Batteries

[Roba22]

As good old Fat AL already knows one of my Batteries ran down real fast saturday morn. I checked it tonight and it was a little low on water but before I did anything I wanted to ask a couple questions. Should I just add more water or is it better to empty/ flush out all the old water and put in new? I know I have to use distilled water and I plan to pick some up tomorrow. But is there anything else i can do that will help out or prolong the life of this battery?

 

[Guest]

No need to flush the old acid out just add distilled water above the plates. The best way to maintain a battery is to not let it get too far down before charging. I bought an onboard charger a couple years ago and I plug it in as soon as I get back from a trip. I have yet to replace a battery since. I'm sure it is coming but so far the onboard has doubled the life of my batteries.

 

[polo-dog]

Like cheez said. Don't drain your battery, all of the electrolytes are in that fluid, just more concentrated since you let the battery go dry. Just add distilled water and charge up. If you need a new battery you might want to try Interstates. They have lasted better than any battery that I have ever had and they keep a charge longer it seems too.

 

[Guest]

10-4 on the Interstates. That is the battery I got when I got my onboard charger. Good stuff.

 

[SpurHunter]

Who is the go-to guy on t-motor instalation battery -wise on CFF? I only have the one battery in the boat right now, and need to install the t-motor, and will have to tie in the exta battery/bateries, and a charger, switch, whatever else I need. I am clueless beyond what I just wrote. 

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[Gator]

I would call John Swallows in Cleveland, phone 423 479-7816. Good luck.

 

[fishinvol]

SpurHunter - 10/16/2007 6:22 AM



Who is the go-to guy on t-motor instalation battery -wise on CFF? I only have the one battery in the boat right now, and need to install the t-motor, and will have to tie in the exta battery/bateries, and a charger, switch, whatever else I need. I am clueless beyond what I just wrote.

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Liveliner helped me out with re-wiring my trolling motor and batteries. He's the man.

 

[hl&s]

Make sure you keep the top of your battery clean. Dirt, moisture, and atmospheric particles can combine to creat a path between the post and cause a constant small drain. I wipe mine off about every 3 months. Also make sure the battery is secure in the tie down. Excessive vibration causes small particles to break off the plates and settle to the bottom. When the debris reaches the bottom of the plates the battery will fail.

Wally world's yellow MAXX batteries are another good choice for trolling. You can also get them made up 24-7 at any location.

Use a charger that tapers the charge depending on temperature and voltage.

 

[Roba22]

Ok it looks like that battery is toast. I added water and it is not taking a good charge now. I hate to say it but it looks like I will have to buy another battery. NOW as for ON board chargers which one should I look at? I have a 91' Tracker Pro-17 and I will have two batteries. I have room for a thired but I can't buy that and another charger too. I want on onboard that will not just charge and shut off. any suggestions? where should I mount it?

 

[Liveliner]

I have a Minn-Kota three bank onboard charger that I am very pleased with. You will need a Two bank charger. I am not picky about the brand, some others may advise you on that. The charger will have two sets of leads that will have a red and a black wire each. One set to each battery, black to negative and red to positive. When you connect your charger to AC current try to use as short of an extension cord as possible and for sure to be certain that it has a gauge(*g) is large enough to support the load (* 16g - Do not use, 14g - 25' max, 12g - 50' max, 10g -all you can afford.)</p>

As far as batteries go, I recommend a great warranty over the most expensive and longest lasting batteries on the market. I would get an Eight year warranty that starts pro-rating after Three years. The first three years has a "No questions asked" free replacement at locations everywhere 24/7. Yes, I am speaking of the Yellow MaxX batteries from Wally-World. They are cheaper than most all other batteries and I can assure you from experience that they are much better than most batteries out there. I would recommend also that you go with Two new identical dual purpose batteries. That way they will charge equally and you then will be able to switch the wiring on your batteries to get your boat started in the event you should drain your starting battery.. That could happen to you. It sure happened to me back when I did not have the MaxX batteries.. My trolling only batteries would not turn my cold engine fast enough to crank it. I had to troll two miles after midnight in freezing February weather to the ramp. Alone and not fun!</p>

 

[fischnrod]

Dual pro charger would be my choice.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...r=46091&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

 

[Guest]

Dual Pro chargers are great but they are the most expensive and the warranty is not that great. Pro Mariner has the best warranty in the business and they build about 80% of the onboard chargers in the world under different names right here in the USA. They have a lifetime warranty and you can buy one at Boater's World on Gunbarrel. Most of the better chargers stay on and maintain your batteries properly. Pro Mariner uses what is called a three step charging process. Start out slow, fully charge the batteries that need it then go to maintenance mode. They also spread the charge evenly to all batteries in the bank. When one battery gets charged they transfer power to the others untill they are charged.

 

[Guest]

You can buy the minn-kota 2 bank onboard battery charger at wallyworld, hook em up and forget em. This charger is around $100.00 with a good warranty. </p>

My 2 cents worth</p>

 

[Liveliner]

Doc1 - 10/17/2007 9:54 AM

You can buy the minn-kota 2 bank onboard battery charger at wallyworld, hook em up and forget em. This charger is around $100.00 with a good warranty. </p>

My 2 cents worth</p>

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[Dropshot]

I currently use a Dual-Pro in my boat. It has not given me any issues. When I replace, I will more than likely move towards Mariner.