Battery Education

[BobberStopper]

Need to get a new 12 volt battery. Have settled on AGM, but see them called Dual Purpose. Can I use a dual purpose for trolling motor or should I get one specific for trolling.

Any advice....looking at size 24 because of weight consideration.

[Cray]

Need to get a new 12 volt battery. Have settled on AGM, but see them called Dual Purpose. Can I use a dual purpose for trolling motor or should I get one specific for trolling.

Any advice....looking at size 24 because of weight consideration.

http://www.bwbmag.com/output.cfm?id=...&sectionid=308

Go to this site. on the left under articals look under technical and on second page
Fishing for the Right Battery

Should answer all your questions.

[CatFan]

Most size 24 AGMs are very small capacity. Here's a copy of a post I made in another forum talking about battery capacity versus weight:

Reserve capacity is a measure of how long a battery can run at a moderate current. Typically 25A, which is in the area of TM draw, so RC is a pretty good indicator of how much continuous run time you'll get out of a battery. It's stated in minutes, so a 120 minute RC means the battery will be shot after 2 continuous hours of TM use. 180 minutes gives you 3 hours. 205 minutes like the big Diehard, Cabela's AGM 30and Everstart Maxx 29 give you almost 3.5 hours. The king of commonly available batteries is the Trojan SC225 at 3.75 hours.

Optima 34M 120 minutes/43lb=2.8 minutes/lb
Trojan SC225 225minutes/66lbs=3.4minutes/lb
Cabela's AGM 205minutes/84lbs=2.44minutes/lb
Diehard PM-1 205 minutes/75lbs=2.73minutes/lb
Typical Grp 27 180minutes/55lbs=3.27minutes/lb

You'll notice that the AGMs have less power density than the conventional batteries.

Bottom line is if you want long run time, you need pounds.

If you are looking at the Cabela's group 24 AGM, I wouldn't believe what they say about it on the site. There is no way a 53lb AGM has 178 minute RC, and if you look at the 27, it is 9lbs heavier but has almost the same specs. 125-135 minute RC is more realistic for that battery.

[brushnjigs]

get the largest battery that will fit in your boat. Forget about the weight of it, get one that you can use all day and wont let you down. The 24 will poop out on you before lunch.

[Talon]

The Cabelas AGM batteries are nothing special. I bought a 27 series and it did not last a year. Currently running all 31 series conventionals and they have held up well. As Cat said...pounds=power.

[Crappiefever]

What about 2 6v deep cycles hooked up to give 12v's. They seem to last longer then the 12v deep cycles on the Trojan battery site from what I am reading. Has anyone ever tried this out?

[CatFan]

People use golf cart batteries like that. Very common in RVs where 12V is the only option. They are just a little more difficult to get, and I think a lot of us buy new batteries in a hurry when we find out the old ones have crapped out on us.

[JABBO]

You can't beat going to Walmart and getting a good deep cycle marine. I think they have a 2 or maybe 3 year warranty... Thats what most people down this way do. Nothing more frustrating than getting on some fish and your battery dying...

[M R Dux]

You can't beat going to Walmart and getting a good deep cycle marine. I think they have a 2 or maybe 3 year warranty... Thats what most people down this way do. Nothing more frustrating than getting on some fish and your battery dying...

Wal Mart brand has a 1 year pro-rate guarantee. I just bought a pair of Interstate 27 series for just a few $ more than Wal Mart brand and they have a 1 year replacement+ 1 Year pro-rate. I have been getting no more than 2-3 years out of the Wal mart and a buddy of mine just replaced a pair of 5 year old Interstates.

[CatFan]

Wal Mart brand has a 1 year pro-rate guarantee. I just bought a pair of Interstate 27 series for just a few $ more than Wal Mart brand and they have a 1 year replacement+ 1 Year pro-rate. I have been getting no more than 2-3 years out of the Wal mart and a buddy of mine just replaced a pair of 5 year old Interstates.

Same exact battery.