My experience with a 12V trolling motor on a windy day.

[sutor623]

I have a 12v 55lb. thrust Minn Kota with the digital maximizer. In the real world tests that I have seen, it looks like the amp draw is as follows:

Speed Amp Draw
1 .9
2 1.5
3 3.2
4 5.2
5 8.4
6 12.7
7 17.5
8 23.5
9 30.2
10 36.5

I was fishing in 15-20MPH winds all day with 30MPH gusts. Did a lot of scouting for bait, trolling with the wind, and trolling against the wind. 16' aluminum starcraft, and contrary to what many will say about 12V, I was making good headway straight through 1' lake chop and 30MPH gusts. Was on the water for 8 hours. I keep my battery charged well, and plug in the onboard charger every night before my fishing trips. Tested the battery before and after a full day of fishing, and had a battery reading of 13.7 volts when I left the driveway, and 12.4 volts after the trip, which is 80% charge. How in the world was my battery still so charged when I was fighting the wind with my trolling motor all day?

 

[midcarolina]

Re: My experience with a 12V trolling motor on a windy day.

What type of battery? flooded, Gel or AGM

I think checking voltage drop is the least accurate way of determining SOC...........checking specific gravity is a much more accurate method........either way I think you are supposed to let the battery rest for 24 hours before measuring.....

 

[sutor623]

Re: My experience with a 12V trolling motor on a windy day.

Flooded.

 

[sutor623]

Re: My experience with a 12V trolling motor on a windy day.

I let the battery rest for another day and remeasured the voltage, it was still up at 12.6V. The battery is a pain to get to so I decided not to do a hydrometer test. Any other opinions on the matter? Maybe the battery held its higher charge (13.7v) for a little longer since it was a short trip to the lake and that had something to do with it?

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: My experience with a 12V trolling motor on a windy day.

Mine runs all day also, 14 foot flat bottom the motors are a fisherman's best friend.

 

[sutor623]

Re: My experience with a 12V trolling motor on a windy day.

Mine runs all day also, 14 foot flat bottom the motors are a fisherman's best friend.

Agreed! The digital maximizer is a must for trollers.

 

[blackhawk180]

Re: My experience with a 12V trolling motor on a windy day.

Amazing, sutor. A few years back I went out with a buddy on a similar windy day. Older 12v minn cota with a flood battery. Can't speak for the battery condition but we were out less than 3 hours and barely made it back to the dock with about 2 electrons to spare.
I may reconsider electrics!

 

[sutor623]

Re: My experience with a 12V trolling motor on a windy day.

Amazing, sutor. A few years back I went out with a buddy on a similar windy day. Older 12v minn cota with a flood battery. Can't speak for the battery condition but we were out less than 3 hours and barely made it back to the dock with about 2 electrons to spare.
I may reconsider electrics!

They say that the older motors used just as much juice on 1/2 power as they did on full power. I do a lot of striper trolling, and this motor makes my day so much easier. Remote steer, and keep the motor on 2-3 and we can troll for hours and hours. I must say though, I take very good care of my batteries. I never run them down past 50% charge, and always make sure they stay topped off. My cranking battery is going on 8 years.