Cranking Battery Charger 101: The Complete Guide

Are you interested in charging cranking batteries? Since these batteries are different from some of the other batteries that someone might use on a boat, it’s important to learn about them so they can be charged correctly.

No matter what your questions are about charging a cranking battery, we will answer them in this article.

Here’s everything you need to know about charging a cranking battery.

What is a Cranking Battery?

A cranking battery is one of two types of marine batteries that you can buy for a boat. Another name for a cranking battery is a “starting battery”. It is designed to start your boat.

These batteries are made to give one large expenditure of energy. This is exactly what it takes to get your boat’s engine going.

A cranking battery can also run things like your sonar or GPS. However, these devices require a steady, small amount of energy over a relatively long period. This is the opposite of what a cranking battery was designed to do.

If you regularly use a cranking battery to run devices like these, your battery life will be significantly shorter. However, some anglers prefer to use a cranking battery for these purposes because then they do not have to carry two batteries on their boat.

What Drains a Cranking Battery?

The cranking battery expends a significant amount of energy in a very short amount of time when it starts your boat.

If you have your cranking battery connected to other devices, like a GPS or your fish finder, these will also drain the battery.

While the cranking battery can power anything that you need it to power, asking it for small amounts of energy over a long period will shorten the battery’s life.

Will My Motor Recharge a Cranking Battery?

Most motors will recharge cranking batteries. As long as the motor has been built in the last 20 years, it should have either an alternator or a starter.

Both of these will work to slowly recharge your cranking battery after it starts the engine.

This includes the majority of outboard motors. As long as they were built within the last 20 years, they will most likely automatically recharge your cranking battery as your boat is running.

Depending on the power of your motor, it may take several hours to recharge your cranking battery. This time will be extended even more if the battery is also powering other things, like the fish finder or GPS.

If you only take a short fishing trip, your cranking battery may not get fully recharged before you get back to shore. You may need to have a separate charger if you do this regularly.

Similarly, if you regularly turn off your motor while you are fishing and then restart it, your cranking battery may not be able to get a full charge before you need it again. While it should be able to start the engine for you, you will want to do whatever it takes to get it fully charged.

If you have an outboard motor that is not set up to charge your cranking battery, you can convert it so that it will do the job. All you need is to install a regulator/rectifier and a lightning cable.

Be sure you buy parts that are compatible with your brand of outboard motor, then follow the instructions below. It won’t be long before the outboard motor will charge your cranking battery every time it runs.

Can You Recharge a Cranking Battery?

You can recharge a cranking battery. You may want to hook your cranking battery up to a charger after every use. If batteries are left in a discharged or semi-discharged state, they can suffer damage.

You have a few choices when it comes to how you want to charge your cranking battery.

First, you need to decide if you want an onboard cranking battery charger or a portable one.

Onboard Cranking Battery Chargers

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Onboard chargers are wired into the boat itself. This means that you can charge your battery in the same place you use it, which is efficient and practical.

However, installing an onboard charger in a small boat can be overkill. These chargers can also take up valuable space that you need for gear storage and more.

Some onboard chargers can charge the battery while the boat is running, in addition to charging it when the boat is turned off. Others can charge more than one battery – or kind of battery – at once.

Portable Cranking Battery Chargers

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Your other option is a portable charger. These must be plugged in, then attached to your battery. They can be useful if you have several batteries that you like to change out or rotate or if you prefer to store your batteries separately from your boat.

Portable chargers tend to be smaller than onboard chargers. Some of them come with the option to charge different kinds of batteries.

Solar Cranking Battery Chargers

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You may choose a solar-powered cranking battery charger. These come in both onboard and portable versions.

Solar power can be a slow way to charge your boat’s battery unless you have access to a large array of panels. However, it is a great way to save money and use resources wisely.

Can You Use a Trickle Charger with Your Cranking Battery?

A trickle charger is a battery charger that is designed to be left on the battery for a long time. It adds charge to the battery slowly and prevents the slow drain on the battery charge that often takes place.

You can use a trickle charger on your cranking battery. These chargers are particularly useful when you are storing your boat during the off-season or not using it for a while.

If you don’t want to return to a dead battery the next time you want to use your boat, try a trickle charger. Make sure that your charger is designed to stop charging when the battery achieves a full charge.

Otherwise, you could end up with an overcharged battery. This can cause the acid inside the battery to boil and the casing to crack. If this happens, you will need to purchase a brand new battery.

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Do I Need to Disconnect My Cranking Battery to Charge It?

Different anglers have different answers to this question.

Most of the time, you will not need to disconnect your battery to charge it. Find out more here.

What is the Best Way to Recharge a Cranking Battery?

The best way to recharge a cranking battery is the one that works for you.

If your motor seems to successfully recharge your cranking battery, you may not need another charging solution at all.

If your motor is not successfully recharging your cranking battery or you want to take especially good care of your battery, recharge it after each use using an onboard charger or a portable one.

If you go long periods without using your cranking battery, connect it to a trickle charger. This will ensure the functionality you need whenever you need it.

What Cranking Battery Charger Should I Buy?

The NOCO Genius10 is one of the best chargers for cranking batteries. It can charge all types of marine batteries.

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It can do everything that you might want a battery charger to do, including:

• Maintain your battery
• Function as a trickle charger
• Act as a battery desulfator
• And more

It is also temperature sensitive, meaning that it takes outdoor or ambient temperatures into account when it charges your battery. This ensures that the battery is not over-or undercharged and helps you get as much life as possible from your cranking battery.

Besides, you can use this charger for other batteries, too. It will work on batteries for your car, truck, motorcycle, and more. If you need a one-stop-shop for all of your battery charging needs, this is the option for you.

The BMK 12V 5A Smart Battery Charger is a great budget option when it comes to cranking battery chargers. This portable charger includes technology that will detect a defective battery before any attempts at charging occur.

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It uses a 4-stage charging process to make sure that the battery gets fully charged but is not under-or overcharged. The charger also automatically stops charging when the battery reaches a full charge.

You can use this charger on other batteries, too, like car batteries. It is a great option for people who only need to use their battery charger occasionally or who like to keep one on hand but rarely pull it out.

Conclusion

Now that you know all about charging and recharging cranking batteries, you should be ready to go.

Whether you charge a cranking battery regularly or you just want to know how to do it, you should now have the knowledge you need to proceed. Enjoy your time out on the water!