What is the proper way to charge a deep cycle battery?

[trapper2000]

it's not diesel?? does it have a seprate  regulator? or  built in? 454  gm motor?

[rgfixit]

Yes, it's a GMC...we didn't want a diesel, they're obnoxious to drive distances with...too darn noisy.. I assume the regulators are built in as with all modern alternators.

RG

[trapper2000]

thats  a very interesting set up rg!!!!  i'm intriged .... i ask about regulator  becase  that alt  should  push about 17 to 18  volts  on top end when needed! just wondering why it's not charging fully for you! but it sounds  like a  cool machine

[rgfixit]

If you go back to the proper charging scenario, I believe that the batteries are only receiving a "bulk" charge. They get in the range of 14.5 v with the engine at idle.

The truck is a sweetheart to drive. Very quiet and comfortable. It's a 2001 3500HD chassis with a 35" working height ALTEC boom.  We bought it out of Tennessee. It was ordered as an AT&T line service truck and the branch closed or something. Anyways, it was tied up in bankruptcy for the last 8 1/2 years. It has 9500 original miles. We paid 1/4 it's value.

I love my bucket truck

RG

[trapper2000]

 it  sounds  cool lol  i'm thinking  the  regulator  is  messed tho that regulator  should   bulk charge  then  back off  as the battery  picks up....35 boom thats  3 storys  thats  a long ways up!

[pooley]

I love my bucket truck


me too! 100 foot sutphen tower ladder.

[trapper2000]

pooley can i  turn on the siren??

[rgfixit]

Does it have a water cannon? I always wanted to play with a water cannon

RG

[KingPerch]

The heck with the siren and cannon, I want to climb up that ladder!!

[rgfixit]

Ladders...pshaw!

That's why man invented the bucket truck

RG

[EASTGRANDEST]

So I have two 90 dollar deep cycle batterys on my boat. One I use for just a 40lb thrust minnkota trolling motor. The other is used for starting a 115 merc OB and fish finder, bilge pump, lights, and what ever else. I charge both batterys every time I get in from fishing. I set them both on my napa chargers (auto shut off), but I set them on the 2 amp deep cycle charge. Should I use the 10 amp setting instead? sorry still a bit confused. 

[Bailbuster]

When I bought my new battery(deep cycle) it came with instructions that said it should be charged at 20% of output.BB

[trapper2000]

WAIT A MINUTE!!!!!! YOUR TELLING ME  THESE THINGS  CAN BE RECHARGED? OMG  THIS WILL SAVE ME A TON OF MONEY

[Spin]

  RG hit it exactly, smart chargers do the optimum job with 3 stage charging and usually have a maintenence feature as well. Buying 2 deep cycles and alternating them may not be a good idea. The onboard charging feature on some boats are designed to throw a quick charge into a standard starting(automotive) battery.
You are most likely better off using a deep cycle for your 12 volt systems like the depth dfinders,trolling motoers, livewell pump, etc and a cranking battery for starting the engine. A 1 or 1 1/2 amp battery tender
 is a real good idea off season too.

                                                                                                                                            Spin

[rgfixit]

Thanks Spin....I thought I was speaking Greek to Inuits.

Once again.....Any charger will put some charge into a deep cycle battery. To charge them fully takes a 3 step, regulated charge. No, your boat's alternator will not charge a deep cycle fully. They're designed to bulk charge a cranking battery.

RG