Attach pigtail to batteries, plug in to charge. Simple and effective. And cheap.