Battery question

[Smithvillesteve]

Not another battery question!!  I bought a used boat a couple of months ago. The owner was not sure how old the 2 batteries were for the trolling motor. 24 volt system. And neither battery has dates punched out. I went to Stockton lake on friday to target walleyes. Batteries were charged. I started dragging a bottom bouncer into a light wind. Used the trolling motor so i could go 1.0 to 1.2 mph. After 2 hrs my test light showed 1 light meaning batttery power was low. Is this usual after 2 hrs? Should i just break down and get 2 new deep cycle batteries? Anyway just thought i would ask you boys. Thanks for any advice offered. Hope you dont get too much rain!!

[fishinwrench]

Look on all sides (and the bottom) of the battery to see if it has a date of manufacture sticker on it. 

If they are 3 years old, or older.....just scrap them.

[Dutch]

So what do you suppose that 3/19 sticker is all about.

[fishinwrench]

13 minutes ago, Dutch said:

So what do you suppose that 3/19 sticker is all about.

It came off the assembly line in March of 2019 

This particular one is just over 2 years old and was probably left uncharged for too long.....cuz it's toast.  

[Wesley]

Can you get two hours straight trolling?  I am not sure you can? Even with new batteries??  Anybody know?

[fishinwrench]

6 minutes ago, Wesley said:

Can you get two hours straight trolling?  I am not sure you can? Even with new batteries??  Anybody know?

Today's trolling motors are built with a circuit that pulses the voltage to conserve battery charge % .   That is the main function of the "mother board".

I've never tested it, but I would almost bet that you'll get more total TIME continuous running than you can get by repeatedly switching on and off.    Because when first switched ON you get a blast of full unregulated voltage.  

[nomolites]

14 minutes ago, Wesley said:

Can you get two hours straight trolling?  I am not sure you can? Even with new batteries??  Anybody know?

Have done so many times...there are variables like wind, trolling speed, and what other features are operating(autopilot, speed control, etc.) with wind being the largest variable.  If you are set up correctly you can troll for a long time, quite a bit longer than 2 hours.  If you intend to troll using the electric motor it pays to run the largest AGM batteries you can fit(I run 31s).  If it is too rough or windy I troll using a 9.9 hp kicker motor and only use the electric for added boat control, but in a good wind I’m usually casting.

Mike

[rps]

2 hours ago, nomolites said:

Have done so many times...there are variables like wind, trolling speed, and what other features are operating(autopilot, speed control, etc.) with wind being the largest variable.  If you are set up correctly you can troll for a long time, quite a bit longer than 2 hours.  If you intend to troll using the electric motor it pays to run the largest AGM batteries you can fit(I run 31s).  If it is too rough or windy I troll using a 9.9 hp kicker motor and only use the electric for added boat control, but in a good wind I’m usually casting.

Mike

What he said ^^^

Bottom bouncing at 1 to 1.4 mph with a 24 volt set up = a full day. Long line trolling at 2 to 2.5 mph = more than 4, maybe even 6 hours. Of course it also depends on how many times you have charged and discharged the battery, and what other devices you have attached.

https://www.trollingmotors.net/blogs/selection/86961351-calculating-motor-run-time

amp draw information for my 24 volt Force

https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/forcetrollingmotor/EN-US/GUID-9BEB843E-2C2B-450E-B9B2-F4C9F29D0C2E.html

 

[Bill Babler]

No problem with 31’s at 1.5 you should go all day long. 

[mmirg]

I trolled for 6 hours into the current at 1.1 on Bull shoals 3 weeks ago before the batteries started feeling it.  Terrova 24v 18' fiberglass bass boat.