Battery strategy for 2 days of fishin

[rickd]

In the old Ranger I have a 24 volt Minn Kota trolling motor with 75 pounds of thrust, if that matters. If you're fishing for 2 days what do you guys do for juicing your batteries?

I have 2 chargers that I put in the boat and charge them at 2amps with 12 volts.

Should I be using the 6amp 12volt instead?

They are new Interstate RV / Marine quality batteries.

How long do you think it’ll take them to fully charge at 2amps assuming they are healthy batteries?

I was told that a trickle charge is the healthiest way to charge your batteries, fact or fiction?

I’m tired of getting out there and loosing juice.

Any suggestions?

rickd

[Gator]

Get an on-board charger, plug it in when you ar edone for the day and should be ready for the next day. I have a 4 bank Pro-SE and have NEVER had to worry about battery power.

[rickd]

I did!

I bought a BPS on-board charger and it just doesn't work, I even sent it back once already. I guess you get what you pay for.

[mark poulson]

Dual Pro chargers are great. They charge quickly, and have a safety shut off so you don't overcharge (thanks Charlie), and they have GREAT customer service.

[Cooch]

Rick,

The battery experts say that it is best for a battery to be slow trickle charged., That 2amp rate is found on all standard, stand alone charges. This is fine when ya launch, fish a day then come home and don't plan on going out fer a few days or weeks. Problem is, it may not git yer batteries to full charge overnight. This is where ya prolly need to go to the higher charge rate. Some offer 6 amps, others 10 amps. That 6a or 10a charge should git the job done for ya over night. The thing to keep in mind, is ya want to have one of those chargers that will automatically shut off when they detect yer batteries have reached thier full potential charge. Otherwise ya cook the core by overcharging them.

This is one reason why I always recommend to guys a 36v motor system here on the River. A 64-85lb thrust motor, on a 24v battery system, installed on an 18' glass boat, just ain't gonna cut it day in and day out while fishing the River. It's fine fer lakes. Maybe it's fine in the winter here, like December and January when we have no wind and ya is just camped in one area all day. But you git out in that current and wind like what we've had the past 4-5 weeks, that smaller t-motor becomes an issue in an 18' or bigger fiberglass boat.

[Gator]

Like Mark said - Dual Pro - great chargers - mine has been in my boat more than two years and I have never had an issue.

[DanO]

I have a Minn Kota MK460 in my boat (4 bank 60 amps, 15 per bank). The MK460 charges my batteries in less than 5 hours, even on the heaviest use days.

From my understanding, to charge a battery properly, you need to heat it up pretty good in order to get a good charge on it, and that 2 amp setup you have just won't cut it for quick turnaround.

I have four Dual Pro AGM Batteries in my Skeeter that I got from Battery Systems in West Sacramento. At the last AC Pro Am in the Delta (May 4 & 5) We had extremely heavy winds; to the point I was getting blown around in Marinas while trying to hide from the wind. My batteries never died, even with 8 hours on 60 to 80% on my Minn Kota 101; the batteries were fully charged in four hours.

Look at your battery charging setup, if you want to do the maintenance charge at home, do it, you have the time. But, you need a faster setup for quick turnaround. Besides, an on-board charger will make your life easier, not having to carry the extra chargers around, and only one plug to deal with. I would suggest a 30 Amp charger for you at minimum

Charlie Evans from Battery Systems posts here fairly frequently (Battman). Ralph Harkins is a Pro Staffer for Battery Systems, and is also very knowledgeable, get with one of them, and they can give you the straight scoop.

Battery Systems of Sacramento - Ask for Charlie Evans
825 F St. #100
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone : (916) 617-2300

DanO

[Bob Simard]

Hey Rick

You going to be anywhere around Clearlake this weekend? I'll be over Saturday.

Last year, I blew a bank in my 3 bank DualPro charger changing out batteries (sparkin and arcin not good for them apparently). It's still got two healthy banks.

I run 36 in my 520 so it's no good to me. I've ran many chargers and DualPro is by far the best at charging and maintaining a charge.

It's just sitting in my garage on a shelf. You want it, it's yours. I'll be up North around Lakeport, putting in at Lucern. shoot me a PM if you're up there and I'll throw it in the truck. Otherwise, if you're going to the rally I can bring it there.

Regards,

Bob Simard

[Hitman]

You can go 2 days without charging with the Trojans!

email me if you need some info and a deal

Hitman

[Smile_n_Jax]

Might I suggest you look into either the StaynCharge or Stealth1 systems. You can charge all your batteries from your tow rig or, better yet, from the big motor while you're running from spot to spot. Depending on where and how you fish, you may never have to plug in an AC charger again.

