Deep Cycle Battery Chargers

[grubman]

Hi all

I lost my nautilus battery charger when my basement got flooded from the heavy rain. Now I'm looking to get a new one. CT has one on sale this week 1/2 off. The only thing is this charger has mixed reviews, so who knows how good it is. Nautilus's current quality might be all junk. Does anyone have this model SKU# 011-155-0? What do you think of it, is it a good charger/maintainer? The CT reviews are hit and miss.

Bass Pro has one by Schumacher, not Michael....lol. The reviews are all positive except that only one in seven people have had for more then like a week, therefore their long term review is useless. It's currently $63 so only $13 more then Nautilus. One guy claims he has more then one and they are all still working.
If you have a Schumacher read this:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/car-parts-accessories/schumacher-electric/schumacher-electric-battery-ch-dc984.htm


Some one have another great charger for under $80?

Thanks for your responses.

 

[Dugger]

I used CT's Eliminator with all the bells and whistles it was on sale for $44 bucks, half price i believe and it did the job, turns itself off when charged etc. Not really a "Deep Cycle Only" designated charger but I had no complaints. I say "had" cause after two years of "going purely electric" I gave up on the hassle this season and bought a new 3.5 four stroke Merc lol god what a sweet little motor.

 

[grubman]

I used CT's Eliminator with all the bells and whistles it was on sale for $44 bucks, half price i believe and it did the job, turns itself off when charged etc. Not really a "Deep Cycle Only" designated charger but I had no complaints. I say "had" cause after two years of "going purely electric" I gave up on the hassle this season and bought a new 3.5 four stroke Merc lol god what a sweet little motor.

The chargers have to be for the right battery. I have some sealed gel cells I have to keep charged, that and I want to eventually go electric.

Yeah the four strokes are really nice.

 

[grubman]

So not too many boaters on OFF.

I stopped off at Walmart to see what chargers they carry. They sell Schumachers but the same model at BP for $63 is $70 or $79, I forget. Guess I was in shock that it's more expensive then BP.

In case anyone is interested I did go with the CT Nautilus charger. Used it 3 times to top up my gel cells. Seems ok so far. My cells were charged but the charger said they were only 90%. It's totally auto so time will tell if it will do a good job. It says that it will bring back a sulfated battery, this I have to see for myself.

 

[nato]

went to canadian tire and saw that they have those solar panel battery chargers, anyone know if those work?

charge power depends on size of the solar panel... however, i wonder if anyone knows anything about these .. using the solar panel instead of buying a battery charger.

 

[Joel52]

Hey Dugger, do yourself a favor. If you don't already, run the highest octane possible in your 4 stroke. For the extra money it's well worth it - learned that in my first year with mine (2006 Merc 9.9). Right now, PC sells Ultra 94. For the amount of gas I go through in a season, the difference is under $10. With a 3.5, even less...

 

[grubman]

went to canadian tire and saw that they have those solar panel battery chargers, anyone know if those work?

charge power depends on size of the solar panel... however, i wonder if anyone knows anything about these .. using the solar panel instead of buying a battery charger.

Are you willing to wait a week to maybe charge up your battery? I got the Nautilus charger from CT. Seems to work ok. Everything made now is so cheap and crap. If you got a deep cycle battery get the right charger that can charge them up properly. No you can't use a car charger for deep cycle battery, it won't get a full charge and will eventually let the battery sulfate.

solar panel chargers work fine if you have alot of panels and don't drain the battery too much. Wait for their prices to drop.

 

[Dugger]

Hey Dugger, do yourself a favor. If you don't already, run the highest octane possible in your 4 stroke. For the extra money it's well worth it - learned that in my first year with mine (2006 Merc 9.9). Right now, PC sells Ultra 94. For the amount of gas I go through in a season, the difference is under $10. With a 3.5, even less...

Thanks, Joel!!!!

 

[Dugger]

Are you willing to wait a week to maybe charge up your battery? I got the Nautilus charger from CT. Seems to work ok. Everything made now is so cheap and crap. If you got a deep cycle battery get the right charger that can charge them up properly. No you can't use a car charger for deep cycle battery, it won't get a full charge and will eventually let the battery sulfate.

solar panel chargers work fine if you have alot of panels and don't drain the battery too much. Wait for their prices to drop.

hmmm i tried using solar too for the battery, you need 15 watts min??? it was a headache, id hook it up in the boat and utilize it while i fished but the bare min of 15 watts did not do much

 

[grubman]

hmmm i tried using solar too for the battery, you need 15 watts min??? it was a headache, id hook it up in the boat and utilize it while i fished but the bare min of 15 watts did not do much

Last I read was solar panels have an efficiency of 10-15%. The newest ones the Nanosolar are suppose to be higher but they cost an arm and both legs. This is why the government reduced the subsidy program. Any house that put it on their roof the electicity is basically subsidized by everyone else. It made it more expensive for everyone.

Another system that is showing promise is the Cyclone Steam Generator. Ooooooops sorry guys way off topic here.......lol.

Nato, if you know you'll be needing your battery say the next day and it has to be fully charged then stick to a charger. Solar is not yet cost effective, you use it to trickle charge your battery but that unfortunately is about it. Besides, the charger is a Hell of alot cheaper too.