Choosing the right boat battery charger requires consideration of the type of battery, charging speed, and quick connect/disconnect features. It’s important to use the correct charger for each battery type and select a charger with settings for both starting and deep-cycle batteries. Automatic restart on power failure is also a useful feature.
To choose the best boat battery charger, it is necessary to remember that many boats use two different types of batteries. Another key to properly charging a battery is to use a very slow battery charger to fully charge the battery. Charging a battery too quickly can often result in a battery that won’t hold a charge for a long time. A trickle type charger is the proper unit to use for most batteries.
While the starting or starter battery in a boat is almost always a 12 volt high amp battery, many boats are often equipped with a 12 volt deep cycle battery as well. This battery typically powers optional equipment such as trolling motors and electronic fish finding devices. While both batteries are 12 volts, they require different types of chargers to properly maintain them and keep them fully charged. Using the wrong boat battery charger in either can damage the battery beyond further use.
When looking for the best boat battery charger, buy a unit that includes a quick connect/disconnect accessory that allows the battery to be charged and maintained without removing the battery from the boat. Often the manufacturers of top of the line chargers will have additional quick attachments as well. These can be added to booster batteries or batteries in other vehicles, allowing the charger to be used in a wide range of vehicles.
When selecting a boat battery charger, choose one that has settings for starting and deep-cycle batteries. This eliminates the need for two separate cargo units to maintain a single vessel. High-end models will allow both types of batteries to be charged and maintained at the same time. While this charger within a charger is more expensive initially, compared to buying two individual high-quality chargers, it’s often very reasonable.
If the price of a boat battery charger is not an issue, select one that incorporates an automatic restart on power failure. In the event of a power failure, the typical charger will simply shut down on its own, which can lead to a dead, dead battery. With an automatic restart feature, the device will turn itself off and back on periodically. This not only saves energy, but also prevents overcharging if the battery is connected to the boat’s battery charger for long periods of time between uses.
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