There is nothing more frustrating than having battery issues when you are out on the lake. Instead of catching fish you are busy messing around with your batteries and trying to get power to your trolling motor.
For that reason, having an on-board battery charger is not only an easy way to charge up your boat after a long day on the water, but it’s also the best way to keep your batteries properly maintained and ensure they last a long time. Keeping you fishing more and worry about batteries less.
So what is the best trolling motor battery charger? The overall best battery charger for your trolling motor is the Minn Kota Precision On-Board Charger. This charger is the fastest charger around and will keep your batteries properly maintained and safe with the latest technology and features.
However, this charger may not be the best fit for every boater. In this article you will learn how to go about selecting an on-board charger and how to choose the best trolling motor battery charger that will fit your needs.
Let’s get started!
How to Choose the Right Trolling Motor Charger (4 Easy Steps)
Selecting the right charger to charge your trolling motor batteries is pretty straight forward, but there are a few things you need to be aware of before you buy one. The last thing you want to do is spend money on something that doesn’t work for you.
To help ensure you pick out the right trolling motor charger, I have created a simple 4 step process that will help you select the charger that best fits your needs.
Here are 4 easy steps to help you determine what the best trolling motor charger is for you:
Step 1: Determine How Many Banks You Need
The first step is pretty simple. How many banks you need depends on how many batteries you plan on charging at the same time.
You’ll want to have one bank for each battery you are going to charge. On most bass boats anglers will use either two or three deep-cycle batteries. So in that case you will need a charger with two or three banks.
However, if you have a trolling motor on a kayak you may only need one battery and therefore you’ll want a charger with only one bank.
After you have determined how many banks you’ll need it’s now time to figure out what kind of power you’ll want.
Step 2: How Fast Do You Need Your Batteries Charged
The next step is to determine how fast you want or need your trolling motor batteries charged. Each charger will have different levels of power in their charging banks.
The power will determine how fast your batteries charge which is also known as the “recovery time”. The more power the faster recovery time and the quicker charge you’ll get.
If you need a quick charger on a consistent basis I would recommend going with a charger that has more power. On the other hand, if you charge your batteries overnight like I do than a lower power well get the job done.
Step 3: Determine What Type of Charger You Need
There are two main types of batteries chargers used to charge trolling motor batteries: onboard and portable chargers.
In most cases boaters will go with the onboard battery charger and plug it in every time they need to charge their trolling motor batteries. This works exceptionally well and is really convenient.
However, if you need a more versatile charger, one that you can move around easily than the portable charger might be the best fit for you.
Both the onboard and portable trolling motor battery chargers are great options, it all just comes down to your personal preference and specific needs.
Step 4: Choose The Best Trolling Motor Battery Charger for You
Now that you have determined how many banks you’ll need, the kind of power necessary and the type of charger you want it’s now time to pick out your new trolling motor battery charger.
To help make this process easier for you, I did a ton of research and have compiled a list of the best onboard trolling motor battery chargers out on the market.
All of these marine battery chargers are reliable, durable, long lasting and an overall great product. Make sure to pay close attention to how many banks, what kind of power and the type of batteries you are charging, so that you can pick out a trolling motor charger that best fits your needs.
Now let’s talk about the specific chargers.
The Best Onboard Trolling Motor Battery Chargers
Genius On-Board Battery Charger
I have a Genius On-Board Battery Charger on my bass boat and I’ve been very impressed with this charger. It’s waterproof, reliable and an overall great product.
I run two 12-volt trolling motor batteries on the two bank Genius charger. I’ve never ran into any issues in the 5 years I’ve had it and it has done an excellent job at making sure my batteries are always properly charged.
One of the other great things about this charger is that it’s completely automatic. So when the batteries are done charging it continuously monitors and shuts off the power to the battery while still detecting any potential problems.
This charger is a must have for any boat where you need to be constantly charging and maintaining batteries. To learn more about this charger, select the button below.
ProMariner Battery Charger
Another great onboard battery charger is the ProMariner Battery Charger. This smart charger comes with all of the technology and safety features you would want in a charger.
It’s safe, reliable, and is a fantastic option for both short-term and long-term battery charging and storage.
One of the great features about this charger is that its designed to be plugged in all the time and it’s smart enough to only charge your batteries when needed.
The trickle and pulse charge technology will not only ensure your batteries are always fully charged, but will also extend the life of your batteries and provide you with extended time out on the water.
The ProMariner Batter Charger is one of the best onboard chargers out on the market and would be great addition to any boat.
Minn Kota On-Board Digital Charger
The Minn Kota On-Board Digital Charger is built with power, innovation and reliability. It is digitally controlled with smart, fast charging technology and will keep your batteries properly maintained every time you hook it up.
This on-board charger is digitally designed to ensure your batteries have just the right amount of power every time you plug in, keeping your batteries performing better and lasting longer.
It’s LED status display makes it easy to quickly check on the charging process and is fully corrosion-resistant making it perfect for both fresh and saltwater.
The Digital Charger by Minn Kota is a charger you can trust and would be a great option to add to any fishing boat. For more information about this charger click the button below.
Minn Kota Precision On-Board Charger
The Minn Kota Precision On-Board Charger is the most advanced marine battery charger available and is a premium option for any boat.
One of the things that really sets this charger apart from the others is its battery type selection feature. It can be selected to charge a specific battery type (AGM, gel or flooded lead acid) to guarantee a safe, protected charge.
It also features automatic temperature compensation that senses and adjusts to temperature changes, battery equalization which clean and protects your batteries every time you plug it in as well as other standard features such as LED indicator lights, automatic multistage charging, and a water proof construction.
If you are looking for the most trusted and advance marine battery charger than I would highly recommend checking out the Minn Kota Precision Charger. This charger is the real deal.
Bass Boat Battery Question (FAQ)
How do you charge a bass boat battery? The best way to charge your bass boat battery is with a marine battery charger. As we have discussed in this article they make both onboard chargers which are designed to be installed on your boat and portable chargers which are lighter and easier to pack around.
How often should I charge my boat battery? Boat batteries should always be charged. It’s best practice to charge your trolling motor batteries after every trip, or every week if you haven’t used it. Keeping them charged consistently will help them last longer and perform better.
Can you overcharge a marine battery? Both overcharging and undercharging your marine batteries isn’t good. To help prevent overcharging most battering chargers these days come with technology that ensures your batteries are properly charged.
How long do marine batteries last? Much like any other battery there are a lot factors that can determine how long a marine battery will last. On average most marine batteries will last about anywhere from 2 to 5 years depending how well you take care of them.
Final Thoughts
Having your trolling motor batteries properly charged is something that every angler needs to do to ensure for a long and trouble free day of fishing out on the water.
Having the right trolling motor battery charger will not only make it easy for you to get your batteries charged after each trip but will also ensure your batteries last longer and perform better.
I hope you have found this trolling motor charger buyers guide to be both insightful and helpful.
Best of luck out there and stay safe.
