Question for the guys using a trolling motor to pull cranks

Hello everyone! Last year around this time I went out and bought one of these new fancy trolling motors. I got a Minn Kota Terrova 24 volt. I love this thing!!!!! It makes pulling cranks so much easier with the auto pilot and cruise control! I never got to test out my batteries last year. I went down to Sardis yesterday and pulled some cranks. After three and a half hours my batteries were done and I had to use the big motor. Trying to run the big motor and real a fish in is a pain in the neck! I'm wondering what kind of batteries do yall use and how long do they last? Are there any batteries out there that could last me 6 to 7 hours continuous use?

I run two 24 volt setups in my boat.But what I really like to do is run my big motor.with a trolling plate and steer with trolling motor remote

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Hey buddy, welcome back. What size batteries are you running? How old are they? My 24 volt Terrova on my G3 would last about 4-5 hours pulling cranks. I had group 29's in it.

I run two group 31s......batteries must be same age....brand....size and type if not your best battery will be pulled down to the weaker ones level. Mine will run a full 8 hrs pulling cranks with some to spare.

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What brand group 31 do you run? I've been running a couple group 29 and they are at their end of life, I still get 4 - 5 hours running 1.6 to 2 mph on and average wind day, a little more if I keep running with the wind. I have been looking around for options to buy new. A buddy has two 24 volt banks in his boat of the deep cycle Walmart brand, ($100 each) One bank is in front and the other is in the back, he has a switch to change banks. He says the two group 29's I have weigh about as much as the 4 batteries he has, he gets a good 8 to 10 hours out of his (he says) and spent less than a couple group 31 interstates. I've read a bunch of reviews at the end of the day your more confused that before you read them. Didn't mean to hijack your thread...

Ray

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Originally Posted by Speck

Hey buddy, welcome back. What size batteries are you running? How old are they? My 24 volt Terrova on my G3 would last about 4-5 hours pulling cranks. I had group 29's in it.

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What's up Chris??? I was thinking about you yesterday when I was out on the lake. Thanks man I've been fishing still just haven't been on the forum much. I will have to look at what size they are. I got them both at the same time last year from batteries plus. They are a medium size battery. I looked lastnight and they show to last 220 minutes at there max output. At the time I got them I wasn't thinking about how long they would last. They are good batteries, but I think I need some better than these. Lol! I believe they are a batteries plus name brand not group.

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Originally Posted by "G"

I run two group 31s......batteries must be same age....brand....size and type if not your best battery will be pulled down to the weaker ones level. Mine will run a full 8 hrs pulling cranks with some to spare.

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Now that's the kind of batteries I need!!! What thrust is your trolling motor? Are they just called group 31 or is there more to the name?

My Terovva is a 80 lb. thrust....My batteries are Interstate Deep Cycle Group 31's.... If you go to 31's you might have to change out your battery trays for bigger ones. Some of the guys are useing golf cart batteries for even more run time....they are several inches taller so they will not fit just anywhere.

31s wouldn't fit in mine so I have 29s. Course I have 3 so I can still pull for 6-8 hours at 1.3-1.6

Batteries are sized by group. 31's are the biggest deep cycle battery then you go up to golf cart batteries. Some boats come with group 27's which are fine for some situations but pulling cranks require quite a bit of reserve capacity. The larger the group, the more reserve capacity they have. 27's are a little light for that. 29's are adequate and 31's are better. Golf cart batteries are the best if you have the room in your boat and pocket book. Lol

Trojans golf cart group 31s. If you have the money go straight to them. If not get what you can. Started with 27, then 29, then 31, then the golf cart 31s. Have to get 31 trays for them. You can notch out one side of a 29 tray and make it work but make sure batt are strapped secured. They are taller so measure first. Fish with what you can and just learn how to eliminate water and max your batt time. Good luck. Cranking is two things. One addictive and two cash consuming. Lol

3 Trojan 1275 golf cart batteries for my Rip Tide ST 112. I've had several folks ask how long they will run. I have no idea--I haven't ran them down yet in up to 8 hours of pulling cranks.

