You get up early and drive to the lake. Next, you launch the boat and head to your favorite trolling spot on your favorite lake, and the boat’s batteries are not working. What is wrong with the batteries?
Well, this type of situation could happen to you at any time. The first place to start is a good charger to keep your batteries in tip-top shape. But like many people, you may get confused by the multitude of products out there on the internet.
That’s why we have come up with the top 3 bank marine battery chargers to end all of your confusion. We will compare the top 7 popular 3 bank marine battery chargers so that you can find your ideal product. So, let’s get started.
Note: most links in this article are Amazon.com Affiliate links, see Affiliate Disclosure, thank you.
A Brief Introduction to 3 Bank Marine Battery Chargers
Marine battery chargers are an essential part of running and making your boat’s electric trolling motor work well. Without an onboard marine battery charger, you have to remove the batteries, charge them from a regular charger and again install them on your boat. Phew! That sounds like a daunting task.
If you have three batteries on your boat, then a 3 bank marine battery charger will be the best option. Having your on-board battery charger will help you get the sufficient charge that your boat needs. Additionally, an on-board battery charger will increase the lifespan of your batteries by maintaining them between uses.
A 3 bank marine charger is generally constructed in a metal or plastic case. Many chargers have three main LED lights in the device which indicates the charging status of the three batteries. There’s a fun fact on how to choose a good marine battery charger. Just count the number of LEDs. It is said that the greater the number of LEDs, the more features on the marine battery charger.
There are generally four wires on a 3 bank marine battery charger. One wire supplies electricity to the charger and the other three connects with the batteries to provide power to the batteries. The wires and internal circuits are coated with silicon to make them waterproof. Some chargers may have a fifth wire to sense temperature during charging.
3 bank marine battery chargers may have different features, but the common thing about all of them is that they are very very costly. They are not budget-friendly because they have the combined powers of three charges and are fully waterproof.
Below we have listed some of the best 3 bank marine battery chargers which are available on the internet:
Product overview
Best overall
– Minn Kota MK345PC 3 Bank x 15
Best buy
– Minn Kota Onboard Digital Charger MK315D
Best High-end
– Promariner 36 Amp 52036 Battery
Lithium Compatable
NOCO Genius GENPRO 3-Bank, 30-Amp Fully-Automatic Smart Marine Charger
Full Product Breakdown
Minn Kota Onboard Digital Charger MK315D (best buy)
Minn Kota Onboard Digital Charger MK315D is one of the best on-board battery chargers for boats by Minn Kota, which is a 15-amp total charger and provides about 5 Amps per bank. It is saltwater tested to help protect your charger from corrosion.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Waterproof and saltwater tested
- Shock and vibrant resistant
- Automatic temperature compensation
- Automatic multi-stage charging
- Multi LED status display
- Can charge flooded, AGM and gel batteries
Cons:
- 5 Amps per bank charging capacity
- Not compatible with lithium-ion batteries
We were very impressed with this product because of its versatility. It constantly monitors the battery condition, and it will alert you of anything wrong with the batteries or a short circuit, etc. It is very easy to install and it is one of the few 3 bank battery chargers on the market which values money. There are hardly any bad reviews about it so you should definitely consider buying one for yourself If you are not in a hurry on your recharge time.
Check out the price on Amazon.com
Minn Kota MK345PC 3 Bank × 15 Amp Precision Charger (best overall)
Minn Kota MK330PC 3 Bank × 10 Amp Precision Charger is one of the few chargers that allow the user to independently select and charge a different type of battery in each bank. The chargers are also short circuit, reverse polarity, and ignition protected.
Pros:
- Digital Charging Technology
- True rated output
- Compatible with flooded leach acid, gel, AGM and High-Performance AGM battery types
- Fully waterproof machinery
- Automatic temperature compensation
- Short circuit, reverse polarity, and ignition protected
- 10 Amps per bank charging capacity
Cons:
- Not compatible with lithium-ion batteries.
- Price
The Minn Kota Precision chargers are regarded as the best overall charger on the market. One of the best features of this charger is that each battery can be set to a different charge profile. We don’t recommend having different types of batteries for your trolling motor system, but If you plan on hooking up a 24-volt trolling motor system and your main motor battery, this charger is the best option. One negative side of this charger is its high price which may not be suitable for everyone.
Check out the price on Amazon.com
For some great information on trolling motor batteries
click here for our article What type of battery should I use for my electric trolling motor?
NOCO Genius GENPRO 30 Amp 3-Bank On-Board Battery Charger
NOCO offers not only a three-bank portal but also gives a mix of high technology in a rugged construction presentation to offer an efficient and effective charging experience to you. It is waterproof which ensures no electric dysfunction just in case it suddenly gets wet on and protects its electrical wiring.
