trolling motor question

[MisAdventure]

old 1966 crestliner, 14 foot v bottom, aluminum.

Need trolling motor....

what size do I need for best results?

dont want to spend to much....found minn kota endura 50 from walmart...200 bucks..

also minn kota endura 40. 166 bucks...

what would work best for my boat....just needs to push me around. (have a lake near my house that is electric only)

 

[steelespike]

Re: trolling motor question

Either one should work fine.
I used to get by with a 15 in sheltered areas, absolutely no wind.
When selecting a battery get a true deep cycle. Deka group 31 are good
and reasonable.2 6 volt golf cart batteries in series will really have some range.

 

[royal0014]

Re: trolling motor question

Won't take much to move that boat around. Even the $99 30# from Bass Pro would be plenty. Have one on my 14' Crosby, and 5th 'gear' will move it fast enough to leave a small wake.



<<)))(((>>

 

[JimS123]

Re: trolling motor question

A 40 should be fine for your boat. I bought a Traxxis this year instead of the Endura. Its a true variable speed and uses less power. I only rechaged twice all summer and used it every week. I paid 319, but with the less maintenance it was worth it.

 

[arks]

Re: trolling motor question

Agreed. I use a 36# on my 14 Jon, and the group 31 battery is definitely the way to go- mucho power and it lasts forever.

 

[MisAdventure]

Re: trolling motor question

Wow, that 30# from bass pro looks great....cant beat that price. How much diff will I see speed wise between that and a 50#?
how much diff in bat use?

 

[royal0014]

Re: trolling motor question

Wow, that 30# from bass pro looks great....cant beat that price. How much diff will I see speed wise between that and a 50#?
how much diff in bat use?

Couldn't say, I really don't know how they come up with the #-thrust rating. Probably not much.....And battery use depends on how you use the t/m, fast or slow, batt. size, condition, etc.

The #30 BP works great for me. Turned the head around on it to use on the bow. The catch is, its cheap and made in China, so no parts. When it dies, you chunk it and buy another.

Just my .02 worth.......



<<)))(((>>

 

[JimS123]

Re: trolling motor question

Wow, that 30# from bass pro looks great....cant beat that price. How much diff will I see speed wise between that and a 50#?
how much diff in bat use?

I haven't used more than 1 size, so I can't comment on speed differences.

Current draw is proportional to thrust rating, so a 50# motor will use 1.6 times more "juice" than a 30#. For the multiple speed motors, the current draw is nearly the same regardless of how fast you go. On the other hand, the variable speed motors use substantially less the slower you go.

According to MinnKota's web site, their variable models will provide up to 5 timnes the battery life. As I said before, I only charged mine twice all summer (once half way thru and once at the end when I put it away).

 

[steelespike]

Re: trolling motor question

I haven't used more than 1 size, so I can't comment on speed differences.

Current draw is proportional to thrust rating, so a 50# motor will use 1.6 times more "juice" than a 30#. For the multiple speed motors, the current draw is nearly the same regardless of how fast you go. On the other hand, the variable speed motors use substantially less the slower you go.

According to MinnKota's web site, their variable models will provide up to 5 timnes the battery life. As I said before, I only charged mine twice all summer (once half way thru and once at the end when I put it away).

Leaving the battery partially discharged will reduce the overall performance of the battery over time.Its allways suggested to charge at the end of each use.
If you have a winter layover you should use a floar charger like the one at Harbor freight.
Either solar or plug in.These won't charge a battery but maintain the level.
I use the solar one on my 3 year old garden tractor battery it definately cranks better after sitting a week or two than it did before.

 

[MisAdventure]

Re: trolling motor question

got the motorguide 45 varimax from walmart.. worked good...except ran my bat down in less than an hour. I have the 24ms-6 everstart from walmart. I have had it for a while, used it to start my last motor...my new motor, a 56 evinrude, is pull start...
charged the bat on a 10amp ship n shore battery charger before going out...got it from Orileys a few days ago....its on the charger again now... this would be a group 24 bat then?
Think I will get a diff bat...
group 31 you say? Ill have to check out walmart.

 

[NYBo]

Re: trolling motor question

Sounds like the battery is shot. Yes, it's a Group 24. Get the largest battery that you can fit, afford, and lift.

 

[JimS123]

Re: trolling motor question

Leaving the battery partially discharged will reduce the overall performance of the battery over time.Its allways suggested to charge at the end of each use.
If you have a winter layover you should use a floar charger like the one at Harbor freight.
Either solar or plug in.These won't charge a battery but maintain the level.
I use the solar one on my 3 year old garden tractor battery it definately cranks better after sitting a week or two than it did before.

Deep cycle batteries are intended to be discharged to as low as 20% without hurting them. I believe the manufacturers recommend not going below 50% before recharging. The point I was trying to make is that the newer variable speed motors use considerably less juice. In my case after 1/2 a summer my battery only lost 20% of the charge. (Now, to be fair, I usually only run for long periods between 25 and 50% speed).

I don't personally agree with the float charger idea all winter. I only use deep cycle batteries, and only AGMs. I check them monthly and recharge when the voltage drops below 12.4. My current boat battery is a 27M DEKA iand its 7 years old. Not too shabby performance IMHO.

 

[MisAdventure]

Re: trolling motor question

I want to put the bat, or pair of bats in the front of my boat...what would be the best way to do this with out cutting the t/m wires. I dont want to void the waranty incase I need to return it. The wires on it are so short though...the bat has to be right next to the t/m

 

[arks]

Re: trolling motor question

My battery is up front just forward of the bench. Troller leads were long enough.
Here's a pic- battery box is visible on the port side just behind the spare gas tank:

 

[MisAdventure]

Re: trolling motor question

nice set up, I have a transem mount t/m though. Need to extend the reach of my wires so I can put my bat up front.

 

[lncoop]

Re: trolling motor question

I assume the wires are terminated with ring connectors. If so, one option would be to terminate another set of cables with ring connectors, then join them with a short bolt, apply some Loctite, and snug the nuts down good and tight. There are numerous things you could use to insulate your connections.

 

[MisAdventure]

Re: trolling motor question

yep, ring ends. What size wire do I need to run from the battery in the front to the leads from the T/M? And will eny bolt work through the rign ends or do I need a special one?