Trolling Batteries

[nastynate]

I'm think I'm going to convert my 80lb minn kota to a 101lb and I'm curious to the people running a 101 allready and what batteries they are you using and what is your battery life. I currently am running 2 interstate DC-27 for my 80lb and it will last all day. I was thinking of running 3 DC-24 for my potential 101 swap. Anyone out there have any info with this?

[WIGuide]

Most use a 27 series or bigger. It all comes down to how hard you're pushing it and how heave your boat is.

[Jig Man]

I don' t know of anyone using that size but since 36 draws less amps than 24 you might get away with it unless you plan to use high a lot.

[Way2slow]

Look at it in the practical since. You say two group 27's run you all day. They are probably close to being 105 amp hour batteries, so figure 105 Ah @ 24 volts, that's pretty close to 2,500 watts of power. Now you figure good group 24 batteries are probably in the 80 Ah range, so figure 80Ah @ 36 volts is going to be close to 2,900 watts of power. Then you can also figure the 36 volt motor should be noticeably more efficient than the 24 volt motor, (how much, I don't have the figures, but I would think the difference should noticeable, but even if not, your still getting more available power) so it's not going to put quite the drain of the batteries to get the same speed you would be running with the 24 volt motor.

So, looking at it that way, what do you think?

Understand one thing, unless your current batteries are very new (rule of thumb, have been charged less than 25 times), you will need to buy three new batteries, even if you stick with the groups 27's or you will for sure have battery problems. Anytime you are running batteries in series, they all need to be the same type, size and age because the same load is being felt by all three batteries. Even if trying to add one more of the same make type and size. As a battery ages, it's internal resistance changes and if they are not all three about the same age, the internal resistance of the new battery is going to be different than the other two. Internal resistance creates heat, so if its not even, if the new batteries is greater, it will over heat, or if the new batteries is less, the other two batteries will over heat.

[nastynate]

Way2slow thank you for the info. It's a good thing my friend works at interstate batterie. I think I'm going to try both set ups and see how each will perform.