Thread: Battery question

What amp are you charging it at?

Have you checked the cells to see if it needs maintenance?

Have you checked the connections to make sure they are healthy?

Are you using a TM with 5 speeds forward or is one with percentage of thrust?

Put it on the lowest amp setting on your charger....relax for a day... pop the cover and add distilled water to the bottom of the plastic tube....fish...if it don't satisfy you add some aspirin....repeat....if it don't satisfy buy a new battery or two preferably the biggest group you can find/afford....fish for two years...repeat...

Tight lines
Chad

Sent from my SM-G975U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Originally Posted by catchNgrease

What amp are you charging it at?

Have you checked the cells to see if it needs maintenance? I have not checked the cells. Should they be full to the top?

Have you checked the connections to make sure they are healthy? The connections are healthy

Are you using a TM with 5 speeds forward or is one with percentage of thrust? Not sure what you are asking? I have the Minn Kota Endura C2 transom mount motor. I believe it has 5 speeds forward and maybe 3 reverse. It does have a low battery indicator for what that`s worth.
Put it on the lowest amp setting on your charger....relax for a day... pop the cover and add distilled water to the bottom of the plastic tube....fish...if it don't satisfy you add some aspirin....repeat....if it don't satisfy buy a new battery or two preferably the biggest group you can find/afford....fish for two years...repeat...

Tight lines
Chad

Sent from my SM-G975U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I might add that I have a small leak in the boat and I use a portable bilge pump that connects to my battery . I do not tend to use the bilge more than once per trip.

The bilge pump draws very little from the battery. Especially no more than you use it

Check the fluid levels at least once a month. If the fluid is below the tops of the plates, add enough distilled water to just cover them & then charge the battery to full charge. Then go back and finish filling the fluid levels to where they are just below the bottom of the fill tube. You really don't want the fluid to be "up in" the fill tube, as that can cause the fluid to bubble out during charging. As long as the plates are always covered by the fluid you're battery should be OK as far as that's concerned. Exposed plates will oxidize, rendering the battery less effective at charging, holding a charge, and lower the lifespan.

If your battery is 120ah or higher ... a 10a charger is the preferable choice.

I'd have the battery "Load Tested" to be sure it's still viable to continue using.

If weight is an issue & $$ is not so much an issue, you might consider a Lithium battery (& charger). If $$ is a bigger issue, then I'd stick with Lead/Acid battery and get the biggest series available in your area (29 or 31).

A 55# thrust TM can draw 52a/hr at max continuous use. (FYI)

Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

Check the fluid levels at least once a month. If the fluid is below the tops of the plates, add enough distilled water to just cover them & then charge the battery to full charge. Then go back and finish filling the fluid levels to where they are just below the bottom of the fill tube. You really don't want the fluid to be "up in" the fill tube, as that can cause the fluid to bubble out during charging. As long as the plates are always covered by the fluid you're battery should be OK as far as that's concerned. Exposed plates will oxidize, rendering the battery less effective at charging, holding a charge, and lower the lifespan.

If your battery is 120ah or higher ... a 10a charger is the preferable choice.

I'd have the battery "Load Tested" to be sure it's still viable to continue using.

If weight is an issue & $$ is not so much an issue, you might consider a Lithium battery (& charger). If $$ is a bigger issue, then I'd stick with Lead/Acid battery and get the biggest series available in your area (29 or 31).

A 55# thrust TM can draw 52a/hr at max continuous use. (FYI)

Thank you!

My Schumaker charger has 2 charge settings...3 amp and 15 amp.

I just popped the top on the battery and 2 cells needed some distilled water, one on the positive and one on the negative.

I see tons of lithium batteries on the market..What would be the best option for someone like me who trolls a lot and only powers by the trolling motor?

Originally Posted by Mrmerck

Thank you!

My Schumaker charger has 2 charge settings...3 amp and 15 amp.

I just popped the top on the battery and 2 cells needed some distilled water, one on the positive and one on the negative.
I see tons of lithium batteries on the market..What would be the best option for someone like me who trolls a lot and only powers by the trolling motor?

If the battery is 100ah or more, I'd go with the 15a setting. I'll assume it's not an automatic shutoff kinda charger, so I'd monitor it closely when it's charging.
As to the "best option" for a Lithium battery ... I wish I knew. I'm kinda looking at them myself, because I have to carry my 3 batteries from a 2nd story apt out to the truck, then load them in the boat, and do the reverse process when I get back. Two of my batteries are ~65lbs each & the other is around 40lbs. I'll defer your question on Lithium batteries to someone that has them, and I'll be watching for their replies.

Ionics....IONIC LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR BASS BOATS - Drewcraft LLC