Battery size for small boat with 55# motor.

[TedBull]

Hello again guys. I finally scrapped together some funds for a trolling motor for my 8' livingston. I found a Minn Kota 55 Maxxum transom mounted variable speed motor and the guy is holding onto for me untill after work today. So, Now I am limited to les schwab for a battery as I will have no cash left after I purchase the motor and I have a les schwab credit account. Les schwab has many size deep cycle batteries from 130 amp hours to small wheel chair batteries to choose from. So, I am looking to get the smallest battery that I can get away with but enough for my needs. The boat will be fully loaded around 500 pounds and run on small lakes on calm days most of the time.I will be running the motor at its slower speeds most of the time and it has variable speed so that helps. Weight and space will be vauluable so what size battery should I consider to get me thru one day of fishing? Thanks in advance.

Ted

[Amx]

12 volt unit I presume? My 50 # motor is 24 volt, so that info is needed. So, 1 battery or 2 batteries?

[BentRod]

Based on what I know, I'd recommend this:
Gel style

or

this:
RV deep cycle (group 24)


I imagine the RV battery will be cheaper as it's liquid cell. The gel style battery tends to be the battery of choice for marine use though it seems.


Edit: Not sure about the gel battery, but if you go with the liquid cell I'd recommend getting a good charger with maintenance charge option or a battery tender as properly maintaining a liquid cell battery will greatly increase it's lifespan.

[TedBull]

Thanks for the info. It is a 12V system. I am realy looking to find out what size (amp hours) I can get away with for a day of fishing. I have a battery tender.

[BentRod]

Thanks for the info. It is a 12V system. I am realy looking to find out what size (amp hours) I can get away with for a day of fishing. I have a battery tender.

Liquid cell batteries do not like to be discharged below 50% as doing so repeatedly will lead to battery sulfation and shorten the lifespan considerably. One of the claimed benefits of gel batteries is that they can be fully discharged without any ill effects. If you're looking to spend the day on the lake using an electric trolling motor then maybe the gel would be the best option as they can withstand more abuse and are maintenance free. A grp 24 liquid cell battery would probably last you a day on the lake, but not sure how much you'd drain it. FWIW.

[Toni]

I have a Les Schwab RV Deep cycle 24 dc...550 cca... 685ca
I bought it in 4-2010. I have a 45 or 46 thrust Minnkota transom mount. Been fine for me and 12 foot fiberglass boat.

[TedBull]

I just got back with the motor. Man, it is very nice but heavier than I thought. It has some nifty features. I am going down to schwab tomorrow and will get a battery. Sounds like a Gel batt with around 60 amp hours should work out. Since it will be used solely for trolling and not starting, cranking amps shouldn't matter, only amp hours right? Minn kota claims that with this motor and a 100 amp hour battery that it can go at slow speeds for 14 hours and much more than that with the variable drive. So 60 AH should be plenty for a day on the lake with my boy.

[rjn cajun]

With any battery and a livingston style boat the trolling motor is going to work overtime trying to push it do to the fact of the hull. I have a 10ft livingston and it doesn`t matter what brand amps etc I buy they drain alot faster then on say an alluminum type boat with a v-hull or a flat bottom. I do alot of bass fishing and running around from dock to dock etc on a faster speed then trolling like you will be doing. Not trying to rain on your parade just wanted to give you a heads up.

[hewesfisher]

I just got back with the motor. Man, it is very nice but heavier than I thought. It has some nifty features. I am going down to schwab tomorrow and will get a battery. Sounds like a Gel batt with around 60 amp hours should work out. Since it will be used solely for trolling and not starting, cranking amps shouldn't matter, only amp hours right? Minn kota claims that with this motor and a 100 amp hour battery that it can go at slow speeds for 14 hours and much more than that with the variable drive. So 60 AH should be plenty for a day on the lake with my boy.

Might be too late, but amp hour ratings are relatively useless in marine applications, reserve capacity is a more useful number. IMO, the best battery for your application is an absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery. Of course, any good, lead acid deep cycle RV/Marine battery will work just fine too. Check out this thread for a good discussion we had about batteries. You might find it useful.

[TedBull]

I have a Les Schwab RV Deep cycle 24 dc...550 cca... 685ca
I bought it in 4-2010. I have a 45 or 46 thrust Minnkota transom mount. Been fine for me and 12 foot fiberglass boat.

This is the same battery I ended up with. Lead acid deep cycle, 95 amp hours and weights 40 pounds. Only other option was optima agm 50 amp hours, decided not to spend that much. I also ended up with a power station battery box with 12v adapter and battery voltage indicator. It has external battery posts and a beefy handle. This will work well cuz I will pull the motor and batt after each use. All charged up and ready for tomorrow.

[TedBull]

I had the boat out at bosworth this morning. I could not be happier with the motor, I am very happy I ended up with the 55# and didn't settle for less. Also the variable speed controll is awesome. The battery held up great with constant trolling and a full throttle run from one end of lake to the other. After 5 hours of running the battery had over 50% left in it.

[rjn cajun]

That`s good to hear. Always a good thing when you spend decent money and make the right decisions.