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Author	Topic:   Engine Start With Battery Charger Operating
lhpdiver	posted 03-23-2012 06:27 PM ET (US)         [The] batteries [in the author's boat] are in great shape, and the engines are no trouble to start--knock on wood. If the batteries were to get run down, is it okay to try starting the boat while the charger is attached to shore power? Would that cut down the wait time ? The charger is a Guest 10-Ampere dual battery charger. Thanks
Teak Oil	posted 03-23-2012 07:39 PM ET (US)             That charger is not meant to be a booster and you could damage it by trying to use it as a booster. It might save you a few minutes of charging but is it worth possibly burning up your charger to save a few minutes?
newt	posted 03-24-2012 10:36 AM ET (US)             Teak Oil may be correct. The manual does say to shut off all power draw from your batteries while charging. On the other hand, I have the same or very similar model charger, and I have started the motors and used electrical power while charging without any damage to the charger. Maybe I have been lucky.
jimh	posted 03-24-2012 07:22 PM ET (US)             Most battery chargers are fused at the cables where the charger connects to the battery terminals. If during engine starting too much current was demanded from the battery charger, the fuses would blow. That is about the only harm I can imagine would occur.

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