Batter Charger

[Sam]

The on-baord trolling motor trickel battery charger on my Tracker 185 gets very hot and the red light stays on while it is plugged in to the extension cord and I am trying to recharge the trolling battery.

Do you all think this on board battery charger is  operating correctly or is it broken?

Thanks for any feedback and advice you can offer.

Sam

[Redtail]

Is the extention cord a heavy enough grade.  The longer the ext cord, the heavier it has to be.  Mine is 100 feet and I think it cost me $75 because it had to be heavy duty ( I forgot the terminology).  I'm not sure that is your problem, just a thought.

[tritonman]

The length of the cord may play a factor in it if it is to small of gauge. How much air room do you have around the charger in the compartment? If you do not have air circulation that may play a factor.

You should always use a least a 12 gauge extention cord when charging the battery. A 16 or 14 gauge  cord may have some voltage drop depending on the length of cord.

[Muddpuppy]

Are you certain that the battery has plenty water or a cell has not gone bad?

[MisterGuru]

Batteries can be contrary things.  There are several brands of battery conditioners/refurbishers out there.

I think you can get a Vectory 2/6/12 computerized charger/reconditioner off eBay for about $35 shipped.

The reconditioning desulfates the battery... it is a 24 hour long process... after 2-3 passes the battery should be in near-new shape.  Also, if you have a problem a nicer unit like the Vector will let you know showing a particular fault code indicating a bad cell, etc.

I saw a bigger unit in Sams Club for around $60... also Vector.

Good luck.

[Sam]

Thanks to all.  

I was told by the service manager at Bass Pro Shops in Hampton, Virginia, that my Tracker battery compartment should be left open while recharging the trolling motor.  News to me as the people at James River Marine never said a word about it.

Special thanks for the 12 guage extension cord.  I will go to Wal-Mart and try to get one tomorrow.

Thanks to all for your feedback.  You guys are the best!

All have a safe and relaxing 4th of July weekend.

Sam

[Ben]

I made this post before I realized you said "trickle" battery charger.  Is this one of those little back things approx 3" X 4") you see around for $30 or this a two/three bank onboard.   Those little trickle chargers are not designed to charge a battery, they only put out several hundred mA's, they are only for keeping the battery charged (after having been charged on regular charger) while the battery is not in use.

How old are your batteries? A bad battery will heat up, never reach a full charge and make the charger run constantly, causing it to heat up also. Of the more affordable chargers, I like the ProMariner's. I think the ProTourney 300 is the best thing going for an affordable charger. They also make the BPS line of chargers. Once you understand how they really work, you will understand how they will charge a battery almost twice as fast as a similar size rated charger. Also, you're not carrying around the weight of an anchor, like the old transformer based chargers like Dual Pro and most others.

Are you by chanced stationed at Langley. I was there from 1984 - 1990 at HQ TAC.