Charging battery - Tight location

[06Red2400SR3]

I’’be purchased a 2400 Sr3 and the batteries are in a tight location behind a doorway on the port side next to the engine. The prior owner replaced the batteries this season but barely used the boat so I would like to top them off with my charger. Is there a terminal to access elsewhere that would be easier to get to? Looks like a pain to try and connect the charger in that tight little battery cubby. There is a battery 1/2 switch in the engine compartment Thanks!

[mmwjr]

Assuming you don’t have a built in charger, it would be best to charge directly to the battery but you could connect to the battery switch terminal 1 then 2 but the switch must be in the off position. Seems like neither are easy.

[shrew]

I agree. Plug the boat in and use the on-board charger.

[06Red2400SR3]

I don’t think I have an onboard charger. It’s a bow rider so I wouldn’t expect a shore power connection.

[shrew]

I'd install a 2 bank battery charger, then you can simply plug in the battery charger directly.

Install the charging leads to the lugs on the battery switch. The charger will be able to charge each battery regardless of which battery the switch is active or even if the switch is off.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by shrew

I'd install a 2 bank battery charger, then you can simply plug in the battery charger directly.

Install the charging leads to the lugs on the battery switch. The charger will be able to charge each battery regardless of which battery the switch is active or even if the switch is off.

I agree with shrews recommendation.

[donald]

+2 on installing a charger as shrew said.
Don

[06Red2400SR3]

Great idea, thanks everyone. I'll pick up and install an onboard charger and plug it in periodically. In researching the charger I learned the reasons why using an old car charger (which I typically do) is a bad idea so I'll shop for a nice marine 2 bank.

[shrew]

Incidentally, are these flooded batteries or AGM? How is the access for checking and filling fluid if they are flooded batteries?

[06Red2400SR3]

I haven't really gotten a good look at them yet so I can't tell. I'll check this weekend when I bring the boat home to my dock. It's currently 5 miles away from me at the prior owner's marina. I just bought the boat this week. The battery access is poor for a boat this size in my opinion. There is a door under the rear seat on the port side of the engine that gives you access and you get a view of the rearmost battery from the engine compartment. The battery switch is on the wall between the battery and engine compartments and is accessible. I assume it came new with 2 batteries but cant say for sure. The prior owner installed two new batteries at the beginning of the season but they are covered and tucked away so I can't see what they are. He said his mechanic was small and wirery and got his arms into that compartment easily. I could see it being a royal PIA for a large guy like me.

[06Red2400SR3]

The battery switch charger install is a great idea. That is way more accessible than my batteries, so simply running an extension cord to my boat for a charge overnight would be a simple task and give peace of mind if the boat takes on water and needs to pump. I've had that happen on my last boat with a hole in the exhaust

[shrew]

If they're flooded batteries, you might want to replace them with AGM. Otherwise, you're going to need to periodically fill the batteries with distilled water.

[06Red2400SR3]

Once I get the boat to my house this weekend I'll have the opportunity to get a good look at everything. Planning on cruising it here tomorrow. It's about 5 miles away