Batteries

Question
I currently have the wrong battery for my trolling motor.  My trolling motor has 42lbs of thrust, my boat is 18'6''.  It runs out in about two hours.  I want to put in two deep cycle batteries, how can I wire them for a 12 volt system. And what kind should I buy, I fish club tournaments. So I need something to last all day.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Brian,

There are a couple issues here.  First of all I think that you may be a little under powered with 42# on a boat that big and the motor is working pretty hard.  Second, the battery must be tired because it should last longer than that.

I'd try one new deep cycle first and see how long that lasts for you.  I only have a 16'-6" boat, but my 46# motor will run for three days before I need to charge it.  

As far as what kind to buy, I am a cheapskate and I have never spent more than $59.99 (Wal-Mart, Fleet-Farm, Etc.) on a big 27 size Deep Cycle.  They last about 5 years and then I trade them in.  Some of the new gel-cells can go $200.  

The key is to keep them charged.  As soon as you are done fishing, get it back on the charger and get it fully charged.  If you don't use the boat for three to four weeks, put it back on the charger. I recharge them on the first saturday of the month all winter long when I'm not fishing.  

If one battery isn't enough you will need to run two in parallel.  I hesitate to give rigging advise for this in just words.  If you choose to do this, ask a local marine dealer how to do it.  Running in parallel, the current is shared between the two batteries and increases capacity.

I found this website that may help answer some questions.

http://marine-electronics.net/techarticle/battery_faq/b_faq.htm

Good fishing and good luck in your tournaments.

Marc