trolling motor question

[deadminnowcatcher]

I have a 18 ft. lund that has a 24 volt trolling motor on the front. I believe it is 48 lbs of thrust or 55 at the most. It has auto pilot. I no longer fish in tournaments and would rather have a 12 volt trolling motor so i do not need 2 batteries. What 12 volt trolling motor would be comparible???? thinking of selling the 24 volt and buying new 12 volt????

[WaveWacker]

I hate to contradict you, but fishing tournaments or not, I think you'd be making a big mistake in going to a 12V system with that boat. I think that you may end up finding that on a good day of fishing (especially in any wind) that you'd be hauling along another battery anyway. If the problem is handling the batteries to charge them up, it will probably be less expensive to get an on board charger and then you won't have to take batteries out of the boat.

With that said, you can still look at an autopilot in a comparable lb thrust that will be 12V.

[firebug]

Say with that 18' boat I'm not sure if a 12 volt system would be the way to go. You will lose in thrust power and in battery life. Minn Kota's biggest 12 volt motor is 55#. also bygoing with a 12 volt system your options for shaft length are limited. You still are going to be fishing why not keep fishing with a 24volt system and without having to fight steering. If you down size your boat go with a 12volt.This is just my opinion.

[deadminnowcatcher]

i have had very poor luck with my batteries. I seem to only get a couple years out of them. Not sure if i am doing everything the correct way. If i got an onboard charger would that help??? how often should i then check the water level in them??? and what is the correct level??? Where is a good place to purchase an onboard charger that will install for a reasonable price????

[BobT]

I might be able to answer a couple of your questions.

Would an on-board charger help? Perhaps if you use it. What I mean is, to extend the life of your batteries they should always be recharged as soon as possible. Leaving a battery set with low charge is not good for it, especially if there is a risk of freezing temperatures. The on-board charger is nice because it eliminates the need to hook up every time you want to charge your batteries. All you have to do is plug it in to a 120v outlet.

How often should I check the water level in them? The water level in batteries should be checked regularly. The level should be maintained above the plates. Plates that become exposed are subject to contamination and this is not good. I usually fill mine to the bottom of the tube you see inside. The best is to use distilled water but I have had good luck with the filtered and soft water from my tap.

By the nature of your questions, I also agree that going to 12v is not the answer. As far as increasing running time goes, using 2 batteries in a 12v configuration or 24v will result in very similar overall running time. Going to just one 12v battery will cut your running time in half. This is because the power or watts consumed is the same for the same thrust. The advantage to using 24v systems is that the current draw is less and so you can use smaller wire. If you change from 55# 24v motor circuit to a 55# 12v circuit you may have to replace the supply wires as well.

Hope this helps.

Bob

[Whoaru99]

Quote:

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I might be able to answer a couple of your questions.

Would an on-board charger help?

Perhaps if you use it. What I mean is, to extend the life of your batteries they should always be recharged as soon as possible. Leaving a battery set with low charge is not good for it, especially if there is a risk of freezing temperatures. The on-board charger is nice because it eliminates the need to hook up every time you want to charge your batteries. All you have to do is plug it in to a 120v outlet.

Bob

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For me, the answer is DEFINITELY to the on-board charger.

My three batteries are 7 years and some odd months old (just checked the date code stickers). The starting battery is a bit weaker now, but still works. The two trolling batteries seem fine.

I'm going to run them until they're un-useable just to see how long they will go. These are not any fancy batteries. The starting battery is an Exide starting/deep cycle and the trolling batteries are Stowaway brand.

My OB charger has an equalization setting that I activate occasionally that is supposed to keep the plates clean and de-sulphated.

Dunno if I'm just lucky, if it's the charger or the equalization, or just good charging practices. I suspect a bit of all. Regardless, something right is going on and that OB charger has long since payed for itself in battery cost and less overall hassles.

BobT is right on the money. In general terms, one 12V battery will last 1/2 as long as two 12V batteries no matter how you hook those two together. Again, that is assuming the motors are of comparable thrust rating and technology.