Were did you pick up the Trojans in your area,did you have to go to mphs .


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Originally Posted by savannah area

Were did you pick up the Trojans in your area,did you have to go to mphs .


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Cunningham Golf Carts in Calvert City,KY. They are available at most golf cart places in my area. Cunningham had the best prices also.

Not to hijack this thread but are you guys paying $300 plus for just one battery ? Was wanting to upgrade my batteries and just checked on line for them.
Here's the link..Trojan T31-GEL Deep Cycle Battery from Battery Town

A local Golf cart dealer here quoted me $190 each for the Trojan T 1275, it has 150 AH and is good for 300 plus charges from fully discharged. The dealer told me his cart guys get 3 to 5 years out of the battery depending on how well they keep if charged, if I got 3 years out of the battery that would be an annual cost of $93 (both), if I got 5 years annual cost would be $56, either way that's not bad to great. I'm getting mine tomorrow :)

Thanks for all the feed back,

Ray

If you can find them, the U.S. Battery 12v golf cart batteries have more reserve amp hours than anything out there. 292 ah @ 25% power. They rate the reserve amp hours of all batteries at 25% of max output.

Do you know what model is for the US battery your talking about, I have a dealer 30 minutes away from me.

Ray

I can take a pic of mine in the morning, I pulled a 19 foot stratos "HEAVY LOADED" for 8 hours solid and was still going strong when number 30 went in the box. They weigh 90 pounds each and you have to secure them well and tend to em but they will flat pull!!!!

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Originally Posted by Rees Guide

I can take a pic of mine in the morning, I pulled a 19 foot stratos "HEAVY LOADED" for 8 hours solid and was still going strong when number 30 went in the box. They weigh 90 pounds each and you have to secure them well and tend to em but they will flat pull!!!!

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Called the US Battery dealer in Nashville, he knew the exact battery I was looking for from telling him 292 hr@25. It's US Batteries top of the line deep cycle marine. $171.50 plus tax and core. Wow and it's made in USA, I'm picking up tomorrow:)

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Originally Posted by rayzor65

Called the US Battery dealer in Nashville, he knew the exact battery I was looking for from telling him 292 hr@25. It's US Batteries top of the line deep cycle marine. $171.50 plus tax and core. Wow and it's made in USA, I'm picking up tomorrow:)

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Cool, they are good

I use two Exide 29's on my Terrova 80, They run 8/10 hrs .

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Originally Posted by rayzor65

Called the US Battery dealer in Nashville, he knew the exact battery I was looking for from telling him 292 hr@25. It's US Batteries top of the line deep cycle marine. $171.50 plus tax and core. Wow and it's made in USA, I'm picking up tomorrow:)

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Sounds like a good deal, I switched to golf cart batteries and have been very happy with them. I bought trojan batteries for about 175 each in little rock. You may want to get dimensions on them first to be sure they will fit were you're putting them. Mine are in a Stratos boat and because they are taller, they just BARELY fit. It was a major ordeal to get them in but I'm happy with them.

How many hours does it take to charge the golf cart battery compare to the 29 or 31,how many amps is the charger,if you fish two days back to back?can they be charge back up to 100% overnight.


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Just bought 3 group 31 deep cycle batteries at Oreillys for 95 bucks each. Dont know anything about them, just gonna try them for that price.

It would depend on how many percent you discharged the battery and on how many amps your charger puts out that you re-charge it with.

Interesting!!! Good thread! thanks!

QUOTE=Rees Guide;3228946]I can take a pic of mine in the morning, I pulled a 19 foot stratos "HEAVY LOADED" for 8 hours solid and was still going strong when number 30 went in the box. They weigh 90 pounds each and you have to secure them well and tend to em but they will flat pull!!!![/QUOTE]



Sure, but it only takes you a half hour or so to get number 30.

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Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd

QUOTE=Rees Guide;3228946]I can take a pic of mine in the morning, I pulled a 19 foot stratos "HEAVY LOADED" for 8 hours solid and was still going strong when number 30 went in the box. They weigh 90 pounds each and you have to secure them well and tend to em but they will flat pull!!!!

