Installing a 3 bank charger...looking for suggestions

[SoCalAngler]

Good Morning Billie!

Congrats on your new FB! You're going to love it! Is is a FB21? what size motor? Location?

Yes, I ran all three 10/2 marine duplex leads under deck, from charger to each battery. In the area I mounted the charger (potty room) you can see where the fuel tank vent hose makes it way through the deck. Rather than drill a new hole into deck, I routed wires through same hole. Worked out great. Check to see if you have vent hose in same location. If you need any advice or pics, just let me know. I learned a bunch from Todd and others, as you read from their posts in this thread.

I will post an update on my project in the next couple of days.

Thanks

[BillieS]

Good Morning Billie!

Congrats on your new FB! You're going to love it! Is is a FB21? what size motor? Location?

Yes, I ran all three 10/2 marine duplex leads under deck, from charger to each battery. In the area I mounted the charger (potty room) you can see where the fuel tank vent hose makes it way through the deck. Rather than drill a new hole into deck, I routed wires through same hole. Worked out great. Check to see if you have vent hose in same location. If you need any advice or pics, just let me know. I learned a bunch from Todd and others, as you read from their posts in this thread.

I will post an update on my project in the next couple of days.

Thanks

It is a 2008 Suntracker FB Signature series 21 W/ a 60HP bigfoot. I will be setting it in the Potomac River at Falling Waters WV. Above Dam #4. I will look at the hole and see what I have. I took the panel off yesterday, but did not take notice if there was a fuel vent hole there. I will be looking for that. It seems that there is no room anyplace else to put something like this. Thanks for the input.

[SoCalAngler]

I'm from the left coast so not familiar with your area back east. Love all the pics I see of all the Spring time beauty (trees, locations, history), but I donlt think I could deal with all the cold.

Once you remove the panel that the potty sits on, look for the hole down at the rear port side.

I thought long about where to mount and this was the best place that met my criteria (easy access, out of the way, and able to run leads shortest distance (bow batts and starting battery, are at opposite ends). So far, it appears to me to the be the best location on this model/year of boat.

Update on my charger install:

The MK-315D charger was bad right out of the box . After 24 hours, #2 lead had a red and green flashing light, which indicates a problem with battery. I didn't think the batts were bad as they are only two years old. So, I switched batt leads #1 and #2 to be sure it was a battery problem and to rule out charger. After 24 hours, the same red and green flashing light appeared on lead #2. Returned to BPS for a new one, installed yesterday, and today (24+ hours later), all three leads indicate solid green, which indicate fully charged batts

[BillieS]

I can relate to the cold. The older I get the more I hate it. I have been looking a the promariner 20 3 bank charger. It is a toss up between what you have and this one. I am also contemplating on placing it under the center console, easier wiring. I have not looked at my changing room yet. It has been raining here since we brought the boat home. I cannot wait to get it on the water. The Marine batteries were never used, they are brand new. It took two days to charge them up. They were really dead. I have to do a load test on them yet, make sure they are ok. I will also check the gravity before I do that. The motor battery charged right up with a few hours on a trickle charger/battery tender.

[SoCalAngler]

I chose the Minn Kota 315-D based on the following reasons:

1. Very good reports about quality and dependability
2. $40 rebate (currently rebate is $20)
3. 3 year warranty

I considered the console, but the area underneath is just too small to work in.

I am going to add hinges to my potty board (for lack of a better description) so I can flip up and easily access the charger

New charger is working great!! Install is complete.

Next project.........Fish finder.......looking at the Lowrance HDS-10 Gen 2 (10" screen). The price of $2300 has me very tentative!! It is a VERY nice FF/Chartplotter! I like the larger screen, especially on a 'toon, as you are not always near the screen (if mounted at console) as you would be in a smaller mono hull fishing boat.

[Todd4]

Congrats on your charger install! I'm glad it worked out for you (in the end). Good luck with your FF project.

Todd