Trolling motor power sources

[N Florida Mike]

Well, my battery has had it. ( again ) I have a feeling there must be a better way to power my 40 lb thrust minnkota. I saw a video of someone that was using some kind of re chargeable power pack that he ran his t.m off of , instead of a battery , said he got it at wal mart .I want something that is lighter than a battery and lasts longer , like a battery charger does.Any suggestions ? I realize this may be common knowledge but I am stuck in the past.

[TnRiver46]

How long did the battery last? I can usually get 3-5 years even from a cheap Wal Mart battery 

[Scott F]

13 hours ago, N Florida Mike said:

Well, my battery has had it. ( again ) I have a feeling there must be a better way to power my 40 lb thrust minnkota. I saw a video of someone that was using some kind of re chargeable power pack that he ran his t.m off of , instead of a battery , said he got it at wal mart .I want something that is lighter than a battery and lasts longer , like a battery charger does.Any suggestions ? I realize this may be common knowledge but I am stuck in the past.

You can buy lithium ion batteries for your trolling motor. They are smaller, lighter and powerful. The trade off? They cost around $700-$1,300 depending on capacity and more than once have been know to catch fire. 

[J Francho]

14 hours ago, N Florida Mike said:

some kind of re chargeable power pack

So, a battery.  Deka batts from WalMart and good charger and you should be set for years.

 

35 minutes ago, Scott F said:

They cost around $700-$1,300 depending on capacity and more than once have been know to catch fire.

New tech has eliminated this.  My girlfriend works for a company that makes safe electrolyte fills for lithium batteries.  While I can't say exactly who contracts them, your eyes would pop out of your head if you knew.  Let's just say, many vehicles, smart phones, and computers are powered by their patented tech.

 

http://www.nohms.com/

[WRB]

There isn't a portable solar marine deep cycle main power source for your trolling motor.

There are solar panel trickle chargers that have 12V with 1/4-1/2 amp power output.

Lithium Marine deep cycle batteries are availble in 12V, 24V and 36V systems, still over $500 for 12V battery, $1,000 for 36V.

Tom

 

 

[J Francho]

Sorry was talking about the fire risk...  Wasn't specific.

[Choporoz]

I throw my portable jump starter into the boat sometimes.  It has saved me a couple times....but it will only run the TM for about 15-20 min....hopefully, enough to get back.  Other than that, I'm not sure what might have been in the vid.

[N Florida Mike]

Thanks for the responses.

I'm pretty sure I won't be buying a lithium battery any time soon ( like ever ) at those costs. It seems like I go through batteries too often . Trying to find a solution. Something well priced that will last longer. 

[Scott F]

I buy my batteries at Walmart where it doesn’t get any cheaper. The last one I replaced was purchased in June of 09. If your batteries are not lasting very long, you may look at your charger or how you take of them. 

[N Florida Mike]

I get about 2 years out of one and that's it. Tried different ones but the results are always the same.

[J Francho]

It's gotta be a charger issue.  What do you use to charge them?

[Choporoz]

On 8/22/2017 at 2:58 PM, Way2slow said:

yes, it will work, just like a paddle will work for moving the boat around.  Is it the best tool for the job, not by a long shot. 

First, the charger is too small, second, using that type of charger is just causing a slow death of your battery. 

To properly charge the battery, the charger should be approx. 10% of the rated capacity.  That's 10 - 15 amps for most TM batteries. 

Second, those chargers are only intended to charge a battery every now and then, not constantly keep charging the battery every time its used.  Their voltage output is not suitable for that and actually cause harm to a battery every time you charge it.  Also, to fully charge a battery, it has to be overcharged slightly, those chargers are not designed to do that, as soon as the battery reaches a certain level, they shut off if it's and automatic, or can easily over charge one if not disconnected about 10 - 20 minutes after the battery reaches 100%. 

To properly charge a battery that's recharged on a regular basis, you need to use one that's logic controlled.  The stand alone chargers that do this are usually sold as Logic Controlled, Smart Chargers or Intili Chargers.   Many also have a maintenance mode so they can be left on the battery 24/7 and keep it properly maintained.  Some of the cheaper ones that advertise this feature will actually fry the battery in several months because their maintenance voltage is not that well regulated and too high to leave them on 24/7.

 

A good charger will pay for itself on the first battery.  You might get a year out of a good battery with a cheap charger, and five or six years with a good charger.

 

Bad info, don't use the 2 - 3 amp setting, it needs to be closer to 10.  A battery must gas a little bit when charger to keep the electrolyte mixed.  A slow charge like that will not make it form gas bubble and the electrolyte will stratify, causing the acid to settle to the bottom and water in the upper layer.  The heavy concentration of acid eats up the bottom section of plates.

 

Marine use batteries have an incredible amount of conflicting information on the interwebs. @Way2slow has composed a very good read here....better than anything else I've seen out there.

