anyboby running a terranova 55 ipilot

I have a Bass Tracker Pro Crappie 175 and I'm ready to step up to the I-pilot. I know that a 24v/80lb motor would be better but is it "necessary" to long line troll with a boat this size. I trolled for years in a 1648 jon with a hand 55lb troller and 1 battery and never had a problem, but this boat is quiet a bit heavier.

I don't mind buying a 24v system, if it is gonna be necessary most of the time....... not just on them 30mph wind days. I'll be in the house then. lol

I fish with my boys a lot so a long trip for us would be 6-7 hrs. tops


Any real world experiences with this motor in a boat this size?????

Thanks

I run one on a 17.9 Wareagle stick steer. In run 2 group 27 battery's on it. I mostly spider rig but do a little long lining and pull cranks. Pulling cranks at 1.5-1.7 on a pretty breeze day I can get about 5 hrs. I have done .7-.8 for 6/7 hrs with no problem. I love the motor. Group 31 battery's would get you more time. If it was me and I did more long lining and crank pulling with trolling motor I would go with the 24. Lower settings to get same speed equals longer battery life equals longer time fishing. So little cost difference between the two since I'm talking 2 battery's anyway I think you would be happier in the long run.

Since you would need 2 batteries to get 6-7 hours trolling with the 55 you might as well go with the 80. Besides it wouldn't hurt to have that extra power if you ever needed it to get the boat out of the way of an idiot speeding towards you and not paying attention or any other danger that may come up..

what Barnacle Bill said, I had a 55AP on my 17'glass boat and even a little wind would put the brakes on went to an 80# Maxxum and wind is no problem.

I have one on my boat . My boat is a 175 lowe stinger it pulls it fine .I have had mine for over a year and not run out of battery yet.you probably can't pull cranks all day but it's fine for anything else. And I love it .

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Originally Posted by lowe175

I have one on my boat . My boat is a 175 lowe stinger it pulls it fine .I have had mine for over a year and not run out of battery yet.you probably can't pull cranks all day but it's fine for anything else. And I love it .

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How many batteries do you have to run?

I just have one battery and I have never run it down. I have long lined all morning and never ran out of battery. I do have good name brand batterys that might be the difference. It will only get up to 2.5 so pulling cranks may not last long. Never had a problem with anything else even on windy days

I have one on 16' fiberglass I run 2 group 27. I have pulled cranks for over 8 hours and still have power to spare.Most of the time I cruise at 1.3-1.9 mph with cranks so if you long line at slower speed it should extend trolling time. If trolling in high wind... say above 15 mph it will drain battery quicker. :hesaid LOVE IT:twocents

I have the 55 on my 18-1/2ft multi species boat and use 2 batteries and run all day and still have plenty of battery left. I have never run out of power. EB

I have a Tracker PT175 with a Terrova 55/IP combo, only 1 group 27 batt, and I can longline for 5-7hr, and have 2/3's-3/4 charge left based on the battery status indicator on the TM. Pulling cranks on this set up will drain the battery in a 2-3 hrs, if you double up on the batteries, rumor has it both batteries need to be identical in age and condition or you end up with problems.

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Originally Posted by jimp

I have a Tracker PT175 with a Terrova 55/IP combo, only 1 group 27 batt, and I can longline for 5-7hr, and have 2/3's-3/4 charge left based on the battery status indicator on the TM. Pulling cranks on this set up will drain the battery in a 2-3 hrs, if you double up on the batteries, rumor has it both batteries need to be identical in age and condition or you end up with problems.

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Actually that is fact, not rumor. If one battery is older and not as strong or maybe a lower amp hour type, they will not discharge proportionally as you run and you end up with one being completely discharged and the other maybe only 50% discharged. If you have a dual bank charger hooked up it will affect how it charges also, even though it will eventually bring them both up to full charge.
Ideally they should both be the same age and same size.
I got this from several DC power seminars I attended while traveling in my motorhome. I was running two batteries in parallel to power all the stuff in the coach. Had a separate starting motor for the engine, similar to how boats are set up.

