I went crankbait trolling today. First time at 1.6 mph. Battery got low after 2 hrs.
Single battery from Walmart
4 Year’s old
17’ G3 Aluminum boat w 75 hp
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I went crankbait trolling today. First time at 1.6 mph. Battery got low after 2 hrs.
Single battery from Walmart
4 Year’s old
17’ G3 Aluminum boat w 75 hp
Thanks
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's a sizeable boat to be pulling with just one 12 volt battery, is the TM a 55# thrust? You can run two 12 volts batteries in parallel to give you more trolling time, best to be the same group size battery, brand and age. Also, the larger the group size the better, I would probably go with at least group 29's or better yet 31's if you got room for them. Or if your serious about pulling cranks may even look to going up to a 24 volt TM in the future, I had a 24volt Ultrex on a 16' G3 40HP running on two Exide 31's and could troll for up to 10 hours straight and your boat is bigger than that.
battery isn't the problem. Your trolling motor is underpowered for your boat. If you're going to be trolling, a 24v motor should be a minimum.
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I’m unlikely to drop the bucks for a new TM, XI5 , so what’s my best option?
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What size battery?
I have a group 29 and 2 hours of pulling around my 14' Alumacraft will have it pretty low.
Got 18 foot boat and use mnn Kota 55 and 2 31 series batteries. Got switch where I can run battery #1 or battery #2 or both......never had a problem......but don’t pull crank baits but believe I could. My thoughts
If TM is out of the equation, then you need more battery.
Best option, 2 gruop 31s.
Good option, 2 group 29s.
Okay option, 2 group 27s.
1/2 day options is 1 group 31 battery.
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I run a 18 ft F&F flatbottom with 90 hp tiller. I can run all day on a US Battery (golf cart). They will do the job!! I can push cranks till i give out and have battery left, just an option since a TM in not.
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Do as snubby suggested except if i was gonna have 2 12volt batteries i would use quick disconnects.Buy a trolling plate and run big motor and use trolling motor to steerQuote:
Originally Posted by brettw
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I have an Alumacraft Competitor 165, it weighs 1,500 lbs wet, rigged with a Minn Kota Power Drive 55 lb. thrust and I pilot... It is powered by 2- Group 31 AGM Batts in series. I can run ALL DAY, and still have plenty of charge left. They are Cabelas labled.
I pretty much troll with the trolling motor exclusively, only time I use the big motor is when I am trolling into a 20 mph head wind. Then I use them both because I use the big motor as the slave motor, then also I use the I pilot with the cruise control to steer, and maintain the right speed I want to troll. Normally I am not in that much wind, so I only use the trolling motor and I really like the I pilot to troll so I can do so with out having to man the helm. Even if you don't have a power drive the minn kota 55 lb thrust with Maximizer will do the same.
If you have a minn kota 55 lb. thrust trolling motor you can invest in at least 1 group 31 AGM Battery and be able to go for 4 to 6 hours in 5 to 10 mph winds. I have done it regularly before having 2 AGM batts.
Hope this helps.
By 1/2 day you think it would last 4 hours?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hanr3
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I use 2 - 29's on my Aluma Craft comp. boat I have never pulled them down on a fairly quiet day 5-12mph. heavy winds about 6.5hrs.
Yes, a group 31 should last half a day (4 hours). All depends on wind and boat weight.Quote:
Originally Posted by brettw
Do some research on battery amp hours. It's a simple calculation once you understand the numbers and where they come from.
Some Trolling motors use 100% power all the time, even when they aren't turning the prop that fast. Some draw power based on motor (prop) speed. You need to figure out which TM you have.
You also need to understand the definition of a "dead" battery. Once a battery gets below X volts, the more you draw power the harder and longer it takes to recover, if it can recover. Every time you go below x, you shorten the life of the battery. Deep cycles recover better than starting batteries.
There are a lot of variables on batteries and longevity. Electrical engineers dedicate there entire careers to batteries. This can be very complicated. However there are some "general" guidelines that prove out fairly well.
2 batteries are better than 1. Regardless if you have a 12volt, 24volt system.
Larger group size batteries last longer, have more amp hours available. And will recover better and last longer than smaller group size batteries.
