Thread: Need advice on main and trowling batteries

When using 2 batteries in parallel or series, it is important that they are the same age. I use 2 27's for troll motor and a 27 for cranking. All are Cabela's agms. They are hooked up to a MinnKota charger installed by Xpress and is hooked to all 3 batteries. You do not have to disconnect anything, making sure your key is not in the on position should be the same as disconnecting. Just plug it in and they will be ready soon. Mine steps down on each battery as it is charged. If you use AGM batteries you have to have a newer charger. The AGM's charge in less than half the time. I caught mine on sale a year ago for almost half price.

Originally Posted by "D"

When using 2 batteries in parallel or series, it is important that they are the same age. I use 2 27's for troll motor and a 27 for cranking. All are Cabela's agms. They are hooked up to a MinnKota charger installed by Xpress and is hooked to all 3 batteries. You do not have to disconnect anything, making sure your key is not in the on position should be the same as disconnecting. Just plug it in and they will be ready soon. Mine steps down on each battery as it is charged. If you use AGM batteries you have to have a newer charger. The AGM's charge in less than half the time. I caught mine on sale a year ago for almost half price.

I must have caught the same sale you did on the Cabela's AGM batteries. I also have a Cabela's onboard three bank charger and it has worked great. I did get a different battery for the cranking battery as I needed more cranking amps than the Cabela's AGM batteries. I got a dual purpose Exide AGM. If someone is going to use either a deep cycle for cranking whether conventional or AGM, check the cranking amps and make sure it can be used for dual purpose. For the original poster, what you need for trolling is more amp hours from your battery or batteries. You may be able to get by with one battery if you check to get one that has higher amp hours or you can get two batteries as you planned. Some people cannot find the space for another battery. The new chargers are definitely the way to go for me because they not just charge the battery but condition it when I leave it in storage. This is supposed to increase battery life.

This seems relevant

BatteryStuff Articles | Compare and Contrast Between AGM and Gel Batteries

I'm not a fan of flooded/wet cell batteries. If you've ever seen what happens when one boils over in a boat due to overcharging or charger malfunction, you will know what I mean. I also don't like having to check electrolyte levels. Where I keep my batts stored under the console, it would be a pain and take a contortionist. I also don't like the acid residue that wet cells put off when charged, which causes corrosion at the connections.

That being said, I have been using the Deka Group 31 AGM batts since 2002 and I'm typically gettin about 8 years of hard service (trolling motor, striper bait tank, etc) out of them. These AGMs can also serve as cranking batteries due to their design. So I now also run one for my cranking and electronics batt too. Last one I bought was $240, but you can find them for less at times.

Onboard chargers are the only way to go as far as I'm concerned. I have 3 onboard chargers wired to a single plug. Makes it very easy to simply plug in an extension cord and charge all the batts whenever I travel. I've had very good service out of Guest battery chargers. But I do NOT leave the chargers continually plugged in. Doing so shortens the life you will get out the chargers since they see every voltage spike/dip the grid throws at them. (Lightening strikes, power outages, etc). I've also had an onboard charger overheat and almost catch fire. You really want to be around to monitor when they are charging in my opinion. I recharge my batts immediately after use, and then top off the charge before the next trip or whenever I'm around to monitor between trips.

Its hard to get a lot of folks to understand, but if you fish a lot, a good set of batteries and chargers will $ave you money in the long run. Hard to make that initial investment, but if you follow proper charging techniques, your cost per year is actually less. And you don't have the hassle of swapping batts out every year or two. That's been my experience anyway.
Tight Lines!

Acadamy has 3 bank minnkota onboard charger regular $299.99 on sale for $224.99. It's a 30amp charger. Great deal great charger.

That's in Greenville.

Since I started longlining last year, I am really running thru batteries. I purchased an interstate 29 series earlier this year and it's getting weaker by the trip and I think I need a new one. I keep an extra battery and hook jumper cables to them to save time swapping out. This seems to work but there has to be a better way. I have a tracker pro crappie 175 and I don't see the room to put an onboard charger where the batteries and gas tank are. Any suggestions?

Get a battery with the longest warranty you can
I think w mart has a 5 yr warranty on some. Pro rated I'm betting.
Take a long look there

Best Trolling Motor Battery? - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

here you good,
pretty through read

DEEP CYCLE BATTERY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS