Author Topic: Enough battery ???  (Read 704 times)

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Offline Dogshooter

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Enough battery ???
« on: July 29, 2010, 11:24:44 AM »
I have a small personal pontoon boat that I use on small mountain lakes and I have a MinnKota 28# trolling motor that I have been using on it. The only thing I don't like about it is the weight of the battery. I have found a source for a much smaller/lighter battery and wanted  any input you guys might be able to give me about whether or not it will work. It is an AGM type, 12 volt 35apm/hour rechargable battery. I only run the trolling motor for an hour or two per trip then have plenty of time to recharge before the next trip.  Any ideas out there if it will do the job I am asking of it or if I am just wasting money. Thanks.
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Offline mechanic

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Re: Enough battery ???
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2010, 01:30:26 PM »
I'm not familiar with that way of describing the ampacity, but it looks like it would provide a maximum of 35 amps per minute? for one hour.  If it's a 35 amp hour battery, you would need to know the amt. of current the motor draws while in use.

This sounds like a battery designed for an emergency exit light or something of the sort.  If it is, I seriously doubt you will get much use out of it.

See if you can determine from literature with your motor the max. amp draw.  Once you determine that, look at the amp hour rating for the battery.  You can safely use 80% of the battery's potential without damaging it. 
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Offline billy_56081

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Re: Enough battery ???
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2010, 01:53:17 PM »
How many amps does your trolling motor draw? That battery will give you 35 hours of run time if you are drawing one amp. Conversly if you are drawing 35 amps it will only last one hour or actually quite a bit less because of the heat disipated from such a high draw. The ability to store large quantities of energy takes a large storage place. This is why electric cars are not feasable at this time. Lightweighr high capacity batteries are coming but they are very very expansive. If you trolling motor gives how many watts it uses divide your watts by your battery voltage and this will tell you how many amps you are drawing.
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Offline fatercat

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Re: Enough battery ???
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2010, 02:58:51 AM »
why are you picking up the bat.? get a drop cord and a small charger. or one of thoes solar chargers. your back will tell you whats best.