DIY Network

Marine Battery Chargers: Types of Chargers From "Shipshape Boating" episode DSSB-211

There are several types of battery chargers on the market made specifically for boaters; host John Greviskis reveals the most common models.

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Figure A

• Trickle Charger: may come with a timer that will shut off the charger at a specific time. This feature will keep the charger from overcharging the battery, which will ruin it.

• Single Leg Charger: only charges one battery at a time.

• Dual Leg Charger: will charge two batteries at once.

• Triple Leg Charger: charges up to three batteries at a time.

• Smart Charger: a feature on some battery charges that senses when a battery is low. It will then start charging the battery in three phases (figure A). Phase one will charge up to 75 percent of the battery. Phase two and three are a slower charge and will top off the battery completely.

  Note: only use an ungrounded charger when the boat is out of the water. Some chargers do offer an internally grounded feature for charging the battery while the boat is still in the water.