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My Trolling battery is completely seperate from my cranking battery which is charged by the outboard. Is there a way to connect the trolling battery to the cranking battery someway so that it will have a continuous charge on it? That would make things a whole lot easier instead of having to charge the trolling battery each couple of trips. Thanks all.
"Shep"
Just run you a wire from positive to positive and one from negative to negative. Just dont run your trolling motor so much that its runs the batteries down to weak to crank your motoe when you are ready to go. I would reccomend an on board charger. Just plug it in when you get home and unplug before you leave. You'll always have a full charge on your trolling battery when you leave. I just ordered a 3 bank on board charger for my boat, but I always charge my batteries every time I get home and top them off the day before I go fishing...Rather be safe than sorry!!!
speaking of chargers, has anyone tried the solar chargers at bass pro? whats the results?
outbord doesen`t charge enough to keep up a troling batter. unles you are a bass fisherman and do more running than fishing. i think it is onlwy 10 amps.
Not a good idea to connect the two together. You dont want to run the electronics off TM battery. I am not an authority. That is the word that i get from the authorities.
I think they are more of a battery maintainer. They would probably require days to recharge a trolling battery. Their more expensive ones, Sunsei 500 and 1500 only put out 500 and 1500 milliamps!Quote:
Originally Posted by allen
Bill, according to INTERSTATE BATTERIES you should only put two amps at a time into a trolling battery if you want it to last. Put it in slow and take it out slow is what their customer service rep told me. Do not run your trolling motor and fish finder off the same battery either. As Foul Hook said this is not from me but from someone that knows.
i ran mt troling motor battery with a depth finder it would act up when i started troling had to put it on my cranking battery on my bass boat . my pontoon has 3 batteries . 1 cranking and 1 troling up frunt also have run my depth finder on it up frunt . one on back for consol and depth finder on consol .
Well from what I'm hearing its best to leave the batteries seperate and just 2amp charge the trolling battery when it needs it, thanks for the input guys.
I gotta go hookup the charger.
"Shep"
Or just buy an optima and you want have to worry about any charging! lol
i charge all my batteries on10 amp. :eek::confused: have some i used 5 years . delco batteries
I am trying to find out if anyone has any reports good or bad on Optima trolling batteries. I am limited on room in my boat because it has such a large gas tank. I only have room for one cranking and one trolling battery but if I go to the Optima I will have room for two trolling batteries and would put them in parrallel with each other for longer trolling life. Any comments will be appreciated.
Let me ask (probably) a stupid question. If you wire two 12 volt batteries together, isn't that sending 24 volts to whatever?
"Shep"
Get a battery switch........I have mine set up to charge when I am running then I can isolate the mains/trolling system for trolling with the flip of a switch. Perko makes a great one I have used for years.....
As for amperage limits.........AGM and Gel type batteries do have to be charged at lower rates than wet plate cell construction. The reason for this is that a battery gives off hydrogen when charging. Glass mat style batteries (Optima for example) will form hydrogen gas bubbles in the gel that is between the plates. With no way to escape it effectively kills the battery at this location. Wet Cell Plate batteries, however, can easily expel this gas through the liquid sulfuric acid.
Battery manufacturers can give you an optimum charging rate for all batteries to prevent damage.
Another jewel I have found is the Vector Portside "Smart" battery charger.
This charger monitors the battery and properly adjust the charging rate based on the charging needs of the battery. It ranges from 30 amps down to a float charge mode throughout the cycle. No risk of overcharging.
It also has modes for "AGM" "Gel" and "Wet" cell style batteries......all have different modes of charging.
It also has modes for desulfating the plates, and balancing the cells. This is great for restoring the electrolyte balance in the cells and in some cases will revive even a "dead cell" in a battery.
My trolling motor battery "Trojan" manufacturer of Minn Kota batteries is about 5 years old now and is as strong as the day I bought it. I charge it regularly at 10 amps and if I am in a hurry 30 amps. The Vector charger does a great job of maintaining it without damage.
The biggest problem with battery maintenance is keeping the water full.