Can it be done on one trolling motor battery, absolutely. However you need to understand the variables and monitor your batteries charge level while on the water. Testers are in-expensive and portable. Some trolling motors come with them installed. You can also buy a gage/tester to mount in the boat, push a button and it can display the current state.
Also remember, wind plays a huge role in battery longevity on the water. Don't expect to get the same longevity on windy days as you do on calm days.
I had a 12v 55pound trust trolling motor on a 14' aluminum boat and could last all day for my style of fishing. The boat was small, 4' wide at the gunnel. I could literally put both hands in the water on opposite sides of the boat at the same time. I stepped up to a 16' deep v with a 12v 55pd thrust and barely made it till lunch. Then I bought a 24v 80 pound TM with spotlock and navigation. I dropped in two group 31's and can troll all day in 20mph winds. It isn't fun, but I can do it. Did just that during one tournament, 6 hours of non-stop 20mph winds. I trolled around the lake, then found a brushpile that was stacked in the middle of the lake. The lake bottom had a sharp drop off and the fish were stacked on the downwind side. I spot locked over that brushpile for 2 hours and fished. I was bobbing like a cork in 3' swells. But still had plenty of battery at the end of the day.
The safe reply, is two batteries. But you can do one battery if you configure the TM and battery system as a team and then monitor its performance. The last key of the puzzle is a battery charger. You want something that will charge in three stages, and has electronics to monitor the battery state before, during, and after charging.
We're side pulling a 16' Tracker (an older heavier Panfish Tracker) for about 4 hrs, using a single Series 24 Interstate deep cycle battery. Powering a 40# thrust MK motor. It'd probably do 5 hrs. if we wanted with no problem. Even though the motor charge indicator shows low, this "Timex" just keeps on ticking! We make sure the battery is recharged at the end of each trip however. You've got to recharge as soon as possible after draining a deep cycle battery.
If I were pushing a heavier boat for longer periods, I'd probably look at a Series 27. JMO.
Brett, what kind of trolling motor you running. If your running a 5 speed motor with out maximizer your going to need 2 group 31's to get any reasonable time out of them pulling cranks at that speed. Most everyone's statements are based on maximizer motors which are way more efficient.
I'm another vote for the 2 batteries parrallel for the 12 volt system, the biggest you can fit. Better suited to what you're doing is the 24 volt system and you'll never need to upgrade again. The initial cost was tough for me too. 6 years ago. And short of just wearing out a set of batteries I've never had to do anything but use it. I bought a pro mite series charger from BPS and just upgraded this time to 2 - 29 series batteries from Wally for just under $200, and never wear em down in 6 hours plus of pulling a heavy bass boat around. Do it once, do it right, and you'll not regret it.
You can get Group 31 Deepcycle.. Duracells at Sam's Club for 90 bucks ea.
It’s a Motor Guide Xi5, I assume since I paid Max price, it has a Maximizer!Quote:
Originally Posted by Cray
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I have a terrova 55lb 12v on my 175 tracker.... I am running 3 group 27's and have yet to pull them down this year... I was runnin no two and getting 5-6 hours out of them.... added the third and have not had a problem yet! I also moved mine up front and it makes a tracker boat fish so much better!
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You moved all 3 up front?Quote:
Originally Posted by Erin Brewer
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Yep, you got maximizer. Assuming 55 thrust. My terrova 55 pulls my Wareagle that's about same size and weight of yours on 2 group 27's about 4 hours at 1.5. Would assume a couple of more hours out of 31's. I have a 50 4stroke with trolling plate. For cranks I run big motor at idle, tie down steering straight ahead then use troller to steer. Set it on about 4 sand it lasts all day with little drop on batteries since it's not really pulling the boat just the side thrust to steer.Quote:
Originally Posted by brettw
https://www.trojanbattery.com/product/t-105/
Put Two of these in, wired in series. Or two of the 12 volt wired in parallel. Just make sure too get a big enough charger, and make sure you have enough height for them. They're taller than a standard deep cycle.
Look at the amp hours compared to a standard deep cycle.
You'll be able to go into the wind and current all day long!
Go to a local golf cart store, and price them.
OkQuote:
Originally Posted by skunked again
I tried to post a pic but couldn’t,
Anyway I’m looking at 2 6volt 232 AH batteries wired to give me 12 volts.
That keeps the AH at 232?
