Battery Questions

[Steve Johansen]

I am wondering if my batteries are starting to die or if I am expecting too much out of them.



I have a 1993 190 DC. 2 years ago I replace the trolling motor batteries with the deep cycle (blue top) Optimas that Costco sells. At first I had no issues but after 2 years of use I am wondering if they are starting to fail.



By the end of the day's fishing I notice that the trolling motor isn't what it was in the morning, but I am demanding more from them than I have been in the past.



I am running 2 sounders, one is a Humminbird 525 and the other is a Humminbird 725si. I have also started using the stereo a lot more than I had in the past.



Would 2 freshly charged Optimas run the trolling motor, 2 sounders and a stereo all day? Well I can tell you that the ones I have in my boat don't. The batteries have a 3 year free replacement, as well they were bought at Costco so returning them shouldn't be a problem but am I going to have the same problem with 2 new ones? Do the sounders draw much power? I know the side imaging one gets warm so that tells me that there is some serious load on the system with just that, let alone the other stuff.



Thanks for your replies and ideas!



Steve

 

[Michael Meier]

Best to get them load tested. Everything else is speculation.

 

[Mike Clayton]

I agree with Michael....but if you have a meter ( I prefer the Analog type ) after charging and disconnected from charger check your volts, then next day re-check to see if they are holding charge, a good battery will hold 12.6 to 12.9 volts....My opinion is that your radio is draining more than the sounders but together they all will rob you of power to your trolling motor.....just my .02..

 

[Mini]

is it a 24v system?



or are you using one to st art and one to run a trolling motor (12v)?



if you are using a 24v system, why do you have anything other than the trolling motor connteced to the trolling motor batteries?



where is your radio connected to?



Lots of questions....but you are correct in your thinking. Blue tops shouldnt have a problem in either scenario if wired maintained and charged correctly.

 

[Texas Transplant]

I have one of the 'better' Sears portable chargers. Various settings for battery type, and also able to tell you the voltage and % charge. I don't use it to 'charge' the batteries on the boat (that I used to have); but certainly did use it to see how the batteries were doing holding a charge. If you have one, or know someone that does, use it. If not, suggest taking it to Sears, and have them tested. I'm fairly certain that if you simply pull the boat up to the Sears Auto garage, they will 'roll out' their portable tester and check them for you (of course hoping that they will be able to sell you a replacement). Sears is usually pretty good about that.



Alternately take them off and take them to an autozone, reileys, etc. and have them tested.



Tex

 

[Steve Johansen]

Oops, one of the sounders is a 798cisi. I run the trolling motor on 24V all the time. I wired in 2 accessory fuse panels, 1 under each console, to run accessories. Both of these fuse panels are connected to one of the Optimas, as I didn't want a constant drain on the battery that I am expecting to start the boat and get me home. The only things wired to the starting battery are the things that were wired from the factory like the livewell pumps, the bilge pump, nav lights, etc. One of the Optimas is running my stereo, 1 of the sounders, as well as the trolling motor. The other is just running the other sonar and the trolling motor.



I have a small hand-held load tester so I will check each one after they are charged.



Does the alternator on my 1993 Evinrude 150hp have enough power (amps) to help out all 3 batteries?



Is a 4th battery for my 'toys' a way to go or am I just getting out of control?



Thanks for all of your responses so far. This isn't going to remedy itself overnight so I'll keep you posted as to what I find and do about it.



Thanks again!

 

[T AMBURGEY]

I agree with Mini, the trolling batteries should be just that, nothing else on them. I have 2 hds units and all my pumps and lights on my starting battery.

 

[Mini]

I have a 24v system also. Only the trolling motor is conncted to it. Nothing else.



I also have 2 cranking batteries on a switch (1, 2, 1+2) to crank the motor. Everything that the boat came with is on cranking battery 1 (lights, pumps, etc.). All of my electronics are connected to cranking battery 2 (120watt amp, HDS8, LSS-1, Sirius Radio and Weather, LCX28HDc, two powerpoles, VHF radio). I usually run with the switch in position 1+2 so my outboard alternator will charge both batteries while running. My onboard charger will do the same. If I switch to just 1 or 2 thats the only one that will charge or start the motor. Also my onboard charger is the ProXtraII version that will charge the trolling motor batteries from the outboard once the cranking battery(ies) reach 13.5 volts.



This system seems to be working well. Last year I only had one cranking battery,no power poles, no amplifier and no VHF radio. I lost cranking power by mid day. Almost cost me a tournament but I made it back in the nick of time with a jump. Had 22.5 in the box 8 miles from the ramp with 9 minutes to go....too close for comfort



Again as far as your wiring....I would isolate the trolling motor batteries and let them do their own thing. Connect everything else up to a supplemental fuse panel which is connected to a "house" battery and run all your electronics off that.



good luck!

 

[Steve Johansen]

I was thinking that exactly. I just didn't want to have to put another battery in there if I could avoid it.



What onboard charger would you suggest? I have one now that just charges the 2 trolling motor batteries when I'm ashore and plugged in. If I was to have 4 batteries onboard would you use anything different or just use the 1/2/1+2 switch to control what the charging system of the outboard charges while running?



I almost only fish small lakes around here so the batteries wouldn't get much of a chance to get charged during a typical day's fishing for me as well.



Thanks again!

 

[Mini]

Definately spring for the three bank if you can get it. I have a Rager branded Charging Systems International (Dual Pro 3 bank w/ProXtraII).



Get those Optimas checked out too, with that warranty they should replace them. Hint: make sure you run them down prior to taking them in