I have it on a tracker pro team 170tx and get 6 or 7 hours out of my battery and carry a spare battery if I plan on going longer than that, but usually troll for 5 hours and go home. It will drain faster if it's really windy, so I'll just hook up to second battery if that happens, but rarely have to.

Thanks for all the replys. This has been very helpful.

For you guys that have or know about Bass Trackers, if I decide to go with the 24v, my boat has 8 ga wire. This should work, right??? Also, I haven't looked yet, but is there a seperate wire to the front of the boat to get 12v to power a graph. My boat has a trim/tilt switch for the big motor located up front but I don't know if they pulled power from TM wires (which would become 24v if I go that route.) Just wondering if I will need to pull another wire and what do you typically do, pull 12v from starter battery. I don't want 4 batteries.
I will look at it when I get home. Thanks

Don't know about the seperate wire to front for finder. If it was me I would pull a seperate set of wires for finder off cranking battery. Trim and tilt should run from front switch back and tie into wiring off switch in throttle control. 8 gauge will work but most recommend 6. Don't know about your boat but a friend of mine has a latter model tracker pro crappie, not enough room in back for a third battery. Removed front deck and installed both batteries in rear center of front storage compartment. Moved weight forward, shorter run of wiring to troller and still left plenty of storage space.

I was in the same situation a few months ago trying to make a decision. I have a Tracker PT175 and decided to go with the 80#/24v Terrova and have not regreted it. With new Everstart 29's I recently trolled crank baits 10 hrs and the meter showed half battery life at the end of the day. I think the Terrova website showed 8g was sufficient for the length I needed, but went with 6g and a 60amp breaker just to be sure. Also installed a Humminbird depth finder up front and was prepared to tap into the trim/tilt wire, but found there was already a wire under the deck for the DF. We trolled last summer with the 46#/12v motorguide that came with the boat and had a spare battery. What I like about the 24v by comparison, other than not having to switch batteries, is that there is no power loss. Can run the same settings at the end of the day as at the beginning. Also can troll upwind and maintain speed. Bottom line, I have never heard anyone say "I sure wish I had less power and run time"

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Originally Posted by Brushwacker

I was in the same situation a few months ago trying to make a decision. I have a Tracker PT175 and decided to go with the 80#/24v Terrova and have not regreted it. With new Everstart 29's I recently trolled crank baits 10 hrs and the meter showed half battery life at the end of the day. I think the Terrova website showed 8g was sufficient for the length I needed, but went with 6g and a 60amp breaker just to be sure. Also installed a Humminbird depth finder up front and was prepared to tap into the trim/tilt wire, but found there was already a wire under the deck for the DF. We trolled last summer with the 46#/12v motorguide that came with the boat and had a spare battery. What I like about the 24v by comparison, other than not having to switch batteries, is that there is no power loss. Can run the same settings at the end of the day as at the beginning. Also can troll upwind and maintain speed. Bottom line, I have never heard anyone say "I sure wish I had less power and run time"

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Bushwacker, Did you hook DF to cranking battery or do you have 4 batteries?

I'm really leaning towards the 24v but, my only reservation is my boat has a 75 optimax so it already sits in the water like its got a load of firewood in back. lol
Gonna look into the idea Cray suggested about putting the batteries up front if I can find room.

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Originally Posted by nixon

Bushwacker, Did you hook DF to cranking battery or do you have 4 batteries?

I'm really leaning towards the 24v but, my only reservation is my boat has a 75 optimax so it already sits in the water like its got a load of firewood in back. lol
Gonna look into the idea Cray suggested about putting the batteries up front if I can find room.

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you will not regret doing this if possible , the boat will set in the water better and fish better in rough waters and windy days !!!!and use 6 gauge if possible !!!!

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Originally Posted by strmwalker

you will not regret doing this if possible , the boat will set in the water better and fish better in rough waters and windy days !!!!and use 6 gauge if possible !!!!

