I just bought a used bass boat and needed to buy a battery. I bought a starting battery and the salesman wanted me to buy an on-board battery charger for 90 bucks. I already own a trickle charger and just assumed that would work. Please tell me what you think. Should I buy a on-board charger or will my trickle charger work.

Thanks,

Jenga

If the battery is just being used to start your outboard and your outboard has a charger a trickle charger will be sufficient to keep the battery topped off between uses. Just make sure it is automatic and will not over charge your battery.

If the battery is also powering your trolling motor and/or your outboard does not have a charger and/or if your outboard only has a 5 amp charge circuit you will need to get a charger of at least 10 amps to charge it. again make sure it is automatic so you can leave it hooked up when not in use.

We really need to know more before we make suggestions. How many batteries does your boat have? Did you buy a cranking battery expecting to run your trolling motor from it? If so don't expect much life out of the battery.

An onboard charger needs a bank for each battery on your boat. I would get a proper sized on board charger it is so much more convient to plug in one charger and not need to be switching a seperate charger from battery to battery. Unless you run really long distances don't expect your outboard charger to keep your cranking battery up for several days fishing. Most boats are set up with the cranking battery running every thing but the TM. Depth sounders, live wells pull a lot of juice over time and outboard chargers don't put out a lot of watts at full speed and very little at idle.

if you do decide to get an onboard charger id recommend getting a guest charger, they have the best customer service in the game