Another Battery Issue....leaked out

[tcounty]

The only place I have to my batteries for my trolling motor isn’t level. It’s probably at 15 degree angle. I haven’t been paying too much attention, just plug up when I get home from fishing and unplug a couple days later. Well my charger had a red light on battery one. They’re a pain to get to, but I got both out. Battery one was wet on the bottom and the tray was wet. It looks to be pretty much dry inside. Battery two is fine.

Battery one is a 2016 Exide
Battery two is a 2018 Exide.

I got my current boat back in March this year. I made sure both batteries were good and full of water then because I knew it would be a pain to get to.

Question is: did it leak because of angle? Did my charger boil it dry? Do I need sealed AGM batteries?

I’ll get some water tomorrow and if it can be salvaged.

I’ll have to decide what to do Thursday because I’m fishing Saturday no matter what.




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[DockShootinJack]

AGM battery would be one solution. Room in the compartment to build a 15 degree wedge to get the batteries level?

[NIMROD]

AGM battery would be one solution. Room in the compartment to build a 15 degree wedge to get the batteries level?

I was thinking the same thing . But need to check water in batteries often . I would use a battery box if at all possible as that battery acid will eat up your boat and contents !

[stormcloud]

I have a similar situation. I have to stand the left battery on it's end, pull it out, then slide the next battery around to that position and stand it on it's end and
so on. I bought three AGM's. A little pricey but they are either good or they are bad. No maintenance. I bought two (trolling motor) with 3 year replacement
and 1 (starting) with a four year replacement. They are charged with a minn kota 330 D. I leave them on charge except when the boat is being fished out of.

[artcarney_agr]

With that angle, you run a higher chance of exposing the plates, especially if the angle is even worse when the boat is in the water. You really should try to shim it up level, maybe cut a board or two and install them appropriately.

If the plates were exposed or dry, then it's probably toast.

4 years on a battery isn't too terrible. I buy the Walmart ones and average 4 or 5 years with heavy use before they start getting weak, which is pretty good considering 5 years equates to a cost of about $20 a year for a $100 battery.

Do you put the batteries on charge just as soon as you get home from fishing? Being a stickler about doing that really helps them last longer. You said you got the boat in March, so I suppose you don't know the history of the batteries and/or charging habits of the previous owner...if I had to guess the batteries probably weren't maintained too well, they might not have been prepared properly for the winter. With too many unknowns, I would just replace the bad one and move on rather than worry much about it.

What about the charger? How old is it? Do you trust it?

[tcounty]

New boat

Batteries were mine. The bad one was bought in 16. Put in charge as soon as I get home.

Charger was bought this spring.

Wedges aren’t going to be an option. Batteries are under the front deck and I only have 3/4” between post and deck.




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[slowhand]

AGM


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[tcounty]

I ordered 2 Duracell AGM from Batteries Plus. Pick them up tomorrow.


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[DockShootinJack]

That should fix your problem nicely

[skunked again]

tcounty - which ones did you get? Ill be in the market for new trolling batteries soon. Trying to decide if AGM is worth the extra, mainly for longevity (years).