I run Trojan Wet Cell on the trolling system and Die Hard Platinum Marine batteries on the mains..........She always cranks when I say go! :)
Last week I couldn't even spell Injunear........Now I R 1!
Only in series.........Load to positive - negative to positive - negative to Load.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluegill Bill
Parallel is still 12 volts with more amperage capacity.
They didn't do well with me.........I go offshore some and the constant banging kills em....went through about 3....I bought mine at Sears and ran them until they quit selling them. They offered me a replacement Die Hard Platinum Marine AGM which has held up 3 years with no problems *Fingers Crossed*Quote:
Originally Posted by EARL KITCHENS
I looked at a parallel setup optima sells for a trolling package.....After some investigation into weight and size Trojan had a better single battery solution at less weight per amp.
Dave, in your opinion am I better off with one trolling motor battery or two in parallel? I only have a space of 13 inches by 16 inches to work with for two batteries or one large one? Thanks for all the information. Do you know who actually manufactures the Trojan battery? Where can you buy them?
Trojan Battery Company
They have a distributor search link on this page............Its usually a small local battery shop in your hometown......
Running batteries in parallel will increase your total amphour (runtime) rating as compared to a single battery. However, you can buy a larger battery that will have as much or more amphour capacity.
I use the Trojan SCS225 which has double the capacity of the largest (Size 31) Optima at only slightly more weight
The second good part of the Trojan is that it is a "wet cell" and not a Gel....
In my previous post I mentioned about charging rates. The wet cell can take the rapid charging rates without damage whereas Optima recommends an 8 amp max rate with there batteries. Dont quote me on that but I think thats approximately the number.
Gel batteries tend to have more instant power for cranking (CCA) but less grunt in the long haul (Amphour Capacity).
Trojan has a new line of AGM batteries out now.......the 8D series is like 21x11x8 and weighs in at a hefty 167 lbs..........but comes with a nice 230 c/20 amphour rating. I have a buddy running 3 of these in a 36v setup in a striper boat........he can troll like two weekends straight dragging lines without a recharge. But I always did think he was a bit unstable (mentally) lol.
A single Optima is about 75 amphours at 60lbs, and the Trojan SCS225 is 130 amphours at 66 lbs.
Basically, just do the math.........if two batteries fit better than one and will give you more power go for it.......it really depends on your boat setup. I look at weight, space, and output and find the best fit.
Just be sure you get deepcycle batteries for trolling..........They have thicker plates. You lose a little plate material each time you recharge so deep cycle batteries have more beef in the plates than a cranking battery.
Basically, buy a good battery, keep it charged (always store fully charged), keep it watered, and it will last till the lead in the plates is gone.....
Mine do run down, but freshening them up with the motor keeps them working as long as I want to fish........just touching them up moving from hole to hole helps greatly.
I will try to sketch up my setup so you can understand how the battery switch works..... Basically the switch allows me to switch from the trolling battery to the Main battery or both. The trolling motor is directly wired to the Trolling battery and stays connected to it all the time. I can switch the battery switch to "all" and troll with both batteries if i want........but a jumpstart on the lake is hard to come by and I am still debating the practicality of that emergency pull cord on my 115 4stroke Merc LOL.
I have jumped her off before with an anchor chain and an aluminum seat post in the middle of the night to avoid that option LOL.
Here is the model of the battery switch that I use.
PERKO Inc.
I hook mine up like figure 1
http://gator49.hostgator.com/~zeromy...(8500INS1).pdf
The only difference is to hook the trolling motor directly to Battery 1. The switch connects Battery 1, Battery 2, or both to the Motor for starting/charging.
This way you can use either battery 1, 2, or both for the mains, troll with battery 1 or both, charge either 1 or 2 or both from the main motor.
It also allows you to run the trolling motor off of one battery and electronics off of the other if you have interference problems. Most interference problems can be solved with proper grounding or power filters from the trolling motor manufacturer.
Dave, thanks for all the thought and input you put into this. I am planning on fishing as many tournaments as I can in the next year and I am just trying to get ahead of any unforeseen problems. Dead batteries can ruin your day very quickly. I am as proactive as I can be and I put my trolling battery on a two amp charge every time I get back home from fishing. My biggest issue is lack of room for my batteries. THANKS AGAIN.
