New boat need help with batteries

[raynestorm]

I just bought a "new to me" boat this weekend. 1998 Alumacraft V14 Ltd. I have a 40 hp Johnson tiller on it.

I bought a new 55# Terrova last year that I had originally bought for my project boat (that isn't gonna get finished anytime soon). At the time I bought the TM, I also bought a Combiner 100 from Yadina to charge my trolling battery with the outboard.

My questions involve batteries for my set up and best way to hook them up for my boat.

I am looking at the options of:

1- 1 Sears PLatinum 31 for the the TM at 75#(front), and 1 Sears Platinum 34 at 53#(back) for the starting battery/graphs/pumps/lights.

2- 2 Sears Platinum 34's paralleled for the TM at total 106#(front)s, and 1 Sears Platinum at 53#(back) for starting...

3- Either set up, 1 or 2 with TM batteries, but Starting battery using a lighter AGM of some sort. I don't think I need a 50# battery for a 40hp.

4- last option, paralleling either a set of sears platinum 31 or 34 and running both TM and starting off of them. ( not my most favorite choice.)

I'm looking to keep the weight down but yet have plenty of TM use and not have to worry about starting outboard at end of day.

I have not been able to find much info on the net about this boat and what to expect out of a terrova on it with battery set ups.

So any info about the Terrova on this boat or similar or the use of either battery with similar set up would greatly help me. I currently have no batteries with it, so I need to come up with a plan to purchase.

After we get past this hurdle, I will have a new host of questions!

Thanks,
Ben

[rbsangler]

Let me just tell you what i've got. Two large batteries for the trolling motor, in the front of my 18 foot lund explorer. I have a 24 volt TM, so I don't have the 1 battery choice. However, you do. You can get 2 deep cycle wired 12 volts and run that TM for a LONG time. I have a dedicated starter battery, that is to say, it only starts the engine, no other accessories added to it. I also have a deep cycle that runs only my accessories ( pumps, graphs, radio, etc.) So I've ended up with 4 batteries, not that you need to, just how I've decided to do it since I've had ALOT of battery failures. Main advise I can give is ...take care of the batteries according to the manufacturers instructions. I cannot stress this enough. Read the mfgrs battery care instructions on the web or wherever, just follow them and you will minimise problems. Oh, one more thing...I have a two bank Dual-Pro charger on the 2 TM batteries, and another Dual-Pro charger on the accessory battery and the starter battery. plug 'em in every time I come off the water.

[raynestorm]

I was on the fence for several months on weather to get the 80# 24 volt Terrova or the 55# 12 volt. I ended up with the 55# because I got a great price on it. Besides, I would think that 80# would be extremely over kill on a 14 footer. Only reason I contemplated the 80, was for the efficiency of a 24 volt system and longer run time.

Once my boat is fully loaded down with all my gear and myself, I will be well under 1200# total weight. So I am guessing that the 55# should be plenty to move it, I'm just concerned on the run time vs. weight and loss of storage in the event I do use 2 batteries for the TM.

I usually only fish for 2-3 hours max before moving locations with the outboard. I'm not sure how much the motor will charge the batteries on the moves to other locations...

Thanks,

Ben

[raynestorm]

I had talked to a rep at Odyssey batteries, and he had said that being only a 40 hp outboard, I could use one of their smaller batteries weighing considerably less. I then could go with 2 group 34 Sears Platinums up front paralleled to run the TM and I could run a lead back to the fuse block to run graphs and pumps off that. Leaving the smaller battery as a starting only battery.

So I would have 106# up in my bow plus TM weight. Does anyone know if this will be too much weight in the front of a boat this size? I weigh about 200 and I will be on the sitting in the rear with a 6 gallon gas tank, 190# outboard, and 25 to 30# starting battery.

I don't have much experience with boats of this size. Considering the price of these batteries, I don't want to screw myself by running too much weight or the other way, and not enough juice.

Thanks,
Ben

[PRD1]

Ben,

If you are concerned about weight you should compare based on amp hours and weight.
For example a group 31 deep cycle delivers 105ah and weighs 59#
In an AGM Battery a group 31 delivers 100ah (5%less) and weighs65#(11%more)

In your case you could consider two type 27 lead acid batteries in parallel which would deliver 180ah at 106# or two group 31s for 210ah at 118#. The group 31AGMs would only give you 200ah and weigh in at 130#.

For the starting battery the AGM would give you higher cranking amps (which you don't need) and deep cycle characteristics (more recharg cycles) but you could get by nicely with a good dual purpose lead acid battery.

As to the boat alternator charging while running, if there are no accessories on the starting battery (live well, sonar, etc.) it would do fine but if you have accessories which drain the battery while using the TM even a 15 minute run to another spot does not put much back (if it were to provide 10amps at full throttle to the battery you would only ind up with 2.5ah in that case).

[jokerjim]

What ever battries you get be sure and get an on board battery charger. In my opinion one of the best items you can have on your boat.

[PRD1]

Could not agree more. Many batteries fail prematurely due to not being re-charged soon after use.

[1625rebel]

A couple of comments. Make sure that your setup does not drain your starting battery. Pull starting is not fun, and it's even less fun when a storm is on the horizon.

I'd also watch your weight in the bow. I'm not 100% on the setup on that boat, but I thought it had 2 swivel seats and one was in the bow. If that's the case and you have a heavier passenger up front, it may be difficult to plane with outboard with 2 31 or 34 series batteries up front + anchors and other stuff.

I have a Lund 1625 Rebel XL with 55 lb 12 volt AP. Heavier boat and the trolling motor moves me along pretty good. I get a weekends use out of a single series 27 battery, but then again I fish in the morning and evening only and sometimes troll with O/B. Two series 31 or 34 in parrallel seems overkill to me for a V14, but I don't know how heavy you fish. If it's ALL weekend, then maybe you would need that much capacity. I do know that with batteries that heavy you will want an on board charger so you don't have to move them around. Good luck!

[raynestorm]

Thanks Rebel, that is the type of info I am looking for. That would mean that 2 batteries for the TM would be overkill for my boat. So I think I am gonna go with a 31 series for the TM and acc. Then a smaller battery to start the outboard.

I don't think I will go with an onboard charger, but if I did, what ones should I look at? If I don't go with an onboard charger, what portable charger is best for AGM batteries?

I want to maintain these batteries the best I can.

Thanks,
Ben

[beeman]

Them CRD jeep guy's have been buying those! Id recommend Costco couple cheap deep cycle's should work out. I was considering onboard charger but I worry about hydrogen gas released from deep cycles being traped below the deck one spark and boooommmm. I usually pull out all my bats place them on front porch and charge away.