Guys/gals:

I am seeking recommendations for a good 3 bank on-board battery charger. My ProCraft has a one bank charger that I want to replace. I have 2 12v batteries connected in series for the 24v trolling motor and one 12v for the outboard/accessories. I assume I will need to hook each battery to its own bank on a charger (I charged them all individually for last week's trip with 2 different chargers and a trickle charger on the outboard battery after that). THANKS!!!

BTW: BPS has a nice 3 bank charger on sale right now: XPS I 5/5/5 - $130 plus $13 shipping. Anyone have an opinion on it???

POPEYE - I am not a expert like many on here.  My research has said to buy one that is 'smart'.  meaning:  it will redirect it's charging amps to the battery that needs it.  In addition - A lot of the less expensive models do not have good power going to the batteries - not charging them up in time to take her out the next early morn if you fished hard the day before?

my two pennies!  A 3 bank would be nice!  One plug in for all batteries!  Good luck my man!  

Happy Releasing,

H.G.

popeye,

I've been looking around for the same thing also. The people who work the BPS's in my area said that the XPS has had a lot of problems. The reviews on the site are prety bad also. Frequent returns and short life-span. They recommended the prosport model.

I have the XPS, batteries always stay charged. I like the go fish feature, no guessing.

I had 2 of the XPS 3 bank chargers; both lasted less then a year.  They upgraded me to the Pro Mariner model which is very similar (they make the XPS unit) and have not  had a problem yet.

Dual Pro is the way to go if you have some $.

LB

I put the top end three (3) bank Pro Mariner in my Tracker and it works like a charm.

Strongly suggest checking out the latest BPS catalog and read about the chargers.

I had mine installed by BPS professionaly and I keep it plugged in at all times.

Go for the most expensive one you can afford.  After all, it is your bass boat.

For years I have run nothing but ProMariner's ProTourny 300's and wouldn't have anything else. However, ain't no way ya gonna get that charger for $130.

Kinda strange all the negatives about the BPS charger and yet they say get a ProSport when they both basically went down the same assembly line.

I think a lot of that is caused by the internet. A couple of people get on here and complain, 30,000 more read their complaints and knowing nothing about the product other than what the couple that complained posted get on here and make it sound like the product is pure junk. However, the million good ones you never hear about because they have no reason to get on hear and say anything about them. If one with a good one did say it was a good product, the 30,000 would bash him to pieces, because they "read" two or three post where they were no good.

I think instead of "smart" I think he meant "on demand" charging. The ProMariner (and BPS) chargers transfer their charge rate to the battery needing charged. For instance, if you cranking battery charged in a 1/2 hour, and the others were still charging, the amperage for the cranking battery would be transfered to the others. Basically what this does is change your charger from a three bank, five amp charger to a two bank, 7 1/2 amp charger. Plus with their charging technology, they will still charge about as fast as most 10 amp chargers.

Dual Pro is the way to go if you have some $.

I have a rebuilt Dual Pro that I bought directly from them.  You get a much better price but a shorter warranty.  It has been great so far (six months).

I've had the MinnKota 3 bank/30amp(10/10/10) charger in my boat for about two years now, and have had zero problems with it. It charges up all three batteries very quickly too.

Many THANKS, guys!!! I'll let you all know which one I finally get.

I've posted this several times before, but here goes again......

I have a Dual Pro 3-bank in my boat that has been going 24/7 for TEN YEARS (other than time out when fishing) with no signs of quitting.  If it ever does you can bet there will be another DP in it's place.  However, as stated, they ain't cheap......around $385 I believe.

For years I have run nothing but ProMariner's ProTourny 300's and wouldn't have anything else. However, ain't no way ya gonna get that charger for $130.

Kinda strange all the negatives about the BPS charger and yet they say get a ProSport when they both basically went down the same assembly line.

I think a lot of that is caused by the internet. A couple of people get on here and complain, 30,000 more read their complaints and knowing nothing about the product other than what the couple that complained posted get on here and make it sound like the product is pure junk. However, the million good ones you never hear about because they have no reason to get on hear and say anything about them. If one with a good one did say it was a good product, the 30,000 would bash him to pieces, because they "read" two or three post where they were no good.