Space was also the big issue on my boat....not a lot of space for batteries but I needed lots of battery power. But I could fit two D34 Optimas in there and wire them parallel. That is the setup I have now and battery power is the absolute last worry I have while fishing. I can't come close to running it down trolling in hard wind all weekend without recharging.Quote:
Originally Posted by EARL KITCHENS
I Fixed My Problem By Moving My Battery Trays And Now I Have Room For Two Full Size Trolling Batteries And My Crankig Battery. Thanks For The Optima Information.
:eek: Ptooey LOL :rolleyes:
How Do You Charge Batteries When They Are In Parallel? Do You Just Hook The Charger Up To Either One?
Yes you can charge them by hooking to either.........
Series requires a multibank charger.
I can actually charge my trolling and mains together but choose to charge separately because trolling is wet cell system and main cranking is AGM.........
My chargers operate in different modes for each one........
You really have to watch thermal spikes on AGM's and GEL's hence the lower charging rates.....
My charger manual also states that desulfating a gel or agm WILL cause an explosion LOL..............no Maybe in their view LOL..........Sulfation is a big issue that leads to early battery death when you cycle them hard like you do trolling.......
Here is a quick pic for thoses like me that can never remember witch way to wire batteries up..
Puddle
Thanks Puddle Jumper. Can You Answer Another Question. My Charger Has A Two Amp And Ten Amp Charge Option. I Have Always Charged My Trolling Battery Two Amps At A Time With A Charger That Automatically Shuts Off At Full Charge. Is This The Correct Procedure?
Hey Earl, I have the same problem that you do with space and I tried the two battery Optima setup. I used the Perco switch and the two biggest Optima trolling batteries. I was very displeased with the Optima batteries. I had 300 dollars worth of batteries and I could not troll from daylight to dark. I never had a problem trolling all day with one large trolling battery. I took the Optima batteries back and traded for the largest trolling battery they had plus I got a lot of money back. Then I was able to troll all day again. I didn't have a problem but like you I was trying to increase my power and I was hoping to have power to spare at the end of the day. But anyway the Optima batteries just didn't work for me. I think you will be a lot better off with the two full size trolling batteries after moving the trays and creating the room. I have a Minn Kota Power Drive trolling motor now and it has a maximizer built in and I can troll for at least two days without recharging. Wes
Wes, What Kind Of Battery Do You Have?
I Have A Minn Kota Power Drive 55 Pound Thrust Auto Pilot With A Maximizer Built In Also. I Am Going To Install Two Of The Largest Batteries In Parallel That I Can Fit In The Space Available. That Should Cure My Battery Issues. I Am Also Installing A Pro Air Aeration System In My Live Wells This Week.
Earl,
Im no expert but ive always been told to charge you batteries slow, thats its better for them,, 10 amp will do the job if you are in a hurry,and trying to put a quick charge in them,,
Also I have had great luck with the off the shelf batteries from wallmart , the Maxx Life deep cells, I use one with a 46lb motor guide "came with my boat" and I can troll all day on ONE with a frsh charge, no problem, and you can get a replacement anywhere, with the Minn Kota you should be that much better off..
Do you top off your batteries before you hit the water??
Puddle
My trolling battery goes on a two amp charge with automatic shutoff every time i get back home from fishing and stays on until i go again. I used to use GNB STOWAWAY batteries with great success. My boat came with an Interstate battery that lasted 13 months and they replaced it for free. The replacement which I have now is bad after 14 months. I do everything I can possibly do to make them last longer but it is not working.
Here's what I've learned over the years with both boat and aircraft batterys. To make your batterys last longer, "ALWAYS" put them on a "SLOW" charge as soon as you return home from a trip. Don;t let it sit for days or weeks and charge it a couple of days before your next trip. It's ok if your at the fishing camp and need to put it on 10 amps to get ready for the next day of fishing, but your best bet is to have another battery that you can use so you can stay with a slow charge routine on "ALL" of your batterys.Quote:
Originally Posted by EARL KITCHENS
Next, there is a term called "WAKING-UP" a battery. If you have a battery that has been charged on a 1.5 or 2 amps over the years and all of a sudden it's not taking a charge, quick-charge it on high amps. You have a 50-50 chance that you may get another year fishing out of it. Beat's forking out another 100 bucks that can be used for other things.