Pros:
- Fully waterproof sealed machinery
- Ignition protected
- Fast charging
- Compatible with wet-cell, AGM, lithium, and gel deep cycle batteries
- 10 Amps per bank charging capacity
- Lightweight and compact
Cons:
- Doesn’t have varied controls
This NOCO battery charger’s compact structure makes it suitable for all kinds of boats. This product has almost everything which you want in your 3 bank marine battery charger. But there are some bad reviews regarding the customer service of NOCO. That’s why we recommend you to buy it only if you have some experience regarding marine battery chargers and purchase only from a large retailer who will back you up.
Check out the price on Amazon.com
ProMariner 20 amp ProSport Gen 3 Battery Charger (3 – Bank; 12/24/36V)
The Promariner is a heavy-duty 3 bank marine battery charger, which is a part of the ProSport Series Chargers. This generation of chargers incorporates an all-digital microprocessor control. It also provides automatic battery sensing to lessen the difficulty of setup on your part.
Pros:
- Extruded aluminum housing
- Dynamic thermal output control
- 100% waterproof and shockproof
- Compatible with flooded, gel or AGM batteries
- 20 Amps charging capacity
- Easy to install
- Expanded LED status center
Cons:
- Not compatible with lithium batteries
- Price
- Very heavy to carry
This 3 bank marine battery charger is perfect for newbies who don’t have much experience regarding battery chargers. It is also very easy to set up. One customer typed a 300-word review of this product and said that it took him more time to type the review than install the charger. Its price is the negative side of this product.
Check out the price on Amazon.com
Promariner 36 Amp 52036 Battery Charger Protournament (best high-end)
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Promariner battery charger is a great product for serious fishermen. Many professional fishermen are using this battery charger for tournaments. The top feature to note about this unit is called Distribute-On-Demand. It automatically distributes the charger capacity to the battery that needs the most recharge. If all the batteries in your boat are of the same type, then it is perfect for you.
Pros:
- Forced induction cooling
- 2 to 3 times faster than traditional chargers
- Digital LED Display with Dual Mode Battery Status Monitor
- Compatible with flooded, AGM, HP AGM batteries
- 36 Amps charging capacity
- Temperature sensing charge control
- Waterproof and shockproof
- 2 year warranty
Cons:
- Not compatible with lithium batteries
- Not compatible with Gel batteries
- Price
- Charge profile setting is identical for all batteries
Promariner is a great 3 bank marine battery charger, but unless you are using identical dual power batteries, you should use it basically for charging devices that are separate from your main motor. Its temperature sensing charge control makes it ideal for hot climatic regions. The customers are very satisfied with this product and they have lots of good things to say about it too. Just be sure that your boat doesn’t run on gel batteries, this charger is a top pick for 36 volt AGM battery systems.
Check out the price on Amazon.com
Guest 2731A ChargePro On-Board Battery Charger 30A / 12V, 3 Bank
Guest on-board battery chargers have been redesigned from the inside out with the customer in mind. Their newest generation onboard marine battery chargers include leading advancements in digital charging technology and waterproof design/construction. Every Guest charger has dedicated charging, sensing, and control per bank. The easy-to-read graphics indicate the status of each battery bank through the charging process.
Pros:
- Fully waterproof and shock-resistant
- reverse polarity protection
- over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature and ignition protection.
- Compatible with flooded and AGM lead-acid batteries
- 30 Amps charging capacity
- LED charge status monitor
- 2 year warranty
Cons:
- Not compatible with lithium-ion batteries
- Not compatible with Gel batteries
- Price
Guest brand has been in the marine charger business for many years, but they don’t have much fame. Their new line of marine battery chargers is redesigned to compete with the best of the best. This 3 bank marine battery charger is very easy to install and it also comes up with reverse polarity protection. But, if you intend to use it in saltwater, then you should try to keep it away from water as much as possible because it doesn’t list “saltwater proof.” Another bad side is that it can only charge flooded and AGM batteries. On a personal note, my first two bank charger was a Guest and it still works today.
Check out the price on Amazon.com
Dual Pro 15 Amp/Bank Professional Series 3 Bank Charger
Dual Pro is a three-bank charger that provides 15 amps for each bank. This professional series charger is known for being one of the safest, reliable, good performing chargers and helps in giving you a long time in the water. It is equipped with a reverse polarity protection feature and can extend your battery’s life through its charging profile.
