What's the best battery charger to use for GTI SE?

[Rob Laz]

Hello folks: I'm a newbie owner. I live in Fla. A few questions:

What is the best battery charger to use for my 2009 GTI SE 130?
Do I need to take it out of the unit or can I charge it while still connected? The Seadoo is on my covered boat lift.
Any words of advice in using one?

 

[LouDoo]

I don't usually give advice on the 4-tek forum, but I don't think I'll get too much argument here. The Optimate 4 gets my vote.

http://www.amazon.com/TM-141-OptiMate-Weatherproof-Desulfating-Maintainer/dp/B001EBDXLM

The Battery Tender Jr. also works well, for about half the price.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S...vpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_4n4x5vcsn9_b

Lou

 

[Rob Laz]

Ok thanks. Sorry if I wandered into the wrong forum. Will go to the right one next time. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[LouDoo]

You're on the right forum, I have never owned or worked on a 4-tek so I usually don't give advice. BTW how do you like the 4-tek GTI? I was considering buying a 2005.

Lou

 

[Rob Laz]

So far so good but I have only owned this for a few months. To me it has enough power for riding up and down the St Johns River.

 

[jeteffect]

I have used the battery tender jr. With great results.

 

[Rob Laz]

thanks jeteffect... i think thats what ill get as well. i live in north florida and we get a couple of freezing days but not bad.

 

[dgd]

I use an Optimate 4 that is connected to the battery whenever the SeaDoo is on the lift. However, I was concerned about the possibility of damaging the SeaDoo's electronics so I installed a battery switch that isolates the battery from the electronics.

 

[Rob Laz]

dgd: where did you get and how did you install this battery switch?

 

[dgd]

Rob,

I installed a Battery Isolator Switch in series with the battery positive terminal. I first removed the lead from the positive terminal of the battery; I then added a new cable (about 30" in length) from the positive terminal to one side of the switch which I mounted in a panel under the seat; I then added a second new cable from the other side of the switch back to the previously disconnected lead. At the same time, I replaced the wet cell battery with an AGM battery.

The switch Model No 598375 was purchased from West Marine but these are a fairly common item and are available from many sources. The new cables were manufactured for me by Bohannon Battery of Florida (386-328-9024).

You can view photographs of the components/installation (plus the bilge pump) in my Album RXT260.

 

[Rob Laz]

thanks dgd... i will sure look into it.

 

[blur826]

my friends and I use this one, never had any trouble $32.39 on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-800-Waterproof-Charger/dp/B000CITKCE

Its waterproof i keep it plugged in all the time outside. Just use a little dielectric grease on the connector.