Deep cycle battery for BassBaby

[wasabi_VA]

I'm gonna need a new trolling motor battery by the time next fishing season rolls around. I'm powering a 40-lb Bulldog motor in a little 8' Bassbaby so I'm rarely using any of the faster speed settings. Usually I get a 27 series battery but this year thinking of downsizing to a smaller 24 series battery, mostly to save weight.

 

I find I'm fishing less and less the past few years, but each time I go to get a new battery I am always surprised some new battery technology isn't offering me an improved option. I always get a Walmart deep cycle battery and they work just fine for me provided I keep them recharged (which I am religious about doing). Just surprised we don't have an economical or smaller lithium battery option worth considering. I see those Optima ones are still outrageously expensive without offering might in terms of space or weight savings.

 

What's a good 24-series option to consider for my next battery?

[gnappi]

Why not look at U1 deep cycle batteries? My 35Ah AGM (Solar/Wheelchair/multi use) battery weighs 24 lbs.

 

I get 3.5 - 4.0 hours run time in my 10' Lowe weighed down with a 50lb TM, rods, gear, electronics, cooler and my fishing buddy.  I never drain it below 11.9  volts (40% charge state) even though I can.

 

These are around $60 each with the 20% off electronic coupon.

 

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-35-amp-hour-sealed-lead-acid-battery-64102.html

 

For the weight of a single group 24 you can get two U1's for a lot less money and similar runtime, and if you switched the batteries (run one at a time) always have a spare to get you home and / or run your electronics.

 

So you know, I started out with a group 27 92 Ah (still have it for solar uses) battery but at 63 lbs it wore me down taking it out of the boat to hand launch it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Angry John]

I have a U-1 in my hobie and its great, but your total electrical load needs to be considered.  Are you running a TM and a sonar? I am only running a sonar and charging my phone.  I can also run lights but there LED and dont take much juice.

[gnappi]

Yup, good point(s).

 

I have a separate U1 for my electronics, I started out with just one, but when the TM got bogged down in weeds, or if I used a lot of full speed jump starts ? to 3-4 mph. The DF and GPs would crap out since the DC dropped to below 12 volts, the second dedicated battery cured that. I highly recommend U1's in a small all electric boat.

[B-Dozer]

Walmart, Everstart MAXX batteries are good. I'd stick with them. You've had good luck with them. They come in the 24 size.

[wasabi_VA]

Yes, I do power my sonar. Guess I assumed that consumption was negligible but maybe not.

 

I don't know...the thought of handling/managing 2 of these smaller U1 batteries sounds like more effort than just dealing with one 24 series.

[TOXIC]

There are Lithium options out there if you want to spend the $$.  Lithium Pro's and Relion are 2 makers.  

[LonnieP]

How long do you stay out on the water usually? A group 24 battery is going to give you less running time than a 27. 

[gnappi]

On 12/20/2018 at 7:11 AM, wasabi_VA said:

Yes, I do power my sonar. Guess I assumed that consumption was negligible but maybe not.

 

I don't know...the thought of handling/managing 2 of these smaller U1 batteries sounds like more effort than just dealing with one 24 series.

Power use on DF's is really negligible, at least on mine and there's a number of sites that refute the DF power hog issue.

 

As far as handling two small batteries instead of one being problematical, IMO it's not. I started with a 27 and really needed a lot less weight, lower cost, battery redundancy / backup and more controllable weight distribution. I think smaller all electric  boats are an ideal candidate for U1's.

 

My GF's son has a group 31 battery (he's stuck with it till it dies) and once he saw that my instruments never died he bought one of the U1's for instrumentation, lighting, bilge etc. and he likely will never buy anything else but U1's in the future. 

 

If you're comfortable with the 24's by all means use them. I'm not trying to convince you otherwise, just to give you a realistic and maybe better option.