I hope I didn't...

I hope I didn't mess up my 2 trolling batteries. I have been charging them with a portable battery charger from Walmart that charges at 2, 4 or 6 amps. It is suppose to quit charging them when they are full. The first two trips I got about 6 hours of life out of the Terrova with I-pilot... The last two trips I am only getting 2 hours of life. Guess it is time to either get a Minn Kota portable charger or an on board charger if I have room to mount it somewhere.... Any ideas what could have happened? Could the charger be charging them too long? Should I check the water in them or anything? Man I hope this don't cost me two new batteries....

DoubleG

Sounds like either the charger aint no good or the batteries done went bad. Prolly too late to check the water. And dont skimp and try to buy one battery and put with one old battery. It wont work fer long.

Go to Ryan's Supply and buy 2 Delco Voygers (29) and then go to BPS and buy you a 3 bank (10 amp) Minn Kota on-board charger. You save time, money and batteries for a while.

How much on the 2 Delcos and Ryans Crappiholic. I's got to get some batteries

One thing to check is your extension cord if you use one. I was having a problem of not enough amperage to my charger because of too small of an extention cord. I've got a 3-bank Pro Charger now and love it.

On boards are the only way to charge!

Delco's are around $100.00 each. Well worth the price. I ran 3 for 3 years and should have kept them. Nothing wrong, I just like to change them out every 3 years.

The main thing about the life of a battery is to keep it fully charged. Don't go fishing today and plug up the charger Friday for a Saturday fishing trip. That's why I plug mine as soon as I get home or to the motel. A good on-board charger is also a must. I prefer Minn Kota because they are built by Minn Kota and reasonably priced. The 3 bank 10 amp is my choice.

Well I charged them every time I get home. I have to charge them one at a time with the charger I have. One of the batteries is only about 2 months old. The other one came with the boat but he said they were brand new and it looked brand new. They are both Interstate Marine Trolling batteries 27. They are the exact same battery. Maybe the other one was older than I thought... but it worked like a charm for the first 3-4 trips to the water. The last two trips I have only gotten 2 hours of trolling.

I really want to upgrade to a 3 bank 10 amp per bank Minn Kota.... but getting that into the back of a G3 boat is going to be tough. I can barely fit a quart of oil back there... Take a look:
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/2125de25.jpg

24's and 27's are mainly a cranking battery. 29's, 30's and 31's are your best bet for trolling batteries. Delco made a 31 several years ago for police crusiers and I lucked up on 3 but they are hard to find. Make sure you buy maintenance free (no water) battries.