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I went out today on my third trip since I got and mounted my minn kota 30 trolling motor and Minn Kota MK24DP battery. I recharge within a half hour after use with a new Minn Kota charger. My problem is that an average usage time for the 3 trips was 4 to 5, with 5 being max power, this seems short to me. Am I wrong.
Also I was looking into a top end optima. But at $145 to $160 I want to do a little research first. Does anyone use Optima batteries? Any info would be helpful.
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Ive also been looking into batteries and looked into the optima but decided not to go with it after reading the reviews on the cabelas website they are horrible recieved a 2.3 out of 5. Hope this helps a little.
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[cool][#0000ff]I have never run a motorized toon, so I have no firsthand experience. But, this is a question (and discussion) that comes up frequently on the Utah board, where we have lots of tooners who have put motors on their craft...and plenty of small boaters who run electrics for trolling.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]What is usually comes down to is that you have to do your shopping and batteries are like rods, reels, lines and lures. Your choice is a matter of personal preference and those who believe in one kind of battery will defend them to the death...while others say they are the worst on the market.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As you already know, the length of time you get on the water from any given battery is a function of 1. Battery amp/hours, 2. Thrust/power of your motor, and 3. Power setting at which you run the motor. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That is the basic physics stuff. If you buy a quality battery and a good motor, both of which operate the way they are supposed to, you will get exactly the performance for which they are rated.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are also some intangibles that can result in differences in results between different toons with the same motors and batteries. First is the weather. Obviously it takes more juice to run against the wind than with it. Second is the lower surface of your toon. If you do not have your rig balanced so that it rides evenly...or if you drag a sonar transducer, fish stringer or other drag items...you will use more power than if you have a smooth balanced rig. It is surprising how much drag even some dangling straps can add to your cruising speed...and how that affects the total length of time it takes to drain your battery.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Once you get a good feel for how your system performs, in terms of total hours on the water under "normal" conditions, you can project any potential differences for days when you are using the motor either more or less. A "prudent" tooner should know when to guide his rig back toward his launch point so that he doesn't have to row back against the wind after the battery dies.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you have a large enough toon, with ample space on the rear deck, you might consider carrying a smaller backup battery, with enough power to get you back in if the primary battery leaves you unexpectedly stranded.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In Utah, we have had some good reports on the WalMart deep cycle batteries. They are usually priced right and have good guarantees. The key thing seems to be looking carefully at the date of manufacture. Go through the whole display and pick the newest one. Watch out for those that are over a year old.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck.[/#0000ff]
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[#00bf00]Very impressive write up Tube Dude.[/#00bf00]
[#00bf00]I have bought batteries at Walmart before and didn't notice any difference. I just bought this last one at Napa, cause I was there and it was a good price.[/#00bf00]
[#00bf00]When I go on a camping trip of more than one day, I usually pack a generator and a charger, but I also try to conserve on the battery which means, I row out to the area I want to fish. Then I will kick for a while if need or cast and strip. I will use the motor one ONE to maybe find the fish.[/#00bf00]
[#00bf00]I can tell you I have gotten 7hrs out of my battery in one day with probably more to go, but again, I am on ONE.[/#00bf00]
[#00bf00]You want to drain your battery fast....put it on 4 or 5.[/#00bf00]
[#00bf00]One other thing, I have found on the higher settings that the boat steers better.[/#00bf00]
[#00bf00]Was caught in a bad storm and Elvis (my dog) was getting a little scared and the wave (plus probably getting a little wet). He climbed into my lap making rowing impossible, so I put the motor on 5 to get to shore quick. I also lifted my flippers out o the water with the heel of one to steer. Less water resistance. That worked and I still had sonar reading with that battery when I got to shore after a two hour battle to get there.[/#00bf00]
[#00bf00](yes, when I am using a motor, I also connect my sonar to the same battery....less weight than packing one big and one small)[/#00bf00]
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Thanks for the very informative post. After crunching the #'s, the battery I am using is preforming as it should. I am going to pickup another battery so that I have a backup.
I was really hoping that someonehad some insite into the Optima batteries. I have done alot of searching and it seems like a really good battery. It's just the cost that is making me a little apprehensive. But more than likely I will be going for the Optima battery.
KAZUALT
FLOATIN in the BURGH
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Optima Batteries are top notch as far as i'm concerned. If you look back into some of my previous post on the freshwater board, I did a write up on a Fishing Expo at Marshalls Marine here in SC. Optima had a booth set up right beside the Evinrude booth. Evinrude had one of thier new outboards in a water bucket, LOL, and Optima had a booth set up that had a battery COMPLETELY under water, wires hooked up, and running a fish finder and GPS. It was totally under water and the fish finder and GPS were still working just fine. The Sonar was set up on test mode and I watched as the little fish went by on the screen. I was amazed. They would even flip it over on it's side, upside down, what ever. They weren't scared a bit to abuse thier product. That's impressive to me. And you know what else? They didn't change the battery out or charge it all day. It ran both pieces of electronics all day, under water and while being fliped on it's side on a regular basis. [  ]
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[black][size 3]That is impressive. Underwater is a good thing to have.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3]Running a sonar and a GPS is easy however. They draw very little. It is a motor that will drain a battery quicker than you know what. You just have to remember this and have flippers and oars for back up.[/size][/black]
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It is pretty darn impressive, and you're right, nothing says "kill the battery" like a trolling motor. But, I figured being under water, it would be draining the battery too, in my mind anyhow. It didn't seem to be loosing any voltage. I dunno...........
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[black][size 3]I think if my battery was underwater I wouldn't be thinking about it loosing voltage, I would be worried about getting back to shore LOL.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3]You guys even thinking about that kind of money for a BATTERY, should become FLY FISHERS. I guarantee you won't be thinking big bucks on batteries anymore he, he, he[laugh][/size][/black]
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[size 3]Although after reading post and looking at the gear, I think bait and spin fishing are pretty costy too.[/size]
[size 3]I know I have spent $600. on a fly rod and average fly around $1., but I see spinning poles for around $250. and your lures.....fagedaboutit![/size]
[size 3]We don't even wanna talk about your reels with 600 ball bearings LOL[cool][/size]
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But you are forgetting about the Van Staal Spinning reals I think they start at like 650.
[inline Vanstaal.jpg]
These are ugly A$$ reels if you ask me. I just do not like the solid colors or maybe it is the color I just do not like the appearance.
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Thanks for the GREAT INFO. I have been leanning towards this battery to begin with. I needed some infoon its preformance and yours was excellent. So I think this is my next big puchase.
KAZUALT
FLOATIN in the BURGH
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