So, does my boat motor charge my battery? Yes. When your outboard
Outboard motor
An outboard motor is a propulsion system for boats, consisting of a self-contained unit that includes engine, gearbox and propeller or jet drive, designed to be affixed to the outside of the transom. They are the most common motorized method of propelling small watercraft. As well a…
Does an outboard motor charge the battery when running?
most electric start motors will charge the battery, to maintain it for starting. if you plan on electronics, radio etc, you need another Deep Cycle battery for them. motor only put out a very small charge at slow speeds, most charging is done at fast speeds. Re: Does an outboard engine recharge the battery when running like a car does?
Do I need a battery charger on my Boat?
Onboard chargers are great, depending on your circumstances and electronics set up you have on the boat. If you have a trolling motor, then the battery charger is a must! If you don’t have a trolling motor and are only running 1 or 2 things on the boat, then you can probably get away with not having a battery charger.
Can You charge trolling motor batteries while fishing?
However, the trolling motor makes use of a battery that keeps it running, since most boats do not have electricity supply. While fishing, you could get stuck if your battery runs out, forcing you to use the outboard motor. In such a situation, knowing how to charge trolling motor batteries while on lake would save you a lot of trouble.
How do you recharge the battery on an electric boat?
Almost all electric start outboards have an alternator to recharge the battery. If the motor has not been run for a while, it always a good idea to put it on a charger before you take it out. Particularly on smaller motors whose alternators charge slowly. This makes sure you will have plenty of battery to crank for awhile if you have to.
How do I know if my outboard motor is charging my battery?
Put the multi-meter on Volts scale and look for 13.5 to 14.5v DC as indication it's charging. Anything around 12.8v or less means it's not getting charge. If it is below 12v with the engines off it may take a bit to climb above 12.8, but if it's climbing with the engines on, it's charging.Jun 10, 2011
Will idling boat charge battery?
Charging by runn9ing the engine at idle or a bit above is a very inefficient way to charge the batteries. Again an amp meter will show just how usefull the engine run is and it depends on battery charge state. But even that will probably need more revs than just idle.May 21, 2020
How long should I run my boat to charge the battery?
In most cases, a marine battery will take around 4-6 hours to charge. This will bring your battery from 0% charged to 80% charged. In addition, it depends on the type of charger that you're using. Some chargers are more efficient than others, which means that it's important to pick out a high-quality charger.Nov 16, 2020
Do marine batteries recharge themselves?
Yes, they charge. Most outboards with an electric start will re-charge the battery as they run. Deep cycle batteries can be used for things like pumps.
How long will marine battery last?
How Long Do Boat Batteries Last? Most marine batteries last anywhere from 2 to 5 years depending on the level of care you give them. Most batteries come with a one year warranty, but more expensive batteries might come with up to three years of warranty.
How does a boat battery charge?
1:463:12How to - Charge and maintain a battery - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd this other model here is an onboard charger you mount this in your boat. This can actuallyMoreAnd this other model here is an onboard charger you mount this in your boat. This can actually charge multiple batteries at once. You get home plug.
Is it better to charge a deep cycle battery slow or fast?
Instead, it will show that it is fully charged long before it actually reaches full capacity. By contrast, a slow charge is perfect for charging deep cycle batteries because it prevents heat from building up and ensures that the full capacity of the battery is reached.
How do you calculate battery charging time?
How to calculate charging time yourself?Divide the load power by 1,000 for a value in kilowatts. ... Divide the power of your battery (also in kW) by the figure obtained to get the charging time. ... First calculate your load power (P), by multiplying the voltage (U in volts) by the current (I, in amps).
How do I know when my marine battery is charged?
1:443:13How to Test your Boat Battery Voltage with a Multimeter! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo with your battery fully. Charged. You want to be between 12.6.MoreSo with your battery fully. Charged. You want to be between 12.6.
How often should you charge boat battery?
Any type of lead acid battery should always be left in a fully charged condition. Having done that, you should either charge your battery every 30 days or so, or consider getting a smart battery charger to maintain your battery all the time.Mar 22, 2022
Does revving the engine charge the battery faster?
Yes, it is a fact that revving an engine charges the battery faster and there is simple logic behind this that backs up this fact. Revving the engine means the crankshaft turns faster.
How do you know if your boat battery is bad?
There are various ways to check if you have a faulty battery that needs to be replaced. Some of the ways to tell if your boat battery has some issue are:
How often should you charge a boat battery?
The battery of a boat is a lead-acid battery that needs to be in a fully charged condition when it is left unused. Along with this, the battery should be charged roughly after every 30-days of non use.
Should you disconnect your boat battery?
There is always confusion among boat owners on whether they should remove their boat battery or not when they won’t be using their boat for a while. This question comes with a mixed answer. You should disconnect your battery from the boat if it is stored on land, whereas let it stay in the boat if it is in the water.
Should you leave the battery charger on all the time?
