Charger - DC Alternator vs. On Board plug in

corndude · 07-21-2009, 06:52 AM

Seems like DC alternator types are pretty slick but trickier to install. Any advice? Also, can a person have both???

xtreme76 · 07-21-2009, 11:55 AM

MURF · 07-21-2009, 02:12 PM

To add to the question, does something like this
Cabela's -- Minn Kota On-Board DC Alternator Charger do the same thing? Anyone with experience with either?

As to both on the same boat, I don't think there should be a problem. I don't think I would have the on-board plugged in and then run the engine. Other wise when unplugged the on-board is effectively out of the circuit and when the motor is turned off it is out of the circuit.

xtreme76 · 07-21-2009, 08:11 PM

Most if not all alternator chargers are simply a fancy switch and wiring. For a 12 volt system they are essentially wiring your starter battery in parallel with your trolling battery while the motor is running. When you turn of the ignition it disconnects the circuit. If you know or thing or two about electronics you make a 12 volt system yourself. You can also hook a regular battery charger to your starter battery and turn the ignition on and charge both batteries (so I have heard and it does make sense). They are a little more complicated switches with 24/36 volt systems. I think most of these would be compatible with a onboard if everything was wired correctly.
-
The stay in charge all charge really shines with 24/36 volt trolling systems and when you tow long distances to and from the lake. It can charge off the tow vehicle alternator, the boat alternator, or you can hook a single bank charger directly to it in your garage and it will charge all your batteries from that one charger. So yes you could use it in conjuction with a single bank onboard charger, just hook the onboard charger to the stay in charge and when you plug it in it will alternate between batteries charging them all.
-
I have a stay n charge and love it, it is really a very simple device but very effective. It is a 12 volt charging system but it charges each battery seperately via an internal "switch". I fished 3 days in Wyoming this year and used my 36 volt bow mount 90% of the time, I never plugged in a charger and my batteries were charged when I got home.

maverick101 · 07-23-2009, 02:14 PM

I just picked up the stayNCharge at schelds. Marked down from 199.99 to 49.99.

FYI they have the original stayNCharge marked down to 19.99.

stox4u · 07-23-2009, 04:59 PM

They don'y have em in Lincoln..never even heard of em..Where is sheel's in Omaha?

stox4u · 07-23-2009, 05:00 PM

Did you mean sheel's?

acar555 · 07-23-2009, 05:40 PM

Did you mean Scheel's?

maverick101 · 07-23-2009, 05:46 PM

Scheels in omaha at village point.

stox4u · 07-23-2009, 07:41 PM

DAMN! They are out! Helluva buy ...Guy in Omaha said they'd had them drom 05.. thanx anyway

07-21-2009, 06:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
corndude corndude has no status. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lincoln Posts: 28 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Charger - DC Alternator vs. On Board plug in Seems like DC alternator types are pretty slick but trickier to install. Any advice? Also, can a person have both???

07-21-2009, 11:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
xtreme76 xtreme76 is waiting for april Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central Ne Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Posts: 163 Thanks: 81 Thanked 46 Times in 36 Posts	StayNCharge by Retrotec - Products

07-21-2009, 02:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
MURF MURF is Lock and Load Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Papillion Posts: 290 Thanks: 5 Thanked 38 Times in 28 Posts	To add to the question, does something like this Cabela's -- Minn Kota On-Board DC Alternator Charger do the same thing? Anyone with experience with either? As to both on the same boat, I don't think there should be a problem. I don't think I would have the on-board plugged in and then run the engine. Other wise when unplugged the on-board is effectively out of the circuit and when the motor is turned off it is out of the circuit. __________________ Four blessings upon you... Older whiskey Younger women Faster horses More money

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07-21-2009, 08:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
xtreme76 xtreme76 is waiting for april Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central Ne Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Posts: 163 Thanks: 81 Thanked 46 Times in 36 Posts	Most if not all alternator chargers are simply a fancy switch and wiring. For a 12 volt system they are essentially wiring your starter battery in parallel with your trolling battery while the motor is running. When you turn of the ignition it disconnects the circuit. If you know or thing or two about electronics you make a 12 volt system yourself. You can also hook a regular battery charger to your starter battery and turn the ignition on and charge both batteries (so I have heard and it does make sense). They are a little more complicated switches with 24/36 volt systems. I think most of these would be compatible with a onboard if everything was wired correctly. - The stay in charge all charge really shines with 24/36 volt trolling systems and when you tow long distances to and from the lake. It can charge off the tow vehicle alternator, the boat alternator, or you can hook a single bank charger directly to it in your garage and it will charge all your batteries from that one charger. So yes you could use it in conjuction with a single bank onboard charger, just hook the onboard charger to the stay in charge and when you plug it in it will alternate between batteries charging them all. - I have a stay n charge and love it, it is really a very simple device but very effective. It is a 12 volt charging system but it charges each battery seperately via an internal "switch". I fished 3 days in Wyoming this year and used my 36 volt bow mount 90% of the time, I never plugged in a charger and my batteries were charged when I got home.

07-23-2009, 02:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
maverick101 maverick101 has no status. Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: omaha Posts: 461 Thanks: 1 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	I just picked up the stayNCharge at schelds. Marked down from 199.99 to 49.99. FYI they have the original stayNCharge marked down to 19.99.

07-23-2009, 04:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
stox4u stox4u has no status. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lincoln Posts: 335 Thanks: 39 Thanked 52 Times in 32 Posts	They don'y have em in Lincoln..never even heard of em..Where is sheel's in Omaha?

07-23-2009, 05:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
stox4u stox4u has no status. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lincoln Posts: 335 Thanks: 39 Thanked 52 Times in 32 Posts	Did you mean sheel's?

07-23-2009, 05:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
acar555 acar555 has no status. Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Omaha Posts: 105 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 10 Posts	Did you mean Scheel's?

07-23-2009, 05:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
maverick101 maverick101 has no status. Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: omaha Posts: 461 Thanks: 1 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	Scheels in omaha at village point.

07-23-2009, 07:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
stox4u stox4u has no status. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lincoln Posts: 335 Thanks: 39 Thanked 52 Times in 32 Posts	DAMN! They are out! Helluva buy ...Guy in Omaha said they'd had them drom 05.. thanx anyway