Cul M Rite Pro Pak III in Sears 31 AGM

[Bass Cat Boats]

Second time this week, yes it should do fine.

[cb2structural]

I asked the same question this week about an Odyssey battery (same battery as the Sears 31 youre talking about). I have a 2006 Cul M Rite three bank.I dont blame you for asking. The problem is that were shelling out nearly $300 bucks a battery (Odyssey site lists retail at $377/battery) and the Odyssey site does not list this Cull M Rite charger as an approved one on their list of approved chargers for this battery. Odyssey goes on further to discuss a proper charging of their batteries in their literature. I downloaded Odysseys tech book regarding proper charging of these batteries and it goes on for three pages about proper chargers and proper charging. I also went back to my old Cul M Rite literature and read in the tech area where each bank is working at 7 amps (Straight from owners manual). I was surprised at this. I was expecting 10 amps per bank. On the approved list of chargers is Dual Pro only with the DeltaVolt charge profile is an option. They list a few other chargers too, but Im not as familiar with them such as Promariner 1250 and 1260 and the Powermania Turbo M Series. Cul M Rite is not on the list.In the battery literature, there is a specific charge profile that they want used when charging these batteries.I did a google search and found some additional literture for the Cul M Rite Pro Pak III, but Im not sure how old or new it is. It is called, in the data I pulled up, to have a (4) stage charging process…..but was this the case in a 2006 Cul M Rite charger….and if so, is this the correct amperage and charge profile of the Cul M Rite appropriate for these batteries?….Who knows?Im going to put forth the effort to try and get to the bottom of what Ive got and whether or not it is appropriate. Im going to call Enersys and Cul M Rite and verify what weve got here. BCB may be exactly correct and Im wasting my time researching this…..but…..Id like to hear it directly from the battery manufacturer and directly from the charger manufacturer.

[cb2structural]

As you guys probably know, Cul M Rite chargers were bought out a few years back and are now known as the Noco Genius Chargers.I went straight to the Noco site and chatted with a Noco representative. We established that Noco bought out Cul M Rite. I then specifically asked if the Pro Pak III chargers are appropriate and match the correct charge profile for the AGM Odyssey type batteries. I stated to the Noco representative that I have a 2006 Cul M Rite and wanted to know if the old Cul M rite would properly charge the Odyssey batteries or did I need a different charger that properly aligns with the recommended Odyssey charge profile. Here is the exact response from Noco Genius Chargers:Tommy Clarkthe GEN3 chargers have been upgraded to be able to handle the new AGM battery charging profiles, the old pro pak units do not.So now what?Do I think the old Cul M Rite will charge the new AGM 31s like a Sears Platnum or Odyssey 2150……I think it will…but will it charge them fully and help them to last over the long haul?…….I dont know…..and from what I read in the Odyssey information, I dont believe so. Im still going to ask Enersys and see what they say too.

[cb2structural]

I called Enersys and talked to them directly about their batteries and the correct charger for this type of battery. Odyssey tells me that these batteries actually prefer a charge amperage of at least 35amps per bank……..not the 10amp or less we typically see in an on-board charger. The high amperage helps to desulfate the batteries and makes them last longer.The Odyssey rep stated that they do not make a recommendation regarding Noco Genius chargers. The rep did state that Odyssey had reviewed the Dual Pro Professional Series and had placed them on their approved marine charger list because they have slightly higher amperage (at 15 amps per bank) and have a charge profile that works well with the Odyssey batteries. Again, this is direct from Enersys.Sounds to me like, on all counts, the old Cul M Rite is not right for these high end batteries. Not enough amperage and wrong charge profile.

[Jeff W from TX]

Wow! Thanks for doing the research cb2structural!So i wonder if I could still use the Cul M Rite charger but after the Cul M Rite is finished charging unplug the Cul M Rite and top off the Sears battery with a 15 amp battery charger? My boat is a 2005 model Cougar but my charger went bad a few years ago and I replaced it with another Cul M Rite as they offered me a good price and I would not have to drill new holes. I wonder if there is a serial number or something on the charger to tell its age.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Thats up to you…but I would say no due to the required charge profile…..if you want max life out of the battery and max depth of charge.No problem on the research. I wanted to know too.

[Bass Cat Boats]

We still say from our uses and testing on these AGM batteries they will work fine. There are more factors than your information leads to. For example if you are at the motel on a 16 gauge wire what is the output voltage on a 50 cord run with a Dual Pro. We also have found few chargers that have been tested, though the NOCO and CMR have been tested by Trojan for their AGM and in a similar battery were approved. You have done some research on batteries that is right online with our knowledge. Though we think the NOCO and CMR chargers are both fine for what you have. There are not many chargers forcing outm the 35 amps they list for a desulfation of the plates. Plus these are a sealed unit and the AGM style dont really desulfate like a standard lead acid battery. Much more to it and from our uses the chargers will work fine for ample life in those batteries. BCB

[Jeff W from TX]

Thanks for the clarification BCB. I really did not want to have to shell out another almost $400 for a new charger. I installed the Sears battery this past weekend. Well see how it goes.

[Ryan2005]

I also just purchased the sears 31 and I am using a minn kota charger. The manual said it would work on Agm and maintenance free batterys. so far so good definantly do not want to ruin a 300 dollar battery though.

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