TROLLING MOTOR BATTERY PROBLEMS!! PLEASE HELP!!

[Marone]

Well, my new boat disappoints me again, battery ran dead after 6 hours on the delta. I need lots of battery strength and i have one deep cell running the 55lb thrust Minn Kota. Can I hook two batteries up to this motor for extra battery life?

[swimbait]

http://www.trojan-battery.com/Products/ ... ame=SCS225

Get one of those. Like you, I have a 55lb thrust minn kota and with that battery it's never ran out of juice, ever. I'm talking fishing 15hours, running it on high all day in the wind, etc. They're expensive yeah but how lame is it to run out of trolling motor juice mid way through the trip. mega lame.

[Marone]

dude so lame. right when we were coasting into an island my friend missed a lunker striper and we couldn't even follow it up with a swimbait because we had to move before we ended up on the island.

[DPetty]

To answer your question regarding 2 batteries, yes you can parallel 2 batteries to a 12 volt TM. I could explain it to you but, it would easier to look up (parallel batteries) on an internet search. If you can't get it PM me with fax number and I'll fax you a diagram.

[Gator]

Here's how to wire them in parallel

<img src="/shared/photos/photoother/resized/27_resized.jpg">

[fishhook]

go with two batterys, i did and i have never ran out of juice since, i have a 43 lbs moter guide i ran out at oroville in a tourny, next day took it to the dealer and had them fit two batterys back by the tank, solved my problem hope it works for you

[Marone]

thanks for all of the info guys!! i thnk i'm going to try two batteries because the trojan battery is a little too pricey. last night i put the battery that was dead back on the charger and it wouldn't charge. I added a little more water in the reservoirs and now will that battery be dead for life? will it have power still?

[mark poulson]

A battery dealer told me that each time you let a battery run down to dead, and then recharge it, you lose 50% of it's capacity. I don't know if that's accurate, but it seems like it wouldn't take long to have no capacity at all.
I upgraded to Optima blue tops, which are spiral wraps and require no water. No battery problems in two years. Just be sure to put them on the charger as soon as you get home. They need to be stored on a full charge.

[Marone]

HAS ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE TRIED THE TROJAN BATTERIES? SWIMBAIT SUGGESTED IT. I think this dude usually knows what he's talking about.

[Gene Buchholz]

Go with two batteries and hook them parrell. The Trojan battery is a good battery but the AC Delco Group 30m will run circles around any deep cycle marine battery on the market.
The Optima batteries are overrated and not worth the money.

The AC Delco and the Trojan are the two best batteries to choose from. Remember you get what you pay for.

Good Luck
Gene

[Marone]

Called pep boys, two batteries 99.99 each and 5.49 for the terminal hook up? they won't install em' for me but it seems like it won't be that hard. I have a Minn kota dual bank charger on the boat, one bank for the starter battery and one for the individual trolling motor. should i hook that charger up to the new trolling motor batteries i'm going to buy? Any tips so i don't short it out because it's only a 12 volt with 55 lb thrust?

[Ken C.]

Seriously, look into the AC Delco's. I've yet to hear of anyone having a problem with these and I'm almost positive they are less than the $99 price you were quoted from Pep Boys!

[BShafer]

two 6 volt golf cart batteries hooked up in series will last longer than 2 12 volts in parrell. Thats what I use on my 5th wheel for camping.

[Delaney]

Two 6 V gollf cart batteries only way to go with a 12 V system. You should get 3 trips before charging also. These batteries should last 5-6 years if you don't charge till they need it. They last longer if you don't charge them every time you go. Check with voltmeter after every trip, and if your voltage is 12.4 or so you should be good to go. I've been doing this since mid 80's and have not once been stranded with dead batteries. I go 75-80 times a year and I replaced batteries in '05. before that in '99 & '93.

[904dog]

MARONE, DON'T BE A "MORON-EE" IF GENE SAYS IT, DO IT!
(sorry I had to).
Really, all the ideas are great but, He is the trolling motor man, come on now.

[Marone]

Once again, thanks for all of the info.