Looking for a battery changer that will charge 3 battery's at once. Also looking for a good inverter as I want to install a tv in the boat for the kids. Last but not least what is everybody using for battery's. I'm gonna replace them all this next year and have had a few friends try the optima batteries and did not get more that 2 years out of them. What is everybody's thoughts. Thank you all in advanced...

Not sure if this is "the best" but I have used mine for several seasons. Shockproof, waterproof, triple bank smart charger. The 20+ model. Can be used on all types of batteries. Will allocate amps according to battery needs and can leave plugged into boat all winter long. I added a through-hull plug and use it at home, shop, marina etc..... I would easily buy another one.... they are on sale to boot!
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/produ...3Bcat104698080

I use a charge pro 3 bank charger and newer optima blue and yellow batterys with good results. now some of the older optimas and red top batterys have not got a good reputation when they sit unused for months. they seem to never recover to 100% . This is just experience ive had personally with optimas. I think any battery sitting with a draw for months dead will kill it no matter the brand.

As far as batteries go I just have 2 Vita-Plate Marine starting batteries, one for each engine and 1 Deca Marine deep cycle for the stereo. I installed these batteries new in the spring of 2008 and are still working in the boat fine. The key I believe is never let them totally discharge by leaving something turned on and forgetting about it. I’m am going to see if I can get 8 seasons out of em’ next year.

Another thought is, I installed a 19” 12 volt Jensen flat screen led TV ( made supposedly for the marine environment) and a separate 12 volt DVD player and couldn’t be happier.

I guess I never thought about just installing a 12v tv and DVD. It would eliminate the inverter. I did see the 3 bank chargers from cabelas. Those cought my eye rite when I searched for battery chargers.

When we use to work on bass boats probably 2/3 of them would buy Minn Kota 3 or 4 bank battery chargers. They Minn Kota also make trolling motors so they have a huge vested interest in offering good 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 bank battery chargers for their trolling motor customers. I would check them out.

Next on the List was Guest battery chargers and next is Powermania battery chargers.

We sold a lot of Minn Kota and then Guest. Guest offered a cheaper price.

The word bank for a battery charger means how many batteries it will charge at one time. Also we installed a lot of Marinco onboard charger inlet plugs to go with the battery chargers.

In my old boat I have a http://promariner.com/products/dry-m...-availability/
Definitely oversize your charger if you plan on running any of your batteries in parallel. Gel and AGM absorb current faster then flooded type also.

I've had these Exide AGM "6 packs" since 2002. I run two (parallel) on battery 2 switch and switch 1 for starting emergency. I spend the whole day with the fridge,blender batches, stereo plus amps going with no issues. The 40 amp charger charges them back to full state within 4 hours. Would definitely buy this setup again.

If your planning on running 3 in parallel definitely contact the manufacture you choose since there is a consequence to doing this.
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It's best to isolate batteries for charging. You only want one battery per bank of the charger. I have isolation on/off switches to break the parallel between batteries while plugged into the charger.

I too have also used many of the cabelas pro-series chargers... Have never had a problem, will charge each bank individual to its particular needs. Just put a 20+ in my new boat, no reason to believe this one will let me down.

I have a Pro Mariner as well and I added shore power when I added it. I like the fact that you program the charger for the type of battery you have. My batteries are Wallmart specials, came with the boat and are 6 years old and still hold a charge like new. What's nice now is that over the winter I can plug the boat in and the batteries are precisely topped off and I don't have to worry about over charging. It's definitely a quality piece.