Question about SLA batt chargers

[Majja]

I was just at Wal mat and the have a motorcycle batt charger that is like 1.5 amps. It said it was a Lead Acid Batt charger will this work for SLA batterys.
[signature]

[smallmouth89]

I use my son's motorcycle battery charger for my &.5 amp S.L.A. battery. It works fine.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]SLA stands for "sealed lead acid" battery. The 1.5 amp charger will be fine. However, most folks who use the SLA batteries like to use the low amp "trickle chargers" with the little step-down transformers. I have two. One is .5 amp and the other is .8 amp. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The notice on the charger is to keep you from using it on some of the exotic rechargeable batteries like you might use in your camera or GPS unit.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[Majja]

Thanks for the info. Is there any place here in SLC to get one that is a trickle charger for not to much. I now have my sonar and battery and just need to get a charger,

Thanks
Majja
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I think Sportsmans has them for about $10. They are next to their SLA batteries back in the sonar section.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You can also find them in places like Radio Shack and at some of the specialty Battery Stores, where they sell a lot of the SLA batteries for various electronic needs.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]With the trickle chargers, you can usually just leave the battery on for about an hour for each hour you spend on the water as a guideline. And, if you leave them on longer, they usually won't harm the battery. A charger with a high amp output can damage a battery if you leave it on too long.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One of the things I purchased a long time ago is a multi-voltage battery tester. It does not just read "Charged"...but actually displays how many volts the battery is putting out. I set it for a 12 volt battery, touch the red to red and black to black and see just how much the battery is charged.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Ideally, your battery will be charged up to about 13 volts at full charge. After a full day on the water it can get down toward the 12 volt mark. You should never let it go below 11 volts. That will still operate most sonars but is not good for the battery.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If your battery has set idle for awhile, since your last trip, use the battery tester to see what the charge is. If it is below 12.5 volts, top it off (to 13 volts) before going fishing. Also, put it on the charger as soon as you get home.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]SLA batteries are not "deep cycle" batteries. They should not be absolutely drained between chargings. They will last a lot longer and serve you better if you keep them charged up between uses and if you charge them after every use.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[Majja]

Thanks TD. As always you are the MAN
[signature]

[mateo]

I've always used my regular automotive battery charger on mine, on the "deep cycle" setting. After the initial charge it switches to a trickle type charge. I think I got it at kmart.

My battery finally gave up the ghost this summer after about 5 years of abuse.
[signature]