I think instead of "smart" I think he meant "on demand" charging. The ProMariner (and BPS) chargers transfer their charge rate to the battery needing charged. For instance, if you cranking battery charged in a 1/2 hour, and the others were still charging, the amperage for the cranking battery would be transfered to the others. Basically what this does is change your charger from a three bank, five amp charger to a two bank, 7 1/2 amp charger. Plus with their charging technology, they will still charge about as fast as most 10 amp chargers.

I have to agree with Way2Slow.  My father-in-law has had his BPS charger for over 3 years and no problems.  Stays plugged in all the time (except when fishing, extension cord is not long enough ;D )  I've had mine a little over a year with no problems.  Stays plugged in all the time.

Both of my BPS chargers were junk.  I am thrilled others had better luck but please do not suggest I imagined that both of my chargers failed in less then a year.

The replacement Pro Mariner DID NOT GO DOWN THE SAME LINE.  It is slightly different with slightly more power.  Even the people at BPS admit they have a very high return rate.

I understand that my Pro Mariner model is basically the same but so far I haven't had any problems.

If you search the board here, you'll find many, many people have had poor sucess with the BPS and it is not imagined.

Good Luck

I'm working on 3 years with my BPS 2 bank charger and it stays plugged in 24/7 all year long (as suggested by Way2slow) works great, would buy another.

Doug

LaurasDad,

Your post is why I've stayed away from this site for a long time and don't post much on these types of topics anymore.   I made a general statement and you make it sound like I was talking directly to you.  I have read a number of post where people have had problems with their BPS chargers.  I've also read post of people having problems with the DualPro, the Minnkota, their Quest and their ProMariners.  I've even had one of my PM PT300's go bad.  That's what warrenties and customer service is for.  When my PM broke, I had a brand new one at my door the next day.  I'm sure BPS provided similar support.  I've heard people say when their DualPro's went out, they had new one the next day.  If the DualPro didn't fail, you would not have been able to buy a rebuilt one at a discount and save those bucks.  

My statement was more aimed at most anything you see on hear, a couple of people post they had a problem with something and half the internet makes it sound like it's junk.  

My number one phrase to my customers is just because it's new, don't mean it's good, we get bad new s***t all the time.   With more and more of this stuff coming out of China, puts even more truth to it.

Both of my BPS chargers were junk. I am thrilled others had better luck but please do not suggest I imagined that both of my chargers failed in less then a year.

The replacement Pro Mariner DID NOT GO DOWN THE SAME LINE. It is slightly different with slightly more power. Even the people at BPS admit they have a very high return rate.

I understand that my Pro Mariner model is basically the same but so far I haven't had any problems.

If you search the board here, you'll find many, many people have had poor sucess with the BPS and it is not imagined.

Good Luck

No one is suggesting you or any one else "imagined" that you had problems with your BPS chargers.  I was not suggesting a BPS.  I was simply providing my direct experience with the product.  Even from what I've read on the complaints, the service and replacement has been great.  The same with most other chargers.  Any one wanting to buy any product has to look at quality, service and price.  For me, the BPS was a good deal,  half the price as a higher model and good service and warranty.  Now that I've had it over a year, it wouldn't be a big deal if I had to shell out another $150 for another one.  It is still cheaper than the ProMariner.  Take any product out there and Google the product name and complaint, etc and you'll come up with a million hits.  I had a Toyota Tacoma that was a lemon and a few years later had a Tundra that was just as bad.  Does that mean that Toyotas are not a reliable vehicle?

I've posted this several times before, but here goes again......

I have a Dual Pro 3-bank in my boat that has been going 24/7 for TEN YEARS (other than time out when fishing) with no signs of quitting. If it ever does you can bet there will be another DP in it's place. However, as stated, they ain't cheap......around $385 I believe.

;)X2

Never have had a problem with my 3 bank Pro-Charger. Knock  on wood . It is 7 years old and runs 24/7 too.