I got my boat set up with a 70# MK Maxxum a couple years back and at that time they put two 12v Centennial Deep Cycle batts in it. They are Grp 31 105 amp hours and 205 Reserve Cap. I am starting my third season and have kept them well charged all year from the beginning. My concern is that this season my troller seems a bit sluggish (prop is clear, I take it off and inspect regularly). I am running on 70% power most of the time bowfishing for carp and when I first got it was running on 60 max. Currently by the middle or toward the end of the day I am on 80 which would about throw me out of the boat when I first got it. Questions:
1. Could this be the batteries age?
2. What is your recommendation for a good set of replacement batteries for this application? I am not overly concerned about price since once my troller dies I am done fishing so I am looking for maximum time looking for fish off of the troller.
I PM'd ST and here was his response to me but I would like to get some more information from those who have had similar experiences.
1) What you buy depends on how much money you want to spend.
2) Batteries are made by just a few manufacturers and there isn't much real difference between them.
3) What battery technology do you prefer? Pb, AGM, Gel,
4) Have you had your current batteries load tested?
5) I have not owned every trolling motor ever made so I don't know what 60, 70, 80 means but I suspect it is a percentage of maximum speed number. And yes, batteries age and lose their ability to perform as they once did. (See #4 above)
6) You can spend a lot of money on high-tech batteries that have lesser capacity ratings than much cheaper Pb batteries and they may or may not last any longer. So what's the point.
So you see, I have no idea what your actual needs are and I have no experience with the brand of batteries you currently have. Hence the reason for posting your question in the forum so you get more than just my opinion.
I buy deep cycle and starting batteries for my personal boats from my local Farm store for roughly half of what the so called high-tech batteries sell for and the less expensive batteries have higher capacity ratings. I've never had to replace one and my boats are sold every four years.
1. Could this be the batteries age?
2. What is your recommendation for a good set of replacement batteries for this application? I am not overly concerned about price since once my troller dies I am done fishing so I am looking for maximum time looking for fish off of the troller.
I PM'd ST and here was his response to me but I would like to get some more information from those who have had similar experiences.
1) What you buy depends on how much money you want to spend.
2) Batteries are made by just a few manufacturers and there isn't much real difference between them.
3) What battery technology do you prefer? Pb, AGM, Gel,
4) Have you had your current batteries load tested?
5) I have not owned every trolling motor ever made so I don't know what 60, 70, 80 means but I suspect it is a percentage of maximum speed number. And yes, batteries age and lose their ability to perform as they once did. (See #4 above)
6) You can spend a lot of money on high-tech batteries that have lesser capacity ratings than much cheaper Pb batteries and they may or may not last any longer. So what's the point.
So you see, I have no idea what your actual needs are and I have no experience with the brand of batteries you currently have. Hence the reason for posting your question in the forum so you get more than just my opinion.
I buy deep cycle and starting batteries for my personal boats from my local Farm store for roughly half of what the so called high-tech batteries sell for and the less expensive batteries have higher capacity ratings. I've never had to replace one and my boats are sold every four years.