24 V motorguide help

[bostonwhaler]

Hey, I have a 67lb thrust on my little skeeter. I have noticed that I am loosing power faster than I thought I should. halfway thru the day today I really lost allot of momentum. ( time before that the batteries seemed to not hold up either) when I get home my voltage meter says there is still 12.32 volts in each. from my research that is still over 50% charge.
Any thoughts

[CNs]

How old are the batteries?

Do you plug them into a proper charger after each outing?

Are they deep cycle batteries?


What size are they? (27,29,31)

[bostonwhaler]

my batteries are group 24, 80 min reserve. Yes I charger them at 2 amps with a charger that has a deepcycle battery setting. they are 2 seasons old, only been used about a dozen times or so

[lape0019]

My guess is you are either not charging therm long enough or you need to top them up with distilled water.

I used to have a 2 bank 4/4 amp smart charger and it would take about 12-14 hours to fully charge my deep cycle and starting battery so I imagine you are looking at closer to 20 hours to fully charge 1 of your deep cycle batteries. And make sure you understand what the charger is telling you. I did not fully understand my old charger so when both lights came on, it meant they were almost fully charged and went into a different mode. When both lights turned off, the batteries were fully charged. The first few times, I only charged the batteries to the two lights and had terrible battery life. When I went back and read the directions, I noticed a huge difference.

[bostonwhaler]

I'll check it out, will have to try and find a manual for my charger, its a Canadian tire jobbie

[CNs]

You should be looking into type 29 or 31 batteries if you are going to replace them.

The charger should go into float mode when fully charged. Don;t spare any expense on the charger. They will save you tons of grief time and batteries

[bostonwhaler]

thanks for the info guys. I might retire these to my ice shack and get some bigger ones for the spring. Type 31 have a longer life?

[lape0019]

If you are going to retire them I would go a minimumum with a group 29. They last a little longer on the water (Have a higher reserve capacity) and don't take up that much more room. Mine are rated for 120 min reserve compared to your 80 so just going up the one size will really help you out.

The battery charger will make the difference on how long (years wise) these new batteries last you.
Adam

[plowjock]

I would look at jumping up to the series 29 or 31 Deep cycle batteries, 31 being preferred. Secondly get yourself a real good charger. If you have 3 batteries in your boat, get a 3 bank. It may cost you money in the start, but long term, it will save you money. look at the Noco genius 3 bank. I'm not pro staff or anything, but check with Jones trolling motors down in Texarkana , Arkansas. Putting the right Battery charger in will get you extra life for your batteries.
I used to get at best 3 years out of my 31 batteries, now running on my 5th year in my boat with a real good charger Noco genius 3 bank. I plug it in when I get back from a days fishing, and unplug it when I see the batteries are charged up. When I'm planning on going out again, I'll plug the charger in overnight to top up the batteries.
In the winter, I plug in about once a month to top up the batteries. I know my charger has the float service built in. I just do NOT trust something electrical, and besides that I also like my house, and garage a lot. How many fires have been started by something failing in a battery charger, boiling a battery dry, shorting etc.???