To be on the safer side you should remove the battery charger after the battery is fully charged unless it is a smart charger. Some battery chargers do not have the auto-shutoff function and this can create a major problem.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has been helpful in answering your questions of whether a boat battery charges during idling. The other related questions and answers should have helped give you a deeper insight into how to take proper care of the battery of your boat.
What type of power does an outboard boat use?
All boats that have outboards mainly use DC voltage or battery power. Some are equipped to also have AC outlets on the boat, but most of the pumps, radios, stereos, GPS’s and electronics on the boat use DC. The rectifier regulator also regulates the voltage that is sent to the battery.
Where should the power from the engine go?
The power coming from the engine should go to either battery 1 or 2. Then all of the power coming out of the switch should leave from the common post. Keeping all of the power from going out to the electronics. You can then parallel two of these switches if you have to say 4 batteries.
How many amps does an alternator produce?
Most alternators can produce 90 Amps! Which is a lot. Therefore, as the center console and outboard boats become bigger and bigger, the engines can keep up the power offshore while running all of the screens, stereos, radios, pumps, and everything else that is being packed into a boat.
Do you need a battery charger for a trolling motor?
If you have a trolling motor, then the battery charger is a must! If you don’t have a trolling motor and are only running 1 or 2 things on the boat, then you can probably get away with not having a battery charger.
Do you need a deep cycle battery for an 11' boat?
Also, understand that what type of battery is in the boat matters as well. A 15 HP engine on an 11′ boat doesn’ t need to have a huge battery. There’s no need to have a Group 31 deep cycle battery on the boat. At least not to start the engine and run a couple of lights!
Is a boat battery different from a car battery?
See if there is any voltage flowing there. Yes, the middle of the battery, a boat is a lot different from a car because of the environment that it is in. There is a lot more moisture, water, condensation, dirt, and other stuff that can settle on the battery!
Do you need to know the amps on a boat?
We also need to understand a little bit about power consumption. You don’t need to know all of the Amps, Volts, and Amp-hours that each item on your boat requires. However, you should think about what is being run. Batteries have a certain amount of time that they can produce an “x” amount of power.
How long will a 12v battery run a trolling motor?
This depends on the specific trolling motor in question. Trolling motor capacities differs, as some are larger than the others, therefore consuming more power in the long run.
How to charge a trolling motor battery while on lake
There are two ways through which you can charge a trolling motor battery; by connecting it to the outboard motor circuit, or simply charging the battery externally. You can connect the trolling motor battery with the outboard motor battery through a combiner 100.
Can you overcharge a trolling motor battery?
Yes, you can. However, this depends on the type of charger that you use. Most trickle chargers produce the same amount of voltage and current and do not take into account the needs of the battery.
Can I use jump state to power a trolling motor
Yes, you can. However, due to the nature in which the battery is jump-started or charged, you should not expect it to last as long as when you use a proper charger. Also, know that using a jump state to power a trolling motor would damage it in the long run.
How do I charge a trolling motor battery without shore power?
You can do this by using any of the aforementioned external chargers. These include solar or portable chargers. You only have to be cautious as to what type of charger it is, and whether it possesses good quality. Also, you can simply loop the trolling motor battery with your outboard motor charger.
Conclusion:How to Charge trolling motor batteries while on Lake
Knowing how to charge trolling motor batteries while on lake is a very important knowledge that anyone who intends to fish should have. It is easy and can be simply done with an external portable charger or the more complex technique of looping it with your outboard motors’ charger.
Why is a pontoon boat battery important?
It is responsible for helping the starting motor turn-over the engine to start it. A pontoon boat battery is just as important as a car battery and requires the same type of attention.
How does a pontoon boat charge?
A pontoon boat charges its battery via an alternator, or similar charging system, that is located on the boat. As the motor runs it sends a charge, via the alternator or similar device, to the battery. As pontoon boats are usually docked, or stored, during the winter months, and not used on the water, the battery on the boat may require ...
What is the purpose of an alternator on a pontoon boat?
Once the pontoon boat outboard motor is running it is the alternator that is responsible for sending electrical current to the electrics on the boat. It also sends a charge to the battery to replace the energy that was taken from it to start the motor. The alternator is a type of mini generator.
What is an alternator on a boat?
The alternator is a type of mini generator. As the motor generates power it operates a pulley system which is connected to a rotar shaft and a belt drive system on the alternator. This system creates the electrical charge necessary to run the boat and charge the battery.
How many volts does a 24 volt battery take?
However, you only need a cheap battery tester like this one that works on 6, 12, and 24 volt batteries which you can pick up for less than 50 bucks! 12 volt batteries such be charged to 12.9 volts, while 24 volt batteries can be charged up to 28.3 volts.
How to clean a battery?
Start by cleaning any obvious dirt or grime that has accumulated on the battery casing. Then turn your attention to the terminal connectors and posts on the battery. Make sure the battery terminals/posts are corrosion-free as corrosive build-up will interfere with the electrical currents going to and from your battery.
Why use a smart charger?
If your battery needs charged then, for best performance, use a high quality smart charger to help dissolve sulfates that inhibit charging, as this will allow the battery to receive a full charge and better retain that full capacity.
