[THS Tim]

I have a Minn kota 3 bank charger {purchased for my trolling motor batteries} that is fantastic and easily is 10 times the charger compared to any Schumacker .
My question is which would be the best investment?

PowerMax PM3-20-24 or IOTA DLS-27-15 Power Supply or Minn Kota MK 220 PC 2 Bank or even Minn Kota On Board Battery Charger MK-210D

This would be for my LED light batteries. I am not planning on running a generator but will not rule out running a generator in the future. Last Year I used the 3 bank Minn Kota to charge my other batteries but it was sort of a pain in the butt to connect and reconnect all the batteries.

The 2 sets of batteries for my LED lights. The first set is{2014} Nautilus group 27 Deep Cycle marine and my second set {2015} Duracell group 31 AGM marine deep cycle batteries.

Any other view or experience would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. I dont mind spending money on things that work well.

 

[rcdinaz]

If you have a genny then the converter for sure, both brands are great.

If you are plugging it into a wall then another battery charger, more amps means shorter charging time.

 

[THS Tim]

One more pass for experiences if any??

 

[Robs24VCTD]

I have a convertr and charger, run two batteries for my lights and if I want to stay out later or all night I Fire up the genny, when I get home I plug in my charger and leave it.

 

[SKEETER]

Go converter! If anything versatility to run on the genny while charging. And the pm will put a quik charge on it where the minn Kota won't.

 

[THS Tim]

I have a convertr and charger, run two batteries for my lights and if I want to stay out later or all night I Fire up the genny, when I get home I plug in my charger and leave it.

I can see how that is a best choice. Each on has its strong feature but neither do both perfectly. What OnBoard charger are you using? How long have you had it?

 

[THS Tim]

Go converter! If anything versatility to run on the genny while charging. And the pm will put a quik charge on it where the minn Kota won't.

Which converter are you using and do you use a inverter generator?

 

[SKEETER]

we run two pm3's for the trolling motor on a 2000 watt inverter but the 24 would be perfect for just charging. The 24 really isnt enough converter to run the troller, a high thrust troller anyway.

Which converter are you using and do you use a inverter generator?

 

[Robs24VCTD]

I can see how that is a best choice. Each on has its strong feature but neither do both perfectly. What OnBoard charger are you using? How long have you had it?

It's a minn kota 330, it's a couple years old and it was used when I got it.

 

[kopter doktor]

It's a minn kota 330, it's a couple years old and it was used when I got it.

go with the iota dls 27-40....i have had mine going 11 years.......it will keep a charge in your batteries when you are shooting fish.when you get home from shooting all night.just plug it in the wall you have the best of both worlds.

 

[jb-hunter]

One more pass for experiences if any??

I removed and sold my 330 and installed 3 PM3 55-12's, my PM3's charge my batteries way faster than the 330 ever hoped to. Now I have best of all worlds, converter for when on Generator and a battery charger for when I get home.

Lost weight and real estate of 330, and I think the 3 PMs's might even weigh less.

Edit - Call Garret Bollom, he will get you deal and advice is free.

 

[rcdinaz]

If you have a genny then the converter for sure, both brands are great.

If you are plugging it into a wall then another battery charger, more amps means shorter charging time.

The answer I shared was based on running all of what you asked about as well. Bass Pro XPS 2 bank charger, Powermax PM3-55, LED's and HPS. I run 2 Interstate marine batteries for the 24V system (LEDs & Troller) hooked to the Powermax and the XPS, 1 Duracell AGM for the rear LED's, a starter battery, and 2 very small 12V wheel chair batteries for the LED interior lights & forward Humminbird DI fish finder. I mainly use the genny for the HPS or to keep the troller at full charge all day/night. We use a 2000W Champion inverter.

 

[THS Tim]

Look like I am going to buy another quality on board charger next.

 

[WBG444]

I told myself I was going to stay out of this...but there is no reason for a battery charger after I discovered converters..... you can leave them plugged in 24/7... 365 and they trickle charge, fast charged, whatever you want...period...they are perfect. But led lights are better then hps and halogen..........so........

 

[Robs24VCTD]

I told myself I was going to stay out of this...but there is no reason for a battery charger after I discovered converters..... you can leave them plugged in 24/7... 365 and they trickle charge, fast charged, whatever you want...period...they are perfect. But led lights are better then hps and halogen..........so........

Haha, the only reason I have both is because I take my converter out with the genny cause we fish more day than night. Hence the on board charger stays cause the three batteries run everything else in the boat, stereo, wash down, etc.

 

[SwampyBottoms]

I agree with Brady.

 

[THS Tim]

So a Converter is the wise money?

 

[crash262]

how much better is it to run lets say a 6 amp charger (if you have the time) vs the pm3 with higher rate charge? i hear the slower the charge the longer the batteries last, and if that is so how many charge cycles are we talking about?

 

[SwampyBottoms]

Think of this how many times does camper batteries need to be changed. Hardly never. They use convertors

 

[Riverman]

Don't want to get into too much so I'll just tell you what I did. I got a powermax 50A for my lights and another for my troller (50lb.)... I get about 4 hours or so before my batteries get weak. Then I just start up my cheap champion genny, plug the converters into it through a spliced extension cord and it keeps my batteries full. It charges them faster than they drain. When I'm done fishing at the end of the night my batteries are full. Can't beat it. I've never timed it or kept track but I'm sure I could bowfish for maybe 20 hours before I'd need to put some gas in the genny. Converters are the way to go imo