Trolling battery?

[brettw]

If TM is out of the equation, then you need more battery.
Best option, 2 gruop 31s.
Good option, 2 group 29s.
Okay option, 2 group 27s.
1/2 day options is 1 group 31 battery.

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By 1/2 day you think it would last 4 hours?


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[trypman1]

I use 2 - 29's on my Aluma Craft comp. boat I have never pulled them down on a fairly quiet day 5-12mph. heavy winds about 6.5hrs.

[Hanr3]

By 1/2 day you think it would last 4 hours?
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Yes, a group 31 should last half a day (4 hours). All depends on wind and boat weight.
Do some research on battery amp hours. It's a simple calculation once you understand the numbers and where they come from.
Some Trolling motors use 100% power all the time, even when they aren't turning the prop that fast. Some draw power based on motor (prop) speed. You need to figure out which TM you have.

You also need to understand the definition of a "dead" battery. Once a battery gets below X volts, the more you draw power the harder and longer it takes to recover, if it can recover. Every time you go below x, you shorten the life of the battery. Deep cycles recover better than starting batteries.

There are a lot of variables on batteries and longevity. Electrical engineers dedicate there entire careers to batteries. This can be very complicated. However there are some "general" guidelines that prove out fairly well.

2 batteries are better than 1. Regardless if you have a 12volt, 24volt system.

Larger group size batteries last longer, have more amp hours available. And will recover better and last longer than smaller group size batteries.

Can it be done on one trolling motor battery, absolutely. However you need to understand the variables and monitor your batteries charge level while on the water. Testers are in-expensive and portable. Some trolling motors come with them installed. You can also buy a gage/tester to mount in the boat, push a button and it can display the current state.
Also remember, wind plays a huge role in battery longevity on the water. Don't expect to get the same longevity on windy days as you do on calm days.

I had a 12v 55pound trust trolling motor on a 14' aluminum boat and could last all day for my style of fishing. The boat was small, 4' wide at the gunnel. I could literally put both hands in the water on opposite sides of the boat at the same time. I stepped up to a 16' deep v with a 12v 55pd thrust and barely made it till lunch. Then I bought a 24v 80 pound TM with spotlock and navigation. I dropped in two group 31's and can troll all day in 20mph winds. It isn't fun, but I can do it. Did just that during one tournament, 6 hours of non-stop 20mph winds. I trolled around the lake, then found a brushpile that was stacked in the middle of the lake. The lake bottom had a sharp drop off and the fish were stacked on the downwind side. I spot locked over that brushpile for 2 hours and fished. I was bobbing like a cork in 3' swells. But still had plenty of battery at the end of the day.

The safe reply, is two batteries. But you can do one battery if you configure the TM and battery system as a team and then monitor its performance. The last key of the puzzle is a battery charger. You want something that will charge in three stages, and has electronics to monitor the battery state before, during, and after charging.

[Crestliner08]

We're side pulling a 16' Tracker (an older heavier Panfish Tracker) for about 4 hrs, using a single Series 24 Interstate deep cycle battery. Powering a 40# thrust MK motor. It'd probably do 5 hrs. if we wanted with no problem. Even though the motor charge indicator shows low, this "Timex" just keeps on ticking! We make sure the battery is recharged at the end of each trip however. You've got to recharge as soon as possible after draining a deep cycle battery.

If I were pushing a heavier boat for longer periods, I'd probably look at a Series 27. JMO.

[Cray]

Brett, what kind of trolling motor you running. If your running a 5 speed motor with out maximizer your going to need 2 group 31's to get any reasonable time out of them pulling cranks at that speed. Most everyone's statements are based on maximizer motors which are way more efficient.

[skeetbum]

I'm another vote for the 2 batteries parrallel for the 12 volt system, the biggest you can fit. Better suited to what you're doing is the 24 volt system and you'll never need to upgrade again. The initial cost was tough for me too. 6 years ago. And short of just wearing out a set of batteries I've never had to do anything but use it. I bought a pro mite series charger from BPS and just upgraded this time to 2 - 29 series batteries from Wally for just under $200, and never wear em down in 6 hours plus of pulling a heavy bass boat around. Do it once, do it right, and you'll not regret it.

["G"]

You can get Group 31 Deepcycle.. Duracells at Sam's Club for 90 bucks ea.

[brettw]

Brett, what kind of trolling motor you running. If your running a 5 speed motor with out maximizer your going to need 2 group 31's to get any reasonable time out of them pulling cranks at that speed. Most everyone's statements are based on maximizer motors which are way more efficient.

It’s a Motor Guide Xi5, I assume since I paid Max price, it has a Maximizer!

Thanks


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[Erin Brewer]

I have a terrova 55lb 12v on my 175 tracker.... I am running 3 group 27's and have yet to pull them down this year... I was runnin no two and getting 5-6 hours out of them.... added the third and have not had a problem yet! I also moved mine up front and it makes a tracker boat fish so much better!


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[brettw]

I have a terrova 55lb 12v on my 175 tracker.... I am running 3 group 27's and have yet to pull them down this year... I was runnin no two and getting 5-6 hours out of them.... added the third and have not had a problem yet! I also moved mine up front and it makes a tracker boat fish so much better!


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You moved all 3 up front?

Thanks


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