I have one MAXX life that is going on it's 4th season, never been charged on anything but 1.5 amps and I can fish 2 days at Talquin on it with my trolling motor. I have three of them and just keep swaping on every other fishing trip.
Earl,Quote:
Originally Posted by EARL KITCHENS
Go back to the batteries that worked for you and stay with the 1.5 to 2 amp charge. In other words----get rid of the Interstate battery. Their warrenty program is great, but who wants to keep changing out batterys with them every year. There not the best when it comes to deep cycle batteries.
Smart chargers eliminate the need to "Slow Charge" batteries........
This only came about because "Dumb" chargers cannot regulate voltage and current properly.
They do this automatically. It is fine to hit them with higher current at the front end of a charge. Smart chargers monitor this and automatically switch to lower current to top off and maintain the battery at the end of the charging cycle.......It also does this 3 different ways based on AGM, GEL, or WET type batteries.
The CTEK does this as does the Vector model I use.............They will keep them fresh........
High current actually helps the battery equalize the electrolytes......This is what you are referring to as "Waking" a battery. What has happened is that the plates have sulfated to the point they cannot work..........this High charging rate breaks it up a bit so that it will work again..........
The proper way to do this is Desulfation or Reconditioning a battery.......especially one that is deep cycled is also an important step. Both of the chargers mentioned above offer this option electrically as a high frequency pulse mode.
I noticed that Minn Kota also offers a chemical desulfation additive to go in the battery...........Dunno about this........I suppose it does the same thing by breaking down the crystaline sulfur on the plates and putting it back into acid solution.
Earl, I have the Wal-Mart Everstart Maxx trolling battery. I have the largest they make and I bought it in January of this year. It was 70 or 80 dollars. If I remember right the amp hours on the battery was 125 and this is a good rating for a 80 dollar battery. It beats a lot of the more expensive batteries the other companies sell. I have been real pleased with the battery so far and like puddle jumper says if you keep your receit with you, you can get a new battery just about anywhere if yours dies. These batteries have a year and a half free replacement on them also and then they are prorated after that. The other trolling batteries I bought over the years had a warranty of three months to maybe a year (not many gave you a year) and most of them were prorated type warranties. Getting a new battery for a year and a half is a pretty good deal if you have trouble. With the two batteries you will be installing and the trolling motor you have I don't think you will ever have power problems or have to quit early unless you are struck by lightening (LOL). Earl your boat will be setup killer for next tournament season. Good luck with your modifications. Wes
Thanks Wes. Since I decided to keep my boat I decided to customuize it to fit my needs. I made some modifications to the rod holders and I hope to install my Pro Air Aerator System by this Friday. I may go to Sinclair or West Point and try it all out on Friday.
I also have the Wal-Mart Everstart Maxx trolling batteries in my boat. I have been using them for about 16 months now with no problem at all. I just like this particular battery because if I ever do need to replace it, there is always a Wal-Mart close by. I use one of those "Smart Charge" battery chargers that zaps it with high amps at the beginning at adjusts the amps accordingly as it goes. I am still waiting on my on board charger that will only give it a steady 5 amps until fully charged.
Guess I'll throw my 2 cents in on this, I have 2 Schumacher SSC 1500 battery chargers,these are the smart chargers that Bulls Bay refers to.You can get them at walmart for around 60 bucks. Very compact chargers, I keep them in the boat, I always charge at 10 amps, in an over night tourney situation or 2 day fishing trip,whatever, I'll hook one to each trolling battery, I will wear out both sometimes in the crazy conditions we fish sometimes, like 25 mph winds, white caps,draggin chains and so forth. This link might answer some questions. Schumacher Electric | FAQ As for Batteries lasting it depends on how you fish and how much abuse you give em, I consider myself lucky if mine last 2yrs. I do have an onboard charger that ain't worth nothing 2 bank - 2 amp, so I disconnected it,would chunk it in the lake,but that would be against my littering policy..