For those of you with small boats (like me) who don't have an on-board charger and must rely on a portable charger, I gotta say this charger is the bomb.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_66509_200003004_200000000_200003000_200-3-4

I had been using a Minn Kota portable charger up until about 3 months ago to keep the my 27 series batteries charged.  It seemed that whatever battery I connected to my Minn Kota Powerdrive motor lost a 1/4 of its charge within minutes of use.  The charger was saying the battery was full, but the charge-meter on the motor rarely showed more than 3/4 charged.  

I bought the Vector charger about 3 months ago and have been using it ever since.  It is FAR superior to the Minn Kota.  The Vector actually puts a full charge on the battery - according to both the charger and the motor's meter.  After a half day of fishing (and continuous motor use), I've still got most of my charge, unlike before where I was below half.   It also charged very fast, charged various types of batteries, has a reconditioning mode, and a trickle-charge feature.  

I just wanted to share my story.  I recommend this charger - highly.

 

Thanks for the info, i appreciate it since i'm currently in the market for one.  Thanks again.

Looks nice, I may have to leave mine in the rain, so I can tell my wife I "NEED" one of those.  ;D

I bought a Shumacher "Speed Charge" from Wal-Mart for a really cheap price (don't remember how much)  It works fine as long as the charger is kept at room temperature.  As soon as it is placed out of doors the ambient temperature swings seem to cause the charger to provide erroneous information.  The LED's often tell me that my battery is bad, but if I take the battery and charger indoors and wait for about 30 mins, then the charger will indicate that the battery is fully charged.  I finally got fed up with it and installed a DualPro charger in my boat.  I am now a happy camper.  I still use the Wally-World charger for the battery on my raft, but always at room temperature.

I also have a vector charger that is a 2/6/10 amp model.  It seems to work well.  I think I paid under $30 at Lowes for it a year ago.

I bought a Shumacher "Speed Charge" from Wal-Mart for a really cheap price (don't remember how much) It works fine as long as the charger is kept at room temperature. <SNIP> I still use the Wally-World charger for the battery on my raft, but always at room temperature.

I've been using 3 of those chargers from WalMart 24/7 for a few years now maintaining UPS supplies on equipment, one where it gets quite hot although not "sunlight" hot and I've not had any problems.  It sounds like you got a faulty one.   I've been very happy with mine and like the digital voltage read-out.

But the warning is well taken - if you need to run any charger where it gets hot, test in time to be able to return it.