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Old 05-12-2008, 10:51 PM
The Fisherman Guy's Avatar
The Fisherman Guy The Fisherman Guy is offline
 
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Default Trolling Motor Battery - Which one?

I bought a new trolling motor, a Minn Kota Maxxum 50lber and I would like some advice from you as to which would be my best option as far as selecting a strong cell.

It is a 12V, will this provide me with enough snot for a full day of fishing? I am running a 15ft Flatback Canoe with approx 400 -500 lbs weight.

Should a guy get two and run them in parallel to gain more run time?
Deep Cycle, gel?? Yes or No??

What is working for you? I appreciate the replies fellas, tight lines
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Old 05-12-2008, 11:07 PM
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Big Bull Big Bull is offline
 
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I have always used deep cycle batteries because they are made to put out amps over a long period of time, unlike a car battery that has to put out a lot of cranking amps for short periods of time. I have no experience with gel batteries, but they are more expensive. I would just run the batteries separately, because it is best to drain deep cycle batteries as low as you can before recharging. Apparently, if you only discharge a new battery to half of its capacity a few times, it will develop a memory, and you won't get the full potential from it. Also, get yourself a deep cycle charger. I've had the best luck with the Energizer deep cycle batteries from Walmart - best bang for your buck!
If you run two of these in parallel, you could probably go all weekend if you are just trolling. I also check the water level in each cell before putting them on the charger, and add enough distilled water to cover the plates in each cell. This motor should have no problem pushing your canoe around.
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Old 05-13-2008, 07:17 AM
tonyflyfish tonyflyfish is offline
 
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Location: Edmonton
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Default I use

2 deep cells from Canadian Tire (one at a time) and one battery will do a whole day. I use the same combo for my 12 ft Jon Boat but often need to go to battery number two, when using the boat.

To charge them I plug them into the invertor on the RV over night for a full charge or sometimes use a 10 amp charger for a few hours.

No matter what others say I find they need all night to re charge.

Have fun!
T
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  #4  
Old 05-13-2008, 07:51 AM
briverb briverb is offline
 
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Default Kirkland from Costco

I get the biggest deep cycle Kirkland batteries from Costco. I think they are 115 amp hours ??? The go for around $60. I use 2.

I have a flatback canoe as well and can go all day on one battery with my 55lb thrust minnekota.

I also have a 13 foot zodiac that I only use my electric motors on. I have only had to switch to the second battery once, but it is always better to have 2 of them just in case.

Me and my friends have been using these batteries for years without problem.
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  #5  
Old 05-13-2008, 08:00 AM
skykomish sunrise's Avatar
skykomish sunrise skykomish sunrise is offline
 
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i have one of both types...the gel cell seems to put out a little longer even though they are the same ah. other nice thing is i dont have to worry about it cuz it is sealed and wont leak even upside down.
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Old 05-13-2008, 08:30 AM
Ace Ace is offline
 
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I bought the second biggest Kirkland deep cycle battery. I use it for a 30# electric on my canoe. I can use it for 2 days on a full charge.

See ya
Ace
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Old 05-13-2008, 01:23 PM
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Big Bull Big Bull is offline
 
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I'll be looking into those Kirkland batteries. Briverb, are you sure about that price? Seems too good to be true.
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  #8  
Old 05-13-2008, 01:31 PM
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JohninAB JohninAB is offline
 
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Here is a very good site that discusses batteries.

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm
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  #9  
Old 05-14-2008, 12:44 AM
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The Fisherman Guy The Fisherman Guy is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by briverb View Post
I get the biggest deep cycle Kirkland batteries from Costco. I think they are 115 amp hours ??? The go for around $60. I use 2.

I have a flatback canoe as well and can go all day on one battery with my 55lb thrust minnekota.
I purchased one today for 254 bucks from partsource. A marine deep cycle, small enough to fi in my minn kota battery box. Why does this seem so expensive???
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  #10  
Old 05-14-2008, 01:06 AM
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FisherPotch FisherPotch is offline
 
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Good thread, I've been doing some debating on what I should be doing as I think I killed my batt last year. I'ma big fan of costco may have to get into a batt from them. I noticed last I was there that they had them batt's that look like an extra large sixpack, whats with that?

200+ dollars for a battery is an insane amount.
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  #11  
Old 05-14-2008, 07:33 AM
tonyflyfish tonyflyfish is offline
 
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Default batteries

Who cares about the money they look like a six pack!! LOL
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  #12  
Old 05-14-2008, 07:41 AM
Ace Ace is offline
 
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I think my Kirkland from Costco was around $60 as well. Something's not right with that price.

Ace
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  #13  
Old 08-13-2013, 08:38 AM
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Speckle55 Speckle55 is offline
 
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I have use just any Deepcycle battery that is a R28 or bigger R32 and has 180 min too 210 res .. I take 2 per day but I am pushing a 14ft alum and my motor is a 55 mini kota with a maximizer variable speed .. I have been using Deepcycle batteries for over 30yrs on Maligne Lake and get about 7 to 10 yrs from them if I charge every 3 months . also have used Cat Deepcycle battries at 410 minute res .. I use a 2amp trickle charger and have a hand held mini kota battery meter too check charge .. I try to get minimum 12.8 to 13 per charge reading after taking off charging for 2 hrs

you can run a battery out very quick if you are wide open(100%) it last a hour R28

also I use one battery at a time

hope this helps

David

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fisherman Guy View Post
I bought a new trolling motor, a Minn Kota Maxxum 50lber and I would like some advice from you as to which would be my best option as far as selecting a strong cell.

It is a 12V, will this provide me with enough snot for a full day of fishing? I am running a 15ft Flatback Canoe with approx 400 -500 lbs weight.

Should a guy get two and run them in parallel to gain more run time?
Deep Cycle, gel?? Yes or No??

What is working for you? I appreciate the replies fellas, tight lines
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