View Full Version : Why not use a jumpstarter as a trolling motor battery?
Is there a reason a jumpstarter could not be used as the primary power source for a 12v/55lb thrust trolling motor. There are a couple of units made by K+K Automotive Products that I am considering. One has 660 cranking amps / 1100 peak amps and the other is 950ca/2000pa. Are peak amps the same as "amp hour rating" ? If one of these starters could be used, it seems like it would be a really versatile and convenient way to go.
GR8WTHUNTER
03-25-2002, 07:49 PM
Nice to have one stowed away incase your starter battery goes dead. Reserve power would concern me. Take one out and put it to the test as a trolling battery and let us know how long it lasted.
I think I recall seeing an amp/hr rating of only around 18 amp/hrs on a couple of models I looked at around Christmas time. Most trolling batteries have a rating of 105 amp/hr and up.
If it's not a deep cycle battery it won't last very many charge/discharge cycles.
Mike
W'eyes Guy
03-25-2002, 08:30 PM
I used one of these for a 35# thrust Minn-Kota last year. It worked great, And lasted pretty much all day on my canoe. I even cut the clamps off and installed a cigarette lighter plug' which made it very convenient to use since the jump-starter I have is equipped with accessory port. The nice thing was that you just had to plug it in to recharge it. Don't know how long it will last with a larger motor or larger boat, but it worked well for my application.
#610
targa2
03-25-2002, 08:45 PM
The problem with using a starter type battery for this application is that the longevity of is use will suffer. Each time you draw down a starter battery beyond a certain reserve level and don't charge it up almost immediately it loses a small percentage of its maximum charge capacity.If you can get them for real cheap and aren't using them for anything too demanding I say go for it.For serious jobs go with deep cycle.With proper maintenance you should get 2 or 3 years of heavy use from them.
I called the distributor of K+K products and he did not recommend using a jumpstarter for a trolling motor power source. He said the units are design for short bursts of energy and not long slow drains. Sure would be a sweet set-up if these guys desinged a unit for marine use. So now that I am back to the conventional deep cycle battery route, who has the best battery for the $$$ ? Thanks, JAG