Ok, so I have a DieHard charger. I have been charging my batteries with the fast charge (10a.) If I have time should I use the "trickle" (2a) charge? They both have an "auto-off"/"maintain" on those settings. Which is better to use? My batteries are just EverStart Deepcycle Marine (biggest size). Will the 10a give less life to the battery over time? I'm just wondering what is the best way to charge them. Also over the winter do you guys leave your batteries on a "maintainer" literally all winter and when you're not using it? Does a Battery Tender work?

 

Thanks

There is a topic that i accidentally posted that doesn't have a complete title, wouldn't let me delete it. Sorry about that, moderators!

I'm just now starting to be more methodical in my charging, as I'm historically pretty hard on batteries.  A few ground rules I try to live by:

• Charge them after you use them... don't let them sit empty.
• Check your water levels regularly.  If you charge a battery with the plates showing, you're killing capacity.
• Don't overcharge!  Be thankful for that auto-off feature on your charger.
• You SHOULD get a consitent charge at either 10A or 2A... as long as you don't overcharge (which yours won't do).  I've read some folks say that the slow recharge of a battery is better for it, but I'm not sure it matters all that much.  I usually do a trickle charge, but mainly because I don't have an auto-off charger and don't want to burn my batteries out.
• Battery Tenders are great and can be left on long term.  They are especially helpful if your batteries stay hooked up and you have something connected that causes a slow draw.

Use the 10 am setting not the 2 for charging.

Heat is what kills a battery faster than anything, Check the water regularly during the summer. If you have to add water, make sure your using distilled water. If you have the time, I would recommend using the 2 amp over using the 10 amp.  I personally use a Minkota d210 onboard charger.  My BPS xp charger burnt out and killed my trolling motor battery, so I had to get another.  It was 116 bucks at wally world- 2 bank 5 amp charger with an auto trickle charge feature. Very nice to plug it in and forget it.

2amp has always been better for the battery on the long run, from experience it seems batteries that charged on 2 amp lasted longer. Make sure you check water levels and put acid in it every few times its low or once a yr

AC Delco used to suggest 15 amps for their batteries. 2 amps is not enough. A deep cycle needs to be hit harder than 2 amps. The theory that 2 amps is being "easier" on the battery is total hogwash urban legend.

 

Always charge when you get home. A battery that's at less than full charge will experience plate sulfation if left in a discharged state.

 

Always try to NOT let your batteries be discharged past 50%. Although deep cycles are designed to be ran down and recharged over and over, running them down past 50% affects their lifespan. No, they don't have a "memory" either. That is also urban legend. Memory effect only applies to NI CAD batteries.

2amp has always been better for the battery on the long run, from experience it seems batteries that charged on 2 amp lasted longer. Make sure you check water levels and put acid in it every few times its low or once a yr

 Never EVER add acid to raise the fluid level in a battery ADD DISTILLED WATER.

Never EVER add acid to raise the fluid level in a battery ADD DISTILLED WATER.

from time to time you will need to add acid,

from time to time you will need to add acid,

No you don't unless you turn the battery over and spill out some of it.

Yes you do, they will reach a point where they will no longer hold a charge, I've been dealing with golf cart batteries for the last 10 yrs . yes you will have to or simply get another battery and waste a lot of money

Yes you do, they will reach a point where they will no longer hold a charge, I've been dealing with golf cart batteries for the last 10 yrs . yes you will have to or simply get another battery and waste a lot of money

http://www.trojanbattery.com/Tech-Support/FAQ/Maintenance.aspx

 

 

Read Sulphation section 6 in this article:

 

http://www.powerstream.com/1922/battery_1922_WITTE/batteryfiles/chapter10.htm