Battery ??? Charger???

[cnags]

I have two Minn Kota trolling batteries,with a full charge I can slow troll for six hours before they start to die.I have a Dual Pro Charger,I plug in asap when I get off the water.This won't charge both batteries in time to go the next day.Do I need a better charger?(maybe on-board) or better batteries?? Has anyone tried those Evertroll batteries??

[Fred_G]

I think your problem is in the batteries, not the charger. Look into the absorbed glass mat batteries. They charge much faster than wet cells and will last far longer. They also don't require the maintenance of wet cells. Bass Pro has them in their spring catalogue for about $160. Fred

[Weyes1]

You didn't say how old they were. Nor did you state what amp your charger was.
Here's a little information I have found to be helpful in the past.
1. Check your water level: Low levels charge slower.
2. Old batteries charge slower.
3. Run your batteries down completely as often as you can then recharge them. (As soon as posible)
4. Make sure your connections are clean, same goes for the battery itself. Dirty batteries don't charge as fast or hold a charge as long.
5. Make sure you pull your batteries off your boat during the winter if you are done for the winter. If you still use your boat during the winter, recharge you batteries once a month. The cold and low charge can warp the plates inside.

Hope some of this information helps, and I hope the information I posted is correct. I just started following this information this year and my batteries are doing pretty good. If I posted anything wrong please correct me so that I may get this correct myself.

Weyes1
Kevin Clark

[Starfish]

The part about recharging as soon as possible is correct, but with lead-acid batteries, DON'T fully discharge if at all possible (unlike ni-cad batteries, they don't have a "memory"). Fully discharging batteries makes them susceptible to both sulfating (especially in warm conditions) and freezing. Either way the battery is toast. Charging them right away is the best way to avoid both problems. "Deep Cycle" means they can tolerate full discharge better than regular batteries, but they still can't handle it forever.

[Beetle]

These guys bring up some very good ideas. I'm going to copy it off cause my memory isn't worth a hoot. Some other tips?
Check each cell with a hydrometer. could be a dead cell or two.
After charging, hook batts. up to a load tester. If they are good ,they should bounce right back to at or near full charge.
I'm going on my 3rd year with ever start (walmart) group 27 batteries. 2 for trolling, 1 for starting. All hooked up to a Pro Tournament 30-3 on board charger. Plug it in as soon as I get home and twice a month when not in use. Don't have to worry about overcharging with an onboard charger either. This is not a product endorsement, but that charger was a smart move for me. I don't have to carry around a charger to motels or cover it up incase of rain, ect. Herb

[Cnags]

Thanks for all the replies.The batteries were new last spring.What is the best on-board charger??

[ufda]

I didn't see any comments about recharging while running. I have an on board guest charger and recharge when I get home, but while on the lake I have a switch so that I can send current from the alternator on the Honda to charge any one of the batteries while running down the lake. It may not recharge them fully, but certainly extends the amount of time I can run the trolling motors. Am I missing something? Doesn't anyone else do this?
ufda

[Beetle]

ufda, you bet I do. My Alumacraft Phantom has just what you're talking about, only it took me a couple years to find out about it. My dealer didn't even know it was on the boat. It is nice though.
Herb

[Mike B. - OK]

Guest makes an excellent charger, and stand behind their products. I have one in my Pro-V, and really like it.

[Glen]

cnags....
I was just the the Midwest Walleye expo this weekend and spent some time with Ralph from Waleye Central and Terry from Thermoil and they are selling a product that you may be interested in. It is called Thermoil. It is an oil additive that goes in each battery and stops the oxidation process and greatly reduces the amount of water loss most batteries experience. The provided me with a pamphlet on the product, but the neatest thing they had was a certified test that Thermoil had done where 4 batteries were hooked in series and two of the batteries had Thermoil in them and two did not. These batteries were charged and recharged for 30 consecutive days. At the end, the two batteries without thermoil lost 1 pound of water each. I was amazed at that fact. The thermoil batteries did not lose any water. Some of the other things on this pamphlet are increased battery life, reduced risk of explosion, no toxic odor of electrolyte. I spend almost three hours with these two guys "drilling" them to make sure that the product does what it says. I think the convincing fact was they had a glass container with water in it and they added the Thermoil. THE THERMOIL DID NOT MIX WITH THE WATER AND ACTUALLY SAT ON TOP OF THE WATER. Wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it. If you are lookng for their website it is
www.thermoilbatteries.com.

If you are wondering, after the three hours I did get three bottles of thermoil(1 for each battery) and plan to try it this year in my boat with my trolling motor.


Glen

[Beetle]

Glen,
Maybe I had to be there, I don't know.
But the old saying goes; Oil and water don't mix.
Herb

[Glen]

Beetle....
You couldn't be more right on the head. Oil and water do not mix. That is what makes THERMOIL so great. The oil actually sits on top of the water and prevents the gases that occur during charging from escaping, thereby reducing the water loss and corrosion on your battery.

Glen

[Beetle]

Glen,
got it now. Is this thermoil easy to get? How about a price?
Herb

[Glen]

Beetle.....
Contact Walleye Central. They are selling it online(or will be soon). I would contact Ralph Mucilli or Scott Golden and they can provide the necessary information for you to purchase the Thermoil. Scott's email is scott@walleyecentral.com. Ralph's is chatman@walleyecentral.com.

Glen Bunnell