Newbie batteries running down

Just last Fall I bought my 1st boat a 13ft tri haul, it has a 9.5hp outboard, 2 trolling motors, depth finder, bow and stern lights with a cig lighter wired into the stern light wire all ran by 2 deep cycling batteries. I have used the boat about every weekend since Mid March, when I get off the lake I disconnect every thing from the batteries, and hook the batts. to a trickle charger, so they are fresh for the next weekend. Well back in April one of the batteries died and I replaced it with a similar sized one, and havent had any trouble untill this week, went on a 3 day fishing trip and took my charger with me, after the first day I charged the batteries, and the next morning they gave up while on the lake. Upon getting back home I had the batteries tested and sure enough the oldest one was too far gone, so I took the battery from my camper and had it and the newer battery tested before leaving for a electric motor lake, they both checked out good. So I left for the lake on Friday, fished Friday night, charged batteries returned sat fished Sat morning, got off the lake for 6hrs and charged the batterys again, returned Sat night and the boat got about 100 yards off shore when the depth finder went dead and the rear troller slowed down!
I am starting to think one of the electric items on the boat is drawing to much current, and instead of trying a process of elimination on the lake and being without power again, I was wondering if there is a way of testing the trolling motors and depth finder? I must say I rarely night fish so, I am thinking its one of the trollers or the depth finder? HELP sorry for the long drawn out story, but history is important.:dono

Have the batteries load tested even tho they are new. Also check your charger. With it connected to one battery you should read 13-15 volts. Recharging 2 depleted batteries with a trickle charger will take several days to completely recharge.

A trickle charger isn't up to the job of charging two batteries. Get something with two banks and at least 5A per bank. 10A per bank would be better.

Well I attach the trickle charger during the week, so its on for 6 to 7 days before I use the boat again, when I plan on using the boat more frequently I use the charger on the 10 amp setting. Also I might add that both batteries took approximatly 2oz. of distilled water last weekend, and my charger has a 2,10 and 50amp setting. Thanks

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Originally Posted by Tom 513

Well I attach the trickle charger during the week, so its on for 6 to 7 days before I use the boat again, when I plan on using the boat more frequently I use the charger on the 10 amp setting. Also I might add that both batteries took approximatly 2oz. of distilled water last weekend, and my charger has a 2,10 and 50amp setting. Thanks

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2A will barely overcome the storage losses, and takes much too long to recharge. The batteries are damaged by being allowed to stay at less than a full charge for a few days, even if they are on a charger.

10A for two batteries is the minimum you should use, and even that will barely get two batteries recharged overnight.

x2 your changer is not enough to use for everyday use .

another thing to remember is when you buy a new battery bring it up to full charge before the first use. New ones may have a good charge, but hardly ever a full charge.

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Originally Posted by wannabe fisherman

another thing to remember is when you buy a new battery bring it up to full charge before the first use. New ones may have a good charge, but hardly ever a full charge.

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Very true!

Ok sounds like I need a new charger, instead on using the trickle charger thru the week. Is there a charger you guys use and would recommend? I would prefer one that shuts down when they are at full charge. I am still baffeled that both batteries took around 2 oz. on water in each cell, this leads me to believe that I was over charging them? I guess I will charge both and have them load checked and then shop for a new charger. By the way I did charge the new batt before I used it. Thanks

I use a Pro-Mariner Mini-Mite 3 bank on-board charger. Un-plug it go fishing plug in and forget it until next trip. It's a little small for someone who fishes daily and heavy as it's only 5/5/3 that's 5 amps to the trolling batteries and 3 amps to the start battery. Works great for me it's small light weight and fully automatic.

Bought a dual bank 4 amp per battery from wall mart for $109 dollars last week, had the same on there before and works great.

I thought You guy may be interested in how I ended up curing my charging problums, I spent one morning trying to locate a 2 bank marine charger that was rated for at least 5amps, ended up talking to a guy who specializes in auto electronic parts, after decribing the trouble Ive had, and knowing a 2 bank charger would set me back around $200 bucks he recommended buying another battery charger, said to disconnect the 2 then charge each one seperatly. So I bought this Marine type charger/maintainer from Walmart for $49, liked it so much I bought another, so both batterys charge at the same rate https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...49478099,d.dmg

If the batteries are hooked together to make one BIG battery they have to be of the same age and size to work properly. The weak one will pull the strong one down with it.

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Originally Posted by BlackWidow

If the batteries are hooked together to make one BIG battery they have to be of the same age and size to work properly. The weak one will pull the strong one down with it.

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Well if that the case I really dont wanna have to buy 2 batteries at once, the newest one I bought back in April I believe, and the other is off of my camper its 2011' battery and the beefiest of the 2, so do you think if I buy another identical battery as the newest one (Aprils) I would be ok?

Is your outboard electric start? I would run the outboard, depthfinder , and pumps on one and everything else on the other. If its pull start I would split the trolling motors to separate batteries.

The outboard is not electric start, its a 13ft no frills fishing boat. I have 2 trolling motors, depth finder, cig lighter and bow/stern lights when I need them. I only use one trolling motor at a a time, just wondering why running each one off a different battery would help? thanks

they have to be the exact same battery and within 6 months old.

It would help when you run one down you still have another one to go and would also help show a weak battery

I'm confused are trolling motors 12 or 24 volt?

Trolling motors can be 12, 24, 36 volts depending on thrust. Electric outboards 48 volts,

Toofuss running one at a time sounds logical, but for as much as I get my boat out I think I will take Blackwidows advise and go get a another battery to match the one I bought back in April, I will save the other for my camper although I havent camped in 2 years now!