Trolling Motor Battery & Charger

[Micropterus salmoides]

I think I am going to upgrade from my kickboat oars to a trolling motor setup. I wish Minn Kota still had the Maxxum line as I've read about issues with the Traxxis mounting bracket, so instead I'm looking at the Minn Kota Endura 55lb.

What single 12V battery would be ideal? Are the Optima Blue Tops the best?

How long can I realistically run a 55lb thrust TM on high using a single 12V battery?

What would be a quality charger for me? Would an on board charger be better than a portable?

[adamsj13]

Check walmart for some trolling motors. I was there last night In Sac area and they are clearencing them out. Worth looking at.

[BIG DADDY BLUE RANGER]

what size/weight boat? are you running the delta or the lakes? If this is going on a kickboat you might be able to waterskii behind a 55lb motor

just to give you an idea, my first boat was an old 16' tri-hull (fairly light weight) that I converted... it had a 12V 48lb MK Power Drive. I used a single group 27 size AC Delco battery that would last all day in low to moderate current/wind on the Delta... that battery held up for about 18 months before it needed replacing....... and the power drive also drains battery juice to steer so towards the end of the day it would turn really slow.. on very windy days or days where I was out in the main current during the fall it would die after 6-8 hours..

the deal with any battery is the more you run it down (discharge it) during each outing the shorter the overall life expectancy will be... it is not just a matter of the total # of times you charge it.... so having the largest battery with the most reserve capacity (some group 31's have 205 hours or more) is better. another option would be to run 2 group 27's wired so they remain in a 12v configuration.

I'm sure Optima's are good, never owned one myself, AGM's in general are better than lead acid overall,, but they come at a much higher price/weight and may not be the best choice for a recreational angler. A good lead acid is going to be your best bang for buck. Something like a group 31 Interstate would be a good choice or maybe a Kirkland battery.... I would AVOID EVERSTARTS !!!! kaka! learned that the hard way

On Board charger's are a convenience thing.... if you only have one battery you'd be fine with a portable.... in addtion to my three bank Dual Pro for my current 36v system I also uses a portable Minnkota 10amp charger for my crank battery that works just fine. I used to use an Exide Nautilaus portable charger from Kragen's on my first boat, worked fine too,, and had it for years before it finally died..

[Micropterus salmoides]

If this is going on a kickboat you might be able to waterskii behind a 55lb motor

It will only be used on my 11ft kickboat. I had a 50lb Minn Kota Maxxum years back, but sold it in 2008. It only had 5hrs or less of use, but I sold it because it wasn't as fast as I'd like. I was able to row almost as fast over long distance and faster in short bursts. I also didn't like the hassle of carrying extra gear and setting up and removing the trolling motor each outing.

Things have changed since then. I've develolped a chronic repetitive stress injury in my left shoulder, which makes rowing painful. Its sucks that I sold my 50lb Maxxum, because the Traxxis which replaced it has had problems with the bracket. That means I will most likely get the Endura.

If I go with a lead acid do I have to deal with refilling the water, or whatever? Does the Optima Blue Top last longer?

[BIG DADDY BLUE RANGER]

If I go with a lead acid do I have to deal with refilling the water? Does the Optima Blue Top last longer?

#1...yes, but adding water is simple and should only be needed occasionally,, it's not a big deal.

#2 yes in terms of overall life,, per charge will always depend on reserve capacity and that varies between brands... but your also paying twice as much for it. having a totally sealed spill proof battery might be a plus though depending on where you have room to mount it in a kick boat

[Micropterus salmoides]

I think I will go with an AGM like the Optima Blue Top. I don't want to take the chance of any acid leakage, especially on an inflatable.

My main concern is how long I could hypothetically use a 55lb thrust at max speed. According to the Optima site the D34M is a 55 amp hour battery with a reserve capacity of 120. A 55lb thrust trolling motor uses 55 amps per hour. That's roughly 1 hr of use at max speed, not accounting for reserve capacity. How much extra time would reserve capacity give?