Choosing a Marine Battery Charger

By Jared Skye

Choosing a marine battery charger is not as simple as just walking into a store and grabbing something off the shelf. There are quite a few different considerations that you need to bear in mind both before and during your shopping trip that will serve you well. If you are able to keep these considerations in mind, then you will be much more likely to walk away with a charger that will offer you years of use.

Conditions of Use

Before you ever set foot in a store or start looking online, you should have a firm understanding of what the overall conditions of use are for your battery setup. This can relate to anything from where you will be using the charger to how many batteries you have or how often you will be charging. Without understanding the complete range of conditions you will be using your charger in, you simply cannot make an educated decision on what to buy.

Number of Batteries

The number of batteries will determine the charging configuration you will need to use. Marine battery chargers generally come in banks of one through four, corresponding with the amount of batteries you have on board.

Number of Engines

You will need a greater number of cranking outputs for each engine in use on your boat. For example, a boat with two engines will use a battery charger that has two cranking battery outputs.

Level of Use

The time between uses will have a major impact on the type of battery charger you use. A boat that is used for commercial operations like tours or fishing charters can potentially require faster charging times than boats used for recreation. Commercial users will likely have to use a charger that runs at 10 amps or more while recreational users can get away with using a lower amp charger.

Deciding Between an On-board and Off-Board Battery Charger

Deciding whether you need an on-board or off-board unit is an important consideration when you are searching for a charger.This decision should be made based on both the type of activities you use your boat for and the amount of money you're willing to spend.

Off-Board or "Portable" Chargers

These chargers will generally be the least expensive option and will require little to no specialized installation. They can be stored in a garage or shed and brought out only when they need to be used. The primary drawbacks of off-board chargers are that (1) they are less convenient than on-board chargers and (2) they usually need to be personally monitored throughout the charging process to avoid overcharging.

Some of the most popular portable chargers are:

West Marine portable chargers: These chargers are of a very simple, standard design that is easy for both novices and experienced boaters to use.
Schumacher battery chargers: Schumacher is a popular company in this field and their off-board SE-70MA charger is one of only a few in its price range that automatically monitors your charge.
Guest battery chargers: The Guest line of chargers covers a wide range of charging needs and is known for quality chargers like the 2606A charger.

On-Board Chargers

On-board chargers are generally more expensive than the "portable" chargers and require a little more expertise to install and use. They are constructed with a waterproof housing so they can be taken anywhere your boat goes. They are also partially installed as integral components of your battery system. To use these chargers, all you have to do is plug them into a wall outlet and leave them. They generally self-regulate their input and will automatically stop charging once your batteries are full. This will help you avoid overcharging.

Some very popular on-board chargers are:

Promariner dhargers: These chargers are far and away the most widely used on-board chargers. They can be found at most major online retailers and at popular stores like Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops.
Bass Pro Shops: Aside from being an internationally trusted retailer in the products of other manufacturers, Bass Pro Shops also has its own line of products that include popular battery chargers. The Bass Pro Shops XPS line of chargers is especially popular.

Where to Buy

There are quite a few different places to buy marine battery chargers from both physical retail locations and online retailers.

Find a Local Store

Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops are two of the most popular national chains selling these chargers. They have staff on hand that will be able to walk you through the process of choosing a marine battery charger best suited to your unique situation.

If you want to find larger retailers in your area that deal with marine battery chargers, you can check out these store locators for Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, and Gander Mountain.

Online Retailers

You can also check out online retailers like Amazon.com or Defender.com. You can sometimes find better pricing on marine battery chargers when you buy from online retailers, but you won't have the luxury of instantaneous customer service as you would with a physical store.

Take Your Time and Choose Wisely

Just like any other recreational investment, a marine battery charger is not the type of purchase that you take lightly. It is an expensive component that can have a major impact on the life of your batteries, so you should maintain an objective and even-handed approach while looking over chargers. In the end, choosing a marine battery charger is very dependent upon the basic mechanics of your boat setup. However, that doesn't mean you have to hand your decision over to happenstance. By taking some time to get acquainted with your battery and motor setup, you will be able to quickly make your decision.