Battery Charging

This topic has 22 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 9 months ago by TexaBamaBass.

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November 21, 2006 at 8:48 pm #323706

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

We suggest that you always disconnect the batteries. We have seen lots of issues from the trollers over the years when they were left plugged in. Besides the charging issues. We have seen covers get water on them and accidentally turn on the troller and then burn a boat on down. Seats layed on the cover or pedal and the same thing happening as the propeller does not turn and the heat eventually goes through the wire and causes a fire. BCB

November 21, 2006 at 11:12 pm #323726

Murph
Participant

Its just a good habit to get into. Mr. Whitten was the first to warn me of the evils, of leaving it plugged in while charging. Another reason, would be to avoid any lightning damage, to the mother board of the trolling motor, should a storm roll in during the night. I know my Minnkota is real sensitive to any extra surge.

November 22, 2006 at 1:07 am #323739

Chris Brown
Participant

Guys, I run the Motorguide 109 36 volt and from the first boat I had until now, I have gotten into a steady habit of when I pull my rig out of the water, I turn the speed control on the foot pedal off and I turn the switch on the side of my pedal to the off position and then unplug the motor form the bow. This helps during charging but also when working on the boat if I lean on the pedal or hit I do not have to worry about it coming on when in the stowed positon. I have not (knock on wood) had any trolling motor ussues with my Motorguides to this point, they have always been strong and not a bit of trouble. This is a habit I got into thanks to some frineds of mine and it works for me.Chris

November 22, 2006 at 1:47 am #323767

mlmccrory
Participant

Many Thanks for the prompt responses. I never thought of the safety issues with leaving a hot/live trolling motor waiting for a poor unsuspecting victim to lean on that pedal. I appreciate you guys saving me from that hazard. I will unplug the TM starting today.Thanks again to the BCFMLMccrory

November 22, 2006 at 2:56 am #323784

basscat357
Participant

That happend to my buddy. A tree branch fell on his cover which put pressure on the pedal and so on until no more boat. I have never left mine plugged in since.Shawn

November 22, 2006 at 4:00 pm #323801

02JagCat
Participant

When I bought my first Cat in 96 my dealer pointed out that it was a good idea to unplug as soon as you load onto the trailer. He showed me his wrist that had been sliced up pretty good as he was wiping down the boat by hitting the pedal switch. I got into the habit of unplugging it when I leave my last fishing spot and head for the ramp.

November 27, 2006 at 5:46 am #323820

CatClassic
Participant

Thanks for this posting. I would plug my charger up and leave plugged in for a few days. That will change. I was lead to believe that it was okay – now I see different. Thanks

November 2, 2008 at 3:29 pm #354592

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

We suggest you lood at the quality of the trolling batteries themselves. What brand and models. BCB

November 2, 2008 at 3:29 pm #354596

Mike Whitten
Participant

Drop me an email at [url=mailto:mdwhitten@comcast.net]mdwhitten@comcast.net[/url]. I might be able to help with your situation. Mike Whitten/Germantown, TN

November 2, 2008 at 6:08 pm #354599

oldtimer57
Participant

Thats a risky proposition. Chargers are not 100% efficient. At 80%, that means that to charge a single troller (assuming same amp-hour capacity as your cranking battery) that is dead, it will reach 80% full charge as your cranking battery goes dead. There are ways to charge multiple batteries from your big motor while under way, but if you split (say) 60 amps of alternator output among 3 batteries, the charge rate is going to be fairly low. If you spend all day on the troller, you really need to get the biggest, baddest batteries you can find, since the big motor wont be run enough to help with the charge.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200

November 2, 2008 at 7:14 pm #354603

BasscatRJ
Participant

ACDM27C, Group 27DC w/ Top Post SAE/EN/JIS, 1060, 125 reserve , || The batteries are these AC Delcos. One had a born on date as 12/07 and 01/08. I installed them in April. The older one takes 20-30 minutes longer to charge. Its a 82 lb MGUIDE Digital. Could the shelf life of these batteries be the problem? My buddy has a 36 volt 101Mguide with Wal Mart batteries and hes still cruising at the end of the day. Thanks

November 2, 2008 at 7:24 pm #354606

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Its a 160 reserve minutes not 125. Thanks

November 2, 2008 at 9:24 pm #354611

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

You should check your charger, and the batteries are probably not enough.

November 2, 2008 at 9:47 pm #354616

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

How do you “check the charger”? Thanks

November 3, 2008 at 12:09 am #354620

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Plug in the charger and check voltage with a voltmeter at the batteries before and after, with charger on.
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