Pros:
- Safe and reliable
- Reverse polarity protection
- Temperature control feature
- Fully waterproof and shockproof
- 15 Amps per bank charging capacity
- LED charge status monitor
- 3 year warranty
- Compatible with flooded, AGM and gel type of batteries
Cons:
- Price
- Not compatible with lithium-ion batteries
Last but not least, this 3 bank marine battery charger has also stolen lots of hearts. If you have flooded batteries or AGM batteries on your boat, then it is perfect for your batteries. This product is well known for its long-lasting nature and its easy-to-install features. Though the price of this marine battery charger may seem to be a little bit high, we are sure that you won’t regret buying this. Additionally, this charger has the highest total amps on our list at 45 for the fastest charge.
Check out the price on Amazon.com
Click here to read our review of Trolling Motor Batteries
Conclusion
We have worked very hard to list the top 3 bank marine charger out there on the market. Overall most of the top marine chargers on the market are good quality. But every charger may not be compatible with your boat. So, review the information we have gathered and decide what’s best for your boat. Our overall top pick for a three-bank charger is the Minn Kota MK345PC 3 Bank x 15amps because of total Amps (45) and versatility.
We hope that this article will erase your confusion and help you to pick the perfect 3 bank marine battery charger for your boat. For more information, you can check our other articles below.
Click here for our article Best gauge wire for a 24 volt trolling motor?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pick the right size marine 3 bank charger for my boat?
The right size 3 bank charger will recharge your batteries overnight so you can fish the next day. For example: if you have 100 AH AGM batteries that can be discharged to 50%, 50 amps. A 30 amp 3 bank charger charges 10 amps per bank but will average 5 amps for a 100% charge through all cycles.
If you plan on fishing once per week, you can use a smaller charger such as a 15 amp 3 bank charger. You can use a larger charger for lithium batteries but make sure it is compatible.
What does a battery’s amp-hour rating (capacity) mean?
A battery’s Amp-hour rating is the number of ampere-hours that could be provided per hour during a specified time in test conditions. Most Deep cycle battery manufacturers label their batteries with a 20-hour rate. For example: 5 amps for 20 hours = 100 ah at the 20-hour rate. 100 ah batteries are a standard size for flooded or AGM trolling motor batteries.
What is the best charger for a marine battery?
There are lots of different types of chargers for marine batteries on the market. Despite this, you might be wondering if you can use a regular battery charger with your marine battery, and you absolutely can.
However, it is always best to use a battery charger that is designed for use with marine batteries if you can. You should only use a regular battery charger if you do not have a marine charger at hand.
One of the best marine battery chargers on the market is the ProMariner ProTournament 360 Elite Series Charger, which is a 12-amp per bank charger. This charger will protect your marine battery from overheating or overcharging.
It will also protect against reverse polarity and is compatible with AGM batteries of 12 volts. With all of this combined, it is clear that this is the best charger for your marine battery.
Does a marine battery need a special charger?
Ideally, yes, a marine battery does need a special charger. As we have said, you can use a regular charger, but this is not recommended as a long-term solution. It is okay to use a regular charger in emergency situations, but if you do this in the long term, it could result in your marine battery becoming damaged.
The most important thing to remember when looking for a marine battery charger is that it will need to match the voltage and chemistry of the boat battery. If it does not, then the battery charger will not work.
As long as these match up, then any battery charger will do the job. But, we would always suggest trying to go for a marine battery charger where you can, as these chargers will also be water-resistant, making them safer for use on your boat.
What is the best 2 bank marine battery charger?
If you are looking for a 2 bank marine battery charger, then we would always recommend the Dual Pro Professional Series 2 charger. While this charger is not exclusively designed for use with marine batteries, it has had the stamp of approval from the majority of America’s biggest boat manufacturers, so it is safe to use.
This battery charger is insanely reliable, which is why it is so good as a marine battery charger. It works excellently with AGM batteries as well as wet-cell batteries.
Due to this, it is ideal for fresh and saltwater boat batteries, as well as trolling motors too. With a 5 stage charging system, your battery is well-protected when connected to this charger.
But, the best thing about this battery charger is that it is waterproof. So, while it was not designed for marine batteries, it really is perfect for them.
What is the best 3 bank marine battery charger?
It is clear that Dual pro is one of the leading companies when it comes to marine battery chargers. Not only is one of their chargers our top pick for a 2 bank charger, but their Dual Pro PS3 charger is also our top pick for a 3 bank marine battery charger. This isn’t our favorite because of any fancy features or designs, it is our favorite because it is so reliable.
The Dual Pro PS3 has existed for a long time, and it is still a firm favorite. This model is insanely reliable and a firm favorite with boat manufacturers across the USA. It is also incredibly safe, and will not damage your battery at all.
If that wasn’t enough, this model is also one of the best-performing on the market. So, if you need a 3 bank marine battery charger, we would always recommend this one.
Should I leave my boat battery charger on all the time?