So my Xi 5 pulls 50 A at max
I’m looking at 4 hours of time on the water running at full power? ( I don’t run full power by the way, maybe 75%)
Thanks for clarification
Ps price is $124. per battery
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Ralo79, can you PM me the spec's on your battery. Kinda interested. Putting mine back together, and several lakes in the area are electric only. All day power sounds very interesting...Thank you, Eric, aka, jamesdean.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ralo79
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No, if you wire the 6 volt in series, to get 12 volt. You will double the amp hours. Which should effectively double the run time.Quote:
Originally Posted by brettw
Here you go Jamesdean,
U.S. Battery | Leader in Deep Cycle Batteries | US 12VRX XC2 - U.S. Battery | Leader in Deep Cycle Batteries
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I have 55lb 12v terrova
Running 2 -1275 12v Trojan golf cart batteries with this set up I'm getting around 10 hrs run time. ... I get run down way before the batteries
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Unless you buy a golf cart charger built for 6 volts can't figure how you would plan on charging them. Remember 2 6volts paralleled make 12 which would give you a lot more power but you still have to charge each seperatly at 6 volts.Quote:
Originally Posted by brettw
I still have two group 24 batteries in the back one for engine and one for electronics... the three up front only run the TMQuote:
Originally Posted by brettw
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I have to wire in Series to get 12 volts.
Series wiring keeps the AH the same according to this web site
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https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/arti...-tutorial.html
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OuchQuote:
Originally Posted by Cray
I assumed my onboard charger would change them as a 12 volt
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HiQuote:
Originally Posted by theygotaeat
How are you charging these 6 volt batteries?
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They are 12v not 6 I've had these for several years and love them
Before I had walmart batteries and they can't hang with the trolling in my opinion
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using TapatalkQuote:
Originally Posted by brettw
Ok, Now I have a question for all you battery smart people. I am working, more planning at this stage actually, on my 1968 aluminum v-bottom. Looking at batteries for running a MinnKota 55 lb bow mount TM, and a Hummingbird Helix 7 DI CHIRP etc., Bilge pump (only if needed) and a portable aerator. A few of the lake I will visit are electric only, so staying power is needed. My question is, which would be a better system two group 29 12v. batteries or better (i.e. group 31 batteries), or some 6v batteries hooked up in series for the 12v needed to run everything? Thank you a head of time.
Here u go
https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fi...2-volt-update/
I honestly don’t know what to do.
I’m getting into crank bait trolling
Last outing my 29 series lasted about 3 hours but I drained it WAY down.
I know that’s bad for the battery,
Current battery is 2 years old.
I’m tempted to just add another 29 to the system and set how it does,
But I don’t want to sort of hurt any new battery I buy
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If you're staying with lead acid, get the Trojan 6 or 12 volt. Look up stats, for each battery, compare them. Dimensions, weight, amp hours, price, longevity (both time to discharge and length of service).
When i staeted i had a 12volt 55lb trolling motor and one group 27 battery.Went to 2 27 wired together and the old battery seemed to pull the newer one down.Next i went with quick disconnects,one one went down i could unplug and plyg into the other battery.Added a trolling plate also during this time.Time went on and i finally bought a 24volt trolling motor and was happy alittle while.Then i added another 24volt system up front and a female plug up front where i can the plug into the other 24volt system when the other 24volt system runs down.All batteries are 27 series because i didnt have room for bigger batteries in my boat.Some will say its over kill,but when the fish are biting im usually not going home because of a battery problem.I also had problems getting batteries fully charged over nite along the way,a 15 amp dualpro charger fixed that problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by brettw
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Just to wrap this up here’s my final plan.
Buy 2 Trojan T 105 , 6 volt , $119 each
Wire in series = 12 volts
Charging with my onboard charger as a 12 volt system, positive lead on battery one, negative lead on battery 2
447 minuets at 25 amps
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Just go to Sam's and get two Duracell group 31 deep cycles...and wire in paralell lfor 12 volts... connect to a on board charger that has 15 amps per bank and connect a bank to each battery. You will be able to pull cranks at 1.8 mph all day and they will recharge over night. Then if you decide to get a 24 volt trolling motor later on with more thrust you will already have the batterys for it and you can rewire then in series. Those batterys are 90 bucks ea. at Sam's Club.
Aren't you glad you asked ? :crazy: