Trolling motor battery recommendations sought

[mheichelbech]

I have researched most of the posts on this topic and hadn't seen one yet that applies to my specific situation.  I just got a 12 foot aluminum boat and trailer to fish some 20-40 acre private lakes and a few public electric only lakes around me.  It has been a while since I have done this (like 25 years) so I am out of touch with all the new stuff.  In order to avoid buying the wrong trolling motor, I bought a used MK 45 pound thrust 12v foot control ($95, thought that was a pretty good deal) and a newer 35# tiller control came with the boat.  I plan on using the tiller model on the transom, mostly as a keel.  Once I feel all this out, I plan to sell those and upgrade the trolling motor.  I also plan to put a deck on the front of the boat, and carpet the whole thing with 2 seats. I will mostly fish by myself with a partner some times.  I will also be running a small LCR that I got from my brother....plan to upgrade if needed.

 

My question is, would I be better off with 1 large 12 volt batter at the highest amps, projected run time, etc. OR....get 2 12 volt batteries that I hookup in series?  I expect that most of the time I would fishing for 3-5 hours max.  It isn't that windy around here so that is not too much of a consideration.  Also, highly unlikely to be fishing anything with current.

 

Given those circumstances, I am hoping to get some recommendations on 1 vs 2 batteries...whether I should get one say..Group 31, 100AH battery or 2 Group 27s at maybe 80AH each.  I am thinking one Group 31 100Ah would be best as I could get by with a normal battery charger and not have to by a 2 bank charger.  Also, with the one battery, I would only need one set of extension cables in order to put the battery in the back to equalize the weight distribution.

 

One other thing, I had also recently purchased a Coleman Crawdad....12 foot.  Wondering if anyone has experience with both, the Crawdad as well as a 12 foot aluminum boat and how they liked one over the other and why.  My plan is to try both and sell the other...I am thinking the aluminum boat will be the keeper simply because it appears to be easier to put a deck on.

 

 

 

 

[Tennessee Boy]

If you have two batteries and a 12V trolling motor then you will need to wire the batteries in parallel NOT in series.  If wired in series you will be sending 24 volts to the trolling motor.  

 

If two batteries are wired in parallel,  you can charge them as one with a single bank charger.  

 

I think you would be fine with one battery.  My first boat was a 17ft Bass Tracker with a 45lb thrust trolling motor.  I had two batteries wired in parallel and I could fish for two long days without charging but I used the outboard to move from spot to spot.

[Jig Man]

First off congrats on your purchases.  You can go many ways with all that you have. I imagine that your 45# trolling motor will do you a good job.

 

When you are looking at batteries the most important factor for a deep cycle to be used on a trolling motor is RC (reserve capacity) not amp hours.  Get the highest that you can, preferably something around 200 RC.  You shouldn’t need 2 of them unless you plan long days or trolling.

 

You mentioned hooking 2 in series.  Don’t do that.  You would have 24 volts and ruin your trolling motor.  You would have to hook them parallel.

 

I would run some 8 gauge wires instead of jumper cables.

[mheichelbech]

Thanks everyone for the advice on the batteries.  Like I said, it's been a while since I have had a boat and I pretty much have forgotten most things electric related.

[Bird]

I'd just get a 12v 100ah AGM and be done......you could run in all day.

[haggard]

I ran a single 12 V deep cycle RV/marine battery with a 55# trolling motor on a 14' jon and it did fine. I think you'll be good with  a single 12 V setup. If you find it doesn't last long enough you can always add another later on, in parallel (not series). For now start simple and save the additional weight.