What is the best battery charger to buy?

[sunsetview45]

I have a 91 XP with a spanking new battery and I want to keep it totally charged. I keep hereing folks talk about chargers so I wanted to get one...what kind? and where do I find it?
Thanks all

 

[JPX]

Best thing ever - Battery Tender.

Remove or at least disconnect the battery from the boat. The Battery Tender is not to be confused with a regular charger. Regular chargers are meant for pretty heavy charging and must be disconnected to prevent battery damage.

The Battery Tender changing charging voltage from "hard charge" to "maintenance charge" and can be left almost indefinitely on the battery.

The original SeaDoo battery for my 1996 HX last 7 years because of the Battery Tender. In fact, my battery ultimately died because the Battery Tender finally conked out and I had not realized the battery was dead all winter.

 

[sunsetview45]

Wow, 7 years! That is awesome. I am for sure getting one. My husband about had a heart attack when he had to pay 74.00 for that little battery.
Thanks

 

[JPX]

Most well maintained batteries last 3-5 years. Most folks who don't use some type of correcting charging technique or let them freeze in the boat during the winter will throw away a battery every season. 7 years is a bit on the "gifted and talented" side of the spectrum, but the point really is that the Battery Tender is very effective.

Keep in mind that the Battery Tender is not meant for rapid charging like jump starting. But regular use will ensure several seasons of riding with the same battery.

Rapid (fast) chargers have their time and place, but the heat build up and bubbling during charging needs to be monitored carefully and used for short periods of time.

In the off season or if you are not using the boat for several weeks, remove the battery are store/charge out of the boat. This prevent dangerous gas build up in the hull and usually protects both battery and charger from extreme temperatures.