New boat owner - not sure what battery to buy

[dtrout]

I just bought a 14ft jon boat that came with a trailer and a 12v 55 lb thrust Minn Kota prop. No battery though. I plan on using it to take my kids fishing on the lakes and ponds around me that are electric only so it would be my sole source of propulsion. What battery would you recommend without breaking the bank. Should I get two or would one be sufficient? How heavy are they? I would be sitting in the back and obviously the heaviest person. Should I have the battery in the front? Also I read somewhere that I need a circuit breaker and a box for it? 

 

Here is what I was looking at:

Battery:

https://www.amazon.com/VMAX-MR127-100-Battery-Control-Trolling/dp/B01N6VXH5Q/ref=sr_1_5?crid=R2L0V9VZPD8H&dchild=1&keywords=vmax+mr127-100&qid=1625250615&sprefix=vmax+mr12%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-5

 

Circuit Breaker:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V4DTXVN/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=ada35c536f609f8c1c6263c9c3e29de5&hsa_cr_id=1464598500901&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=58ef52ee-5c38-4cc1-87a0-873d21d6a021&pd_rd_w=IMZOO&pd_rd_wg=AhkzE&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_0_img

 

Box:

https://www.amazon.com/attwood-9067-1-Power-Vented-Battery/dp/B001O0D6QK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=marine+battery+box&qid=1625250944&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFRNTA1WDRLRDBLQzcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA3NzAwMjAzTUE1QjNMV1hGTk1NJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0NDQ0MzczNjA0UTQ4VDkzRjlOJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

Any information helps. Thank you for reading.

[MN Fisher]

Battery should be good for a couple hours...a 55# Minnkota will pull 50amps of power at max speed...and you don't want to drain an AGM down to zero. Running at max, you got about 90 minutes on a 100AH battery...slower speeds use less power and give you more time on the water.

 

Dump the Atwood box and the separate circuit breaker - get a Minnkota Power Center or a Newport Vessels Smart box - both have built in circuit breakers and auxiliary ports for things like phone charging, fishfinders, etc.

[Jig Man]

If you have a Sam’s Club near you, you can buy a group 31 for less money.  What ever you get high reserve capacity is what you need.

[dtrout]

https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-agm-deep-cycle-marine-and-rv-battery-group-size-31dtmagm/prod3590232?xid=plp_product_6

 

Like this one?

I like the suggestion for the Minnkota Power Center. I think that's what I'll buy for the box.

[MN Fisher]

8 minutes ago, dtrout said:

https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-agm-deep-cycle-marine-and-rv-battery-group-size-31dtmagm/prod3590232?xid=plp_product_6

 

Like this one?

I like the suggestion for the Minnkota Power Center. I think that's what I'll buy for the box.

That Duracell at Sams is less power than 100ah - looks to be a 95AH

 

The Power Center will not fit a Group-31 battery - Group-24 or Group-27...

[E-rude dude]

Your can buy 2 deep cycle 31M batteries for that price and run around all day. Just hook them up in parallel. 

[GaryH]

23 hours ago, E-rude dude said:

Your can buy 2 deep cycle 31M batteries for that price and run around all day. Just hook them up in parallel. 

If you have the space this is the way to go. ☝️☝️☝️☝️

[Junk Fisherman]

On 7/2/2021 at 3:41 PM, dtrout said:

https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-agm-deep-cycle-marine-and-rv-battery-group-size-31dtmagm/prod3590232?xid=plp_product_6

 

Like this one?

I like the suggestion for the Minnkota Power Center. I think that's what I'll buy for the box.

 

If they have that battery in stock, that is a good choice.  If not, Battery Plus has Duracell AGM and wet cells.  My Duracell wet cells have been great.  If you are looking to save some money, go with the wet cell.  

[Born 2 fish]

I use a Duracell 31 on my bass raider and a minn Kota endura max 55 and it lasts me hours I’ve never ran it dead.

[newbiedmv]

On 7/2/2021 at 5:00 PM, E-rude dude said:

Your can buy 2 deep cycle 31M batteries for that price and run around all day. Just hook them up in parallel. 

This will work with one "condition". Do or compare the lot numbers of the batteries. They need to be the same for a half way balanced discharge. Otherwise the weaker battery takes all the load.