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:hesaid:hesaid. X2

The DF is wired to the cranking battery. Then two group 29 batteries up front for the 24v Terrova. Use 6g wire and 60 amp breaker and you never have to worry about it again. It is a short run of wire from the front storage compartment to the trolling motor. I used a plug and receptacle rather than hard wire it in to the battery. If you use 6g wire and the Minnkota plug, you will need an adaptor. I agree with strmwalker that I like the way the boat rides with the two batteries in front. Each is listed at 65lbs and the 130lbs balances my boat about right.

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Originally Posted by Brushwacker

The DF is wired to the cranking battery. Then two group 29 batteries up front for the 24v Terrova. Use 6g wire and 60 amp breaker and you never have to worry about it again. It is a short run of wire from the front storage compartment to the trolling motor. I used a plug and receptacle rather than hard wire it in to the battery. If you use 6g wire and the Minnkota plug, you will need an adaptor. I agree with strmwalker that I like the way the boat rides with the two batteries in front. Each is listed at 65lbs and the 130lbs balances my boat about right.

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Could you post a picture of how you have the front batteries mounted? Thanks.

I'm having trouble with the pictures, but it is a pretty simple install. I cut a piece of plywood as a floor to better distribute the weight in the compartment. Then the wires go out the slot in the top of the front wall of the storage box under the deck. Wrapped the wires in plastic conduit for protection and put a piece of pipe insulation on the edge of the box opening also for protection. Be sure and use rubber boots on the terminal posts because they are very close to the storage box lid. I will try to get a couple of pictures posted.

I'm installing the Terrova 112 lb thrust. You can run the 6 gauge, it sure won't hurt but I don't think you need it for 24 volts. I think 8 is plenty. They recommend 8 for mine on a 36 volt. The trolling motor wiring is 10. My run from the console will be roughly 10 feet to the plug. Which is another thing to think about. With 6 volt wire, if you're going to a plug, you have to have an extra adapter. What I have heard is the adapter wants to work loose and causes problems. Just something to consider. I am setting my trolling motor up on its own circuit with a master disconnect and 60 amp breaker. My motor and other electronics are separate. You can also get an onboard charger, alternator fed, but unless you plan on longer than normal trips it shouldn't be necessary. I'd just get a 2 bank charger you can hook up. One other thing, your run time has a lot to do with the reserve amp rating on your batteries. Mine have 210 reserve amps each, but I also use my boat offshore where the demand may be more to hold me in position with waves and current, the reason for the 112 lbs. of thrust.

Use 6 AWG wire. The 24v 80# actually pulls more amperage at WOT than the 36v 101# due to the lower voltage.

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Originally Posted by Brushwacker

I'm having trouble with the pictures, but it is a pretty simple install. I cut a piece of plywood as a floor to better distribute the weight in the compartment. Then the wires go out the slot in the top of the front wall of the storage box under the deck. Wrapped the wires in plastic conduit for protection and put a piece of pipe insulation on the edge of the box opening also for protection. Be sure and use rubber boots on the terminal posts because they are very close to the storage box lid. I will try to get a couple of pictures posted.

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Brushwacker,
My boat is an 06 and I measured my front storage box this weekend. I have just over 8" in the clear height wise. How much room did you have.
My current battery is too tall to fit in there. Now, if I can find batterys that will fall below this height, I think this is the route I will go.

Anyone know if they make batterys that are shorter than 8"? I've got to research this.

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Originally Posted by nixon

Brushwacker,
My boat is an 06 and I measured my front storage box this weekend. I have just over 8" in the clear height wise. How much room did you have.
My current battery is too tall to fit in there. Now, if I can find batterys that will fall below this height, I think this is the route I will go.

Anyone know if they make batterys that are shorter than 8"? I've got to research this.