[drewmoniz]

What batteries are you guys buying at Walmart? Are they with the boating stuff or in automotive? Please help me before I drop $160 on a Bass Pro battery!

[long island basser]

They’re in automotive with all batteries.

Been using them for years, very satisfied with them.

Called Everstart deep cycle batt. Currently using 27dc size.

Ive been getting at least 4 and upwards of 6 years from mine.

Charging right after use with correct charger goes a long way.

[drewmoniz]

Thanks, I'll check them out! Are the portable Minn Kota chargers any good? The battery won't be staying in my boat. It will go on the charger at home.

[N Florida Mike]

I have a small schumaker battery charger. One problem is that it came without an instruction manuel. There are icons on the charger but I haven't been sure what they mean. I keep it on 12 volt and usually do the turtle setting which is a slow charge I reckon. 

The problem the last 6 months or so has been that the battery won't hold the charge . I charge it and if I let it sit without using it , the charge is lost.

The last battery was an old one my son had for awhile so it may just be worn out. Had trouble with the last 2 new ones too though, like I stated before, only getting about 2 years out of them . And they were deep cycle , trolling motor batteries.

[junyer357]

Best money dad and i spend on our boat was the plug knocker (only thing that pays for itself) and after that was an on board charger. One plug for all 3 batteries, and charges as needed to restore then switches automaticly to a trickle/maintain mode. Very simple to use. One led that is red when charging and green in trickle mode. It stays plugged in anytime we are not using boat. 

We also run the everstart batteries from walmart and get about 4 years out both tm deep cycle batteries, and change them both at same time. We have been getting 5-6 out of cranking/electronics dual purpose battery. 

[Choporoz]

5 hours ago, drewmoniz said:

Thanks, I'll check them out! Are the portable Minn Kota chargers any good? The battery won't be staying in my boat. It will go on the charger at home.

I've never talked to anyone who has had a problem with portable MK chargers. 

   

I, on the other hand, have gone through 3 last couple years.  Warranty service is good, so the last couple didn't cost me, except for return postage, but I won't buy them again.  I bought a NOCO Genius from Amazon after the last MK failure and HIGHLY recommend it.  BTW, I also used to use WM batteries.  Switched to Interstate and wouldn't go back.

[WRB]

What kills deep cycle marine batteries is over heating and under charging.

Overheating occurs if the plates are dry or the charger doesn't shut off boiling the electrolyte dry exposing the plates.

Under charging creates oxides on the plates that eventually shorts out the plate from bottom up. You should charge your deep cycle marine battery after use with a 10 to 15 amp charger with automatic shut off. 3 amp chargers should only be used to maintain a fully charged battery.

What I am reading in this thread is poor charging methods of wet cell batteries.

Using jump start battery devices may overheat your deep cycle battery with prolonged use depending on the amp output, they are designed to give a momentary surge voltage to the cranking battery.

 I don't know of light weight deep cycle lead acid batteries in group 27 size, they all heavy 60 +lbs and use lead including AGM's. Lithium Ion batteries are lighter weight but very expensive, $500+, compared to lead acid batteries and require a battery maintenance system to charge.

Tom

 

 

[drewmoniz]

3 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I've never talked to anyone who has had a problem with portable MK chargers. 

   

I, on the other hand, have gone through 3 last couple years.  Warranty service is good, so the last couple didn't cost me, except for return postage, but I won't buy them again.  I bought a NOCO Genius from Amazon after the last MK failure and HIGHLY recommend it.  BTW, I also used to use WM batteries.  Switched to Interstate and wouldn't go back.

Do the portable MK chargers have a maintenance mode so I can keep the battery hooked up to it? Or do I have to disconnect the battery when storing it?

[Choporoz]

11 minutes ago, drewmoniz said:

Do the portable MK chargers have a maintenance mode so I can keep the battery hooked up to it? Or do I have to disconnect the battery when storing it?

From the online manual:  https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoors.com/battery-chargers/portable-chargers

 

Maintenance:

When the battery reaches full charge, the charger voltage is reduced. A flashing GREEN LED is lit to indicate the battery is in Maintenance Mode and ready to use. After 24 hours, the charger automatically turns off and a steady GREEN  LED is lit to indicate the battery is in long term Maintenance Mode and ready to use. The charger will automatically resume charging when the battery voltage drops below 12.6V

[drewmoniz]

On 2/9/2018 at 1:53 PM, Choporoz said:

From the online manual:  https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoors.com/battery-chargers/portable-chargers

 

Maintenance:

When the battery reaches full charge, the charger voltage is reduced. A flashing GREEN LED is lit to indicate the battery is in Maintenance Mode and ready to use. After 24 hours, the charger automatically turns off and a steady GREEN  LED is lit to indicate the battery is in long term Maintenance Mode and ready to use. The charger will automatically resume charging when the battery voltage drops below 12.6V

Thanks a lot for the info. Much appreciated!