[MIKE TREMONT]

Rick-I'm no expert but I have some experience and I'll throw my two cents in. I've been around the auto industry most of my life.

I'll be echoing Cooch here a little bit and here are the reasons why.

I sold batteries for a number of years and asked the guys that supply them what is the rate of charge they use. I was told those batts sit on a 4 amp charge until they load them on the truck.

Knowing I could get two full days without a charge on the river in the wind with the set up I have (36 volt Minn Kota 101) getting that super fast (10 or15 amp) charge was something I don't need. I'm not out there more than 2 days at anytime and I have a week in between to recharge them. I was looking to make my batts last as long as possible and the softer charge will do that, I got 4.5 years out of my last set of Interstates. I'm not plugging Interstates, I just got them at cost and have watched them last in cars for years.

There's been some great recomendations here for you. With your set up and fishing the river as much as you do you might want to think about a more effecient trolling motor, yea I know big bucks, or changing your batts more often.

I too have a Dual Pro 3 bank charger with one of the banks burned out on it like Bob offered you. You're more than welcome to it, BUT I'll trade it to you for a day on the river (in my boat). I'm needed some help out there in the worst way, and I'd like to give you a run for the money next time the FBL is out there .

Let me know, and good luck.

[bassenvy]

shouldn't this post have been made before our tourney Rick? call Gene at the Hook.

[Steve45]

Dual Pro is the way to go, have had mine for 6 years with no problems and a onboard charger that charges the trolling motor batteries on the go.

[Ralph Harkins]

For those that need a new charger I have 11 reconditioned ones for a good price. They carry a one year warrenty and can save you some money so you can buy a new dobyns rod at the same time. They are the good ones, Dual-Pro 3, a 3 banks 15 amp per leg on board charger. These chargers were gone through back at the factory and they said nothing was wrong with them. Once these are gone it will be a while befor we get more.

All of you with the banks that are not working call me or the battman and lets get that fixed under warrenty or some way else.

PM me or
Charliee Evans@ 916-997-2327

[350V RGR]

I agree with Smile_n_Jax,

Drop the plug and pick up a jitter bug

The "Plug" is like mono and the "on board chargers" are like Flouro.

Sure "Pluggies" work, I have a 4 bank (brand new) as a back up, Just in case.

Plus my Stealth1 AC/DC only weights 11 lbs!!! I cant speak for the Stay n charge, but the weight should be close, if not better.

[rickd]

Thanks to all,

I just always thought that you’d smoke your batteries with that high rate of charge, but now understanding that it’s the shutoff that counts.

Bob thanks for the offer but I won’t be up there till the nutcase event and will have to have a solution by then.

Brock / Bassenvy, be glad that your first tourney was a good one $$$$.

You guys with these Stayncharge type systems what do you do after a day of fishing? Just put a 12 volt charger on the thing and go to bed? I’m thinking of one of these type solutions instead of the regular charging systems.

[350V RGR]

Rick,

Check out-- http://www.stealth1charging.com/

this should give you an idea of what these systems do.

There may be a time when you need to plug thid system in. But Im have had mine for 2 months? and only plug it in twice.

Once when I first picked it up, put to see if worked and the second time was. Just to see if I COULD leave it plugged in. both times were "Test" and was not needed.

I have always come OFF the water with fully charged Batteries.

I just kid around some times and dont mean to put down anyones product.

Plus when the sky has fallen and the power is out, I will still be able to still fish

[Whoopbass]

Here's a link from the S.F. Bay Area Craigs list to some batteries that can easily go for 2+ days without going dead.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ele/350285690.html

I bought some off the guy that weren't as heavy as these and the batteries are great. The batteries he's selling in this ad are frikkin monsters in weight. You can e-mail and see if he has any of the 75 pounders (which are still heavy). I paid $70 each for mine and will probably be an old man when they need replaced.

[Jim PAyne]

The Stayncharge weighs just over 1LB yes 1LB only and we do not generate power we just move the already generated power of the outboard or the vehicle and we let the batteries take what they want. As far as a single charger we have alot of people that do just that, They leave a single bank AC charger in the back of there truck with the AC cords and if needed they can hook it to the start battery on the boat and it will charge the start battery as well as up to three trolling batteries. I hope this helps.

[bassenvy]

Thanks to all,
Brock / Bassenvy, be glad that your first tourney was a good one $$$$.

sorry I had to step on the pedal so much in them 3' rollers and burn up yer batteries the fish were callin' me!

call Charlie Evans 916 997 2327 I just ordered a reconditioned Dual Pro 3 Bank Charger (Pro Edition with shutoff feature) with a 1 year warrenty for my boat for $230! He's even going to drop it to Lyle for me. Tell him me and Ralph sent ya he's a cool dude!

ps clean out the cheetos and red bull from your livewells!