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Hmmm...Check your water. The idea of the small extension cord is a good thought too. Do you have a voltage meter? If so, after 1 hour off the charger, bump the trolling motor on for 5 seconds then check voltage on each battery individually and let me know what it reads. I'm guessing the battery that came with the boat, even though it looked new, wasn't or it wasn't treated properly by the previous owner. If I'm right, the bad battery is pulling amperage from the good battery and robbing you of power. Also, what gauge did you use on the jumper? Doubt that's an issue from your symptoms though.
Wannabe...
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Thanks Crappiholic... If I have to buy more I will look at those... If the new battery is bad I am going to exchange that sucker or get some money back. It was $100.
I meant to mention earlier that I don't use an extension cord. I plug my portable charger straight to the wall. So that rules that one out...
Yeah I got a voltage meter. I will give that a try and see what it says. I used a 6 gauge marine grade jumper from academy. It was fine strand and tin coated copper wire. Also I ran 6 gauge marine grade wire from back of boat to trolling motor.
The reason I was convinced the battery was new... was because the guy that sold me the boat owned a car dealership and had several pallets of interstate batteries at his shop. He said he just put two brand new ones from the shop in the boat... Made perfect since to me especially since they didn't have a speck of dirt on em...
Only thing I could think of is that i charged them on 2 amps the last two times.... and before I charged them on 6 amps... Could that make a difference?
DoubleG
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Wannabe... Was you able to mount an on board charger on your G3 boat that you owned? There is some room over the gas tank but that would be a hard place to mount it... Or maybe on the lid on the back...
DoubleG
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I say you got one bad battry. How old is the one you replaced? Nevermind that, just go buy you 2 new 29's or better and be done wif it. Make sure they'll fit before you buy em tho or youre gonna be whizzed on when you get home. Also, buy you that 3 bank charger you've always wanted and mount it to the underside of the storage compartment lid. Seent it done and it werks fine.
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I had a 2 bank mounted on the transom between the transom braces and screwed into the transom. I used a portable Minn Kota to top off my cranking battery. If it turns out that you have to get new batteries, go ahead and step up to 29s while you're at it. 31s would be better, but you'll need a sawzall and the jaws of life to get 'em in the G3.
I'm really thinking you've got one weak battery or that 2 amp charge is not bringing them to full state or your charger is toast.
I wouldn't be scared to buy a used, quality charger if you're on a budget.
Wannabe...
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Thanks fellas.. I got a bday coming up and now got a couple things on the list. I charged the batteries this time at 6 amp. We will see how they do Saturday. Gonna get them both tested also and see what the deal is... Overwise replace with 29s and upgrade to on board charger I been wanting.
Doubleg
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Zack, the on-board charger will be one of the best investments you'll ever make on your boat, and, it's not written in stone that it has to be hidden, as you can see on my boat. It's exposed but not in the way.
http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/y...r/DSC01408.jpg
I run two gp 31 Exides and get 7hrs pulling cranks easy with the 24v terrova.
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Maj's charger is definitely not in the way. I have fished out of it and it fishes just FINE!
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Good idea Major... I am going to do some measuring on the boat tonight and look for alternative spots to put the on board charger... Thanks!
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Well I ran some test last night on the batteries Wannabe. First I measured the voltage.
New battery = 12.98 volts
Older Battery = 12.78 volts
Then I ran the trolling motor for a few minutes and checked the batteries immediately after running it
New battery = 12.76
Older battery = 12.63
I ran the trolling motor again and check the batteries while the trolling motor was going
New battery = 12.76
Older battery = 12.58
Then after I stopped the trolling motor I checked them one last time
New battery = 12.81
Older battery = 12.61
It seems that there is a consistant difference of around 0.20 volts. Which in my opinion is not very much. I don't have much to compare to though. What are your thoughts? Maybe charging them a 6 amps got them back up to speed... Who knows.. We will see Saturday.
DoubleG