If you have a fully automatic charger you should leave it plugged in all the time. Doing so will increase the life of your batteries.
Whether between uses or for long storage lead-acid batteries will last longer if they are kept at a full charge, Most modern chargers are fully automatic smart charged and will switch to a maintenance mode once your battery is fully charged.
If your batteries have been fully charged and you plan to use your boat in a week or two don’t lose sleep over leaving your batteries unplugged as a good battery should be fine for such a short time.
Can I use a trickle charger on a marine battery?
Yes, you absolutely can use a trickle charger on a marine battery. In fact, this style of charger works really well with marine batteries because they do not create excess heat.
Overheating is a common issue with regular chargers, and this heat is noticeable to the touch. While the heat does no damage to you, it will damage your battery.
This damage is not immediately noticeable, instead, it will happen slowly over a lengthy period of time until your battery no longer operates properly. But, trickle chargers do not overheat, because they charge the battery slowly, so there is no need to worry about it damaging your battery.
So, yes, you can use a trickle charger on a marine battery. In fact, this is something that we would definitely recommend doing.
How often should you charge a marine battery?
Charging your marine battery after every use is a must and can make a huge difference in the lifespan of your battery. keeping your lead-acid battery fully charged when not in use will increase the overall lifespan by reducing the chance that the lead will degrade.
A quality smart charger will recharge your batteries and then switch into maintenance mode until you are ready to use your boat again. Connecting your batteries to the charger after use should be a regular part of your routine.
If you leave lead-acid batteries below 50% depth of discharge the plates will begin to sulfate and damage the overall health of the battery. This damage can be reduced capacity and reduce overall charge cycles, leaving you to replace your batteries sooner than normal.
How long do marine battery chargers last?
Some marine battery chargers can be very pricey, so you might want to know exactly how long your battery charger will last before you buy it. Generally speaking, most battery chargers will last anywhere between 2 and 5 years, depending on the model that you buy and the level of care that you give the charger.
If you look after your battery charger and upkeep the maintenance on it, then you will usually get a lot of years out of your charger. But, if you neglect it then your battery charger simply will not last.
The same principle applies to marine batteries, so if you want your battery to last, it is very important that you look after it. As long as you do this, then you should get years of use out of both your marine battery and your marine battery charger.
What is a 3 bank charger?
A 3 bank charger is typically a charger that can charge three 12-volt batteries or three banks of 12-volt batteries. These chargers have one input power wire, normally 120-volts A/C, and three 12- volt output wires. Each output wire is typically connected to one 12-volt battery or group (bank) of batteries with a total voltage of 12-volts.
Does a 3 bank battery charge work with different battery types?
Most 3 bank battery chargers work with multiple battery types, but check the manual to confirm before you purchase. As a general rule, the smarter chargers will sense the battery type and adjust the charge profile to match. Other chargers will have a battery selection option in the form of a button, dip switches, and circuit selector inserts.
If you use lithium batteries, you can set your charger to AGM and get roughly 93% capacity out of your battery. However, if you want 100% capacity or need to wake your battery up, you need a specialized lithium charger.
How do I select the proper amount of banks for my boat’s charging system?
For standard boat systems, you should use a charge that has the same amount of banks as you have 12-volt batteries. If you have a 24-volt trolling motor, typically, you will have two batteries for it and one additional battery for your main engine for a total of three batteries. For this three battery system, you need a 3 bank marine charger.
Can you use 2 batteries on a 3 bank marine charger?
Most 3 bank chargers will charge 2 banks just fine; however, it is not a “best practice”. A 3 bank charger is typically 3 chargers built inside one housing to conserve space and share common power input parts. Most 3 bank chargers have separate charge controllers for each output wire. Consult your chargers user manual for more information.
What is a reasonable budget for a marine 3 bank charger?
Depending on amperage, charging features, and quality, a marine 3 bank battery charger should run from $100 to $500. However, you can purchase an excellent charger for your boat for around $200 for the average weekend fisherman.
How many hours does it take to recharge your boat batteries?
Your boat’s recharge time depends on many factors, like the charger’s amp rate, battery size, and total discharge. For example: if your batteries are 100 AH, you used 50 amps each, you have a 30 amp charger your maximum charge will be 10 amps per battery, resulting in 5 hours to charge 50 amps.
However, it will take you longer to get a 100% charge because after your batteries reach above 90%, most smart chargers will change to absorption mode and reduce amperage, which could double the charge time to 10 hours.
Can you overcharge a marine battery with a 3 bank charger?
You can overcharge a marine battery resulting in damage or even an explosion. However, modern 3 bank smart chargers have built-in safety systems to prevent overcharging by switching to maintenance mode when the battery is fully charged. Look for the phrase “Smart Charger” when selecting your charger.