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Sure, but it only takes you a half hour or so to get number 30.[/QUOTE]

Not Thursday, took 8 hours but I was determined and pulled it off.

Thanks for all the comments everyone! Golf cart batteries???? This is getting serious! Lol! I was able to take a picture of the batteries I'm using. By looking at the parts number they show to be group 31 batteries, but they only last 3 and a half hours. Are these weaker batteries or should I check my water level?

Attachment 240366

You definately need to keep a check on water level

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Originally Posted by "G"

You definately need to keep a check on water level

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Will I see a difference if the water level is low? Ive also heard that if the water gets low it can cause a cell to go out.

What the water is for...Batterys are filled with acid to cover the plates.....then some water is put in on top of the acid...reason...the water will evaperate instead of the acid....thats why it should be checked regularly....every three months. If not after the water is all lost to evaperation then you start losing acid....if you have to add large amount of water....or if its so low the tops of the plates are exposed...you have lost some acid.....so now when you fill it up to the ring you have diluted the remaining acid and made your battery weaker.....the weaker battery will not last as long. Yes...it can make a cell go out...and can make the battery go bad. Also....Deep cycle batterys need to really be charged back within 24 hr. of use...not the night before you go fishing again. This is why having a good onboard charger with a bank for each battery is so important. You plug in when you get home from fishing and dont unplug untill you go again.....really adds to the life of the battery.

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Originally Posted by "G"

What the water is for...Batterys are filled with acid to cover the plates.....then some water is put in on top of the acid...reason...the water will evaperate instead of the acid....thats why it should be checked regularly....every three months. If not after the water is all lost to evaperation then you start losing acid....if you have to add large amount of water....or if its so low the tops of the plates are exposed...you have lost some acid.....so now when you fill it up to the ring you have diluted the remaining acid and made your battery weaker.....the weaker battery will not last as long. Yes...it can make a cell go out...and can make the battery go bad. Also....Deep cycle batterys need to really be charged back within 24 hr. of use...not the night before you go fishing again. This is why having a good onboard charger with a bank for each battery is so important. You plug in when you get home from fishing and dont unplug untill you go again.....really adds to the life of the battery.

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Ok cool! Ill check the water in the morning. I have a battery tender four bank charger that I use. It stays plug up until I leave to go to the lake. Thanks for the help!!!

If it aint a group 31 I'm not gonna run it. World of difference between a 31 and 29 imo.

What brand do you use Kdavid1?

I have quickly learned my lesson since I got my new 24 volt trolling motor! Had 2 batteries for my 12v system just swapped em back and forth as needed.. Decided to go cheap when I bought my new trolling motor and just tied the 2 old batteries together.. They did fine during the spring but the tournament at Enid I pulled cranks and had to start jig fishing at 11 bc my batteries were gone.. Have been goin til about 11 every day until today, they quit on me at 9:30! Trip to battery store Tuesday is in order. Will be going with u.s battery


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Originally Posted by ducker

I have quickly learned my lesson since I got my new 24 volt trolling motor! Had 2 batteries for my 12v system just swapped em back and forth as needed.. Decided to go cheap when I bought my new trolling motor and just tied the 2 old batteries together.. They did fine during the spring but the tournament at Enid I pulled cranks and had to start jig fishing at 11 bc my batteries were gone.. Have been goin til about 11 every day until today, they quit on me at 9:30! Trip to battery store Tuesday is in order. Will be going with u.s battery


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you got a good job..........................dont cheap.:biggrin

my problem is the lack of room in my xpress h51. Can fit 2 group 27s and might squeeze in 2 29s. Don't think there is any way for 31s.Gonna take some close measurements tomorrow. The extra 30-40 minutes would be nice. I think I was getting about 5 hours if I raised my outboard as much as I could and still use it as a rudder and trolled downwind as much as possible.

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Originally Posted by mississippi

you got a good job..........................dont cheap.:biggrin

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Oh they wasn't cheap, but them cart batteries are HEAVY!!!! And mine ain't quite as good as yours!!


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