opinions on deep cycle battery

[Yannick Loranger]

My Canadian Tire Nautilus is just about dead...again. I want to upgrade to 2 deep cycles for my trolling motor. Can anyone recommend a solid brand and/or dealer/store where I can purchase said brand?
Thanks!

Yannick

[moonshine]

total battery would be a good place to start

[cprince]

Can't help you with what and where... but this is how!



Craig

[Raminator]

I have 2 nautilus batts., they aren't wired in parallel,and I get a full day out of each one,2-3 seasons old,running a motorguide55 wireless ,my main is a nautilus also,and it never seems to have trouble cranking the xr4 merc and running the rest of the show,I would buy another,some trolling motors are plain old inneficient. if I was buying new I would rather just spend the $225 and buy a new optima.

[Raminator]

I have 2 nautilus batts., they aren't wired in parallel,and I get a full day out of each one,2-3 seasons old,running a motorguide55 wireless ,my main is a nautilus also,and it never seems to have trouble cranking the xr4 merc and running the rest of the show,I would buy another,some trolling motors are plain old inneficient. if I was buying new I would rather just spend the $225 and buy a new optima.

[horsehunter]

I am on years 4 and 5 on 2 Exide deep cycle/starting ( Wally World)no complaints will probably replace the older one next spring after I use it all winter in the fish hut.

[pasquini]

Have had great sucess with Nautilus batteries over the years. I currently have a 625MCA Nautilis starting battery which i purchased in 2003 and a 750MCA Deep Cycle Nautilus which I purchased in 2004. Neither battery has ever let me down. The secret to battery longevity is good maintenance practices. Fluid levels are checked regulary and the deep cycle gets recharged after every use. I use a Motomaster Eliminator smart charger with digital technology. It has a 12/8/2 amps charging capacity. Winter storage is always inside on a shelf (not on a concrete floor) and a monthly date with the charger to keep both batteries fresh. I paid approx $75 for the starting barrety and approx $110 for the deep cycle. Don`t see the value in paying $250 plus for the new AGM batteries.

[Yannick Loranger]

I don't know what I'm doing wrong. My last Nautilus only lasted a season. The one I have now is giving me no more than 3-4 hrs. It's recharged after each use with my onboard charger. I didn't think to check the fluid level. I'll do that tonight. I'm using it to run a 55lbs Minn Kota that apparently has the system that maximizes battery life. I'll keep you guys posted, but it looks like an upgrade is immininent.

Thanks,
Yannick

[pasquini]

Fisherguy, some on-board chargers have different settings for different types of batteries (Flooded vs AGM). Make sure it is set correctly. Also remember reading an article in a boating magazine comparing various on-board chargers. Some are very sensitive to input voltages in order to get maximum charge. Avoid using an extension cord if you can. One final point, when my deep cycle is deeply discharged it can take longer than 24 hrs to re-charge. Are you sure you are giving it enough time? Might also want to try taking it out of the boat and charging separately.

Good luck

[Yannick Loranger]

The "charged" light on the charger is lit.
Anyway, I just took the battery out of the boat, the inboard charger was still plugged and the "charged" light lit. I put the battery on my battery charger and it says 68% so I'm now charging with my charger. I'll let it be for an hour or so and then check the % again.

[Flipper]

I haven't used Nautilus deep cycles in the last 12 years but I too found they only lasted about a year. I thought that was normal at the time.
Next was Interstate which lasted five years then went to Trojan which is now on it's sixth season with. I use them almost daily when bass season is open so they do get a lot of use.

[Wrexxer]

I don't want to hiajck the thread but if I was to run 2 batteries in paralell could I still charge both on 1 bank off my on board charger?

[almontefisher]

I don't want to hiajck the thread but if I was to run 2 batteries in paralell could I still charge both on 1 bank off my on board charger?

Yeah sorry Yan but I am curious on this parallel run of batteries...does it draw current from both equally so it makes them last longer. In turn why not have a switch to change from one to another. I am no electrician or electrical engineer so I do not know the laws of physics for batteries.

[cprince]

The only advantage I know of having two 12v wired parallel is that you do not have to switch the cables over when they drain.

It will drain at the same combined rate as they would added individually.

12volt bat "A" gives 6 hrs of Trolling motor life...
12volt bat "B" gives 6 hrs of Trolling motor life...

Wired together parallel will give you 12 hrs of trolling motor life. You just don't have to rummage through your compartment to switch them over.

I charge them together like that too... it is likely harder on your bat charger... but I couldn't care less. It just takes twice as long than if you were charging one at a time.

It is (As far as I know) 4 quarters for a dollar. Even Steven... just a little easier in my opinion.

Wiring two batteries together in series is helpful and my goal for next year. I want to get two 6 volt Jesus batteries and wire them together. You know the kind... the ones used on forklifts or golf carts!!!!

Craig

[Wrexxer]

You could always have 4x6volts...2x series connected in paralell to the 2 other in series lol.....

I was just wondering about the charger because I have a 2 bank charger but I like to keep one on the crank battery!

Cprince do you have your paralell setup connected to your alternator for automatic charge? i've been thinking of doing that as well...