Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

The local oriellies has these on sale and I'd like to have something I can use that doesn't require the battery Hookups to be removed each time on my sun catchers under console deep cycle battery.

Details are sketchy on the package, I know the output is low but it will be a plug in and forget it affair to supplement my digital Schumacher.

What say ye?

I'm not sure of your intentions ("something I can use that doesn't require the battery Hookups to be removed each time..................................to supplement my digital Schumacher").

If you are going to FULLY charge your trolling motor battery FIRST with your Schumacher, and then use the battery tender to keep it 'topped off' between trips, or the off season - you'll be OK. However, that doesn't sound like what you want to do.

The Battery Tender alone will not charge your trolling motor battery fast enough between deep discharges (as would be expected for a trolling motor). Deep cycle batteries need to be FULLY recharged quickly after every use. So, that means crawling under your console to hook up your Schumacher first, and then switching over to your Battery Tender, long term.

This doesn't sound like it'll do what you want. Can you extend your battery charge leads for your Schumacher, like you plan to do to use the Battery Tender? Maybe a DC power outlet (what used to be called a "cigarrette lighter" socket). Come to think of it, your Battery Tender Jr. battery pigtale extension should work for your schumacher also (with the correct adapter cable, of course).

Or I completely misunderstood your question.

Todd

I have a dual bank Battery Tender for my motorcycles. It is rated at 1.25 amps. The Jr is rated at .75 amps. Mine does a great job maintaining batteries once they are charged. But it will take forever to charge them. If you are simply looking for a maintenance tender after you charge it fully, you cannot beat a Battery Tender. Go for it. I love them.

I want something semi hardwired in ie a pigtail poking out under the railing that will not overcharge. My Schumacher is a little wonky and I don't absolutely trust it unattended.

It doesn't sound like the jr is what I want unless it would charge my battery over the course of a week.

A little background. My pontoon sits about 8" tall and resides under a metal carport barely higher than that under a cover to boot. Hence getting to the battery being a bit of a chore.

I keep a Battery Tender (not jr.) connected to our boat while it stis on the lift. For what you want to do I guess it depends on how often you're going to be trolling and how long in between trips.