Optima battery

[SDWALLEYEHUNTER]

Guys, I have a Optima 34m blue top battery that I have been using for over a year as my starting/accessory battery. I use two Interstate group 29s for the trolling motor batteries. I have been out 7 times this year so far with no problems. However that last two times that I have gone out the motor has not started once, and barely started the other time. This has happened after about maybe 6-7 hours of fishing, some even included starting the motor to run to different spots. When the motor would not start it would just turn over very,very slowly and then not at all.

The only change that I have made since last year was uprgrading my graph to a 997c Hummingbird, but I used it 4 times before this problem started happening with no hiccups at all.

I had the battery tested today and they said it was at 64% after fishing yesterday, which it almost did not start yesterday either, but then I ran 3 miles back to the dock so I am assuming that charged it a little. The guy at the battery store said I am probably just draining it too much but it worked great last year and earlier this year I dont know why all of a sudden it is having problems?

Any advice you guys could give me I would greatly appreciate!

Thanks

[115 optimax]

Make sure all of your connections are clean and tight.If that does'nt work your'e altanator might be on it's way out.Had the posative cable hardly even loose on my 60 Merc efi with the same battery as you and had the same problem.I sanded all of connections and retightened everything and it worked fine.Good luck.

[SDWALLEYEHUNTER]

I did that last weekend, cleaned all terminals and even replaced the positive battery cable that runs from the battery to the motor.

[Ned]

3 bank on board charger? That short of run isnt going to keep your battery charged up. I used to run into this problem when i just had a 2 bank charger on my tm batteries and relied on the alternator to keep the cranking battery charged.

[115 optimax]

Originally Posted by SDWALLEYEHUNTER

I did that last weekend, cleaned all terminals and even replaced the positive battery cable that runs from the battery to the motor.

You could buy a Minnkota on-board alternator charger.It boost's up your alternators charge while driving spot to spot.This will solve your problem.Part #MK 2-DC $129.45 Ned is right, short runs won't do much for charging unless you buy this Alternator charger.

[Jerryv]

Originally Posted by 115 optimax

You could buy a Minnkota on-board alternator charger.It boost's up your alternators charge while driving spot to spot.This will solve your problem.Part #MK 2-DC $129.45 Ned is right, short runs won't do much for charging unless you buy this Alternator charger.

That charger is for boosting your TM batteries from your big motor's alternator. It would only make your problem worse if your alternator is not keeping your starting battery charged. You don't say what your big motor is so I have no idea what the charging output is, but you should have your alternator tested to make sure it is working correctly. If it is ok, then your best option is to add another battery to run the accessories and take them off your starting battery. Add another on board charger to top it up when you charge your TM batteries.

Jerry

[SDWALLEYEHUNTER]

I run a 115 Mercury, I may just have to add another battery, after getting the motor started I watch the volt gauge on the boat and it shows a little lower voltage when I have the problem, but if I put the motor in neutral and rev it up a little the volts increase, this should tell me that the motors alternator is work right?

[JDP]

The Optima is an excellent battery.
But looking at the specs for the 34M,
IMHO the Reserve Capacity is not
the highest. You may be draining the battery
down during the day and not recharging enough.

In the short term I would:
* charge the battery full at home before every fishing outing
* bring jumper cables (in an emergency, be careful of fumes, etc)
* install a a 3 bank 10 amp per bank on-board battery charger

Long term if the problem persists I would:
* replace the Optima battery with a battery that has the needed
Marine Cranking Amps per your manual and a much higher Reserve
Minute Rating (Interstate has excellent batteries that would fill the bill)

Specs for the Optima 34M:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/optim...etop/specs.php

Interstate website:
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/c...o/marine_f.asp

[jhebert]

Originally Posted by SDWALLEYEHUNTER

I run a 115 Mercury...

If you have an older outboard engine, the voltage regulation of the battery charging circuit may not be particularly good. An Optima battery is a sealed lead-acid battery. Sealed lead-acid batteries do not tolerate being charged with too much voltage; it tends to boil the electrolyte. In a sealed lead-acid battery there is no way to replenish the electrolyte.

Measure the terminal voltage at the battery when the outboard engine is running at cruising speed. If the terminal voltage is above 14.5-volts there is a risk for over-charging the battery and losing electrolyte.

[waterwalker]

Don't know for sure about your 997, but my 998 has voltage monitoring capabilities which I use to keep up on my battery voltage. May help you determine if you battery is draining or it might possibly be your alternator.