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Check out some of the deep cycle tractor batteries. They have a pretty low profile, but they are longer.
it looks like the fleet batteries are 10". Though there are some around 9" and a reconditioned at 8". So the answer to your question is, yes, they are made and should be easy enough to locate.
List: Search for 'deep cycle & marine batteries' | O'Reilly Auto Parts

I'm not at home to measure, but the Wal Mart website shows 10" to the top of the terminals on the Everstart group 29's.
EverStart Maxx Group Size 29 Marine Battery: Auto Parts : Walmart.com
I had enough space to put some thin (3/8" ?) plywood underneath. These are a couple of pictures. It is a close fit from top to bottom. My boat is a 2005 so there may be some differences in year models. Lots of room front to back to manuver and get them in place.
Attachment 174831Attachment 174832

12 V 245 AH T8D-AGM

Price is a back breaker though. Holy cow.:banghead It is an 8" though.

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Originally Posted by rr4611

12 V 245 AH T8D-AGM

Price is a back breaker though. Holy cow.:banghead It is an 8" though.

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At that price there is no way!

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Originally Posted by Brushwacker

I'm not at home to measure, but the Wal Mart website shows 10" to the top of the terminals on the Everstart group 29's.
EverStart Maxx Group Size 29 Marine Battery: Auto Parts : Walmart.com
I had enough space to put some thin (3/8" ?) plywood underneath. These are a couple of pictures. It is a close fit from top to bottom. My boat is a 2005 so there may be some differences in year models. Lots of room front to back to manuver and get them in place.
Attachment 174831Attachment 174832

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My 2014 model has a completely different front storage compartment, but should still have enough width and depth for two batteries side by side.

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Originally Posted by SeaRay

Actually that is fact, not rumor. If one battery is older and not as strong or maybe a lower amp hour type, they will not discharge proportionally as you run and you end up with one being completely discharged and the other maybe only 50% discharged. If you have a dual bank charger hooked up it will affect how it charges also, even though it will eventually bring them both up to full charge.
Ideally they should both be the same age and same size.
I got this from several DC power seminars I attended while traveling in my motorhome. I was running two batteries in parallel to power all the stuff in the coach. Had a separate starting motor for the engine, similar to how boats are set up.

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I have the same boat as JIMP and plan on upgrading to the Terrova with I Pilot soon, I would prefer to use the 12v model and run 2 batteries in Parallel, My question is would I have to replace the current on board charger that came with the Tracker?

OK, I found a Diehard Marine/ RV deep cycle battery on their website that is only 6" tall. Group size 29MH? I think. Model number 27582. Says it has 675 CCA but is great for trolling motors. This is confusing to me. Is this some kind of dual purpose battery and does anyone have any experience with it.

Brushwacker, My boat is a Pro Crappie model and the deck is dropped more than yours. I like the way you did yours and I'm not ready to give up yet, but I just don't have the height that you do in your box.

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Originally Posted by Tom 513

I have the same boat as JIMP and plan on upgrading to the Terrova with I Pilot soon, I would prefer to use the 12v model and run 2 batteries in Parallel, My question is would I have to replace the current on board charger that came with the Tracker?

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Tom, sent you a PM

OK, after all the ciphering and what not, I finally pulled the trigger. I got the 24v 80 lb terrova Ipilot with detachable base. Remember I wanted to move the batteries to the front of the boat, but since my boat is the Pro Crappie model with the lower deck they would not fit in the front storage box as was suggested by someone else. I ended up getting two group 31 Exide AGM deep cycle batteries and mounted them on their side just behind the front deck. Then I extended the deck back over them and boxed it in. Cut a door in the top, hinged it with stainless piano hinge and I'm almost done with the carpet. Box looks factory, carpet not so much. It's hard to match 8 year old tracker carpet.
Doing it this way allowed me to make my deck almost 1' longer and gave me enough room to mount circuit breaker and on board charger inside the box. More importantly, it should shift the weight forward which this boat desperately needed.
By the way, I had to pull front bait well and front deck and trim to get new 6 ga wires to front of boat.
All and all, I'm happy with the way its turning out. Should be done by this weekend.
Thanks to Brian at BBG, that's where I got most of my gear.