battery condition

[AF rigger]

At what point do you consider it time to replace a battery? I have one in my boat and at full charge (and maintain charge for two days), it is only showing 10.8v. It is a starting/trolling battery.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: battery condition

Time to replace it. Should be 13.2 (ish) after a charge and maintain 12.8-13.2. But..how can it be a starting and a trolling battery (is it a dual purpose?).

 

[AF rigger]

Re: battery condition

yea, an everstart dual purpose from walmart I believe. Just bought the boat and going over everything and trying to make improvements to it to suit my fishing style.

 

[superharmonix]

Re: battery condition

...just my thoughts....have you tried a hydrometer? If 10.8v is a true reading, I would replace that sucker. You should read just over 12 volts at a full charge as each cell should carry slightly over 2 volts. I would go the hydrometer route, or just bite that bullet and drop 80 bucks for a new battery. Nothing worse that getting stuck in the middle of the lake with no juice. What type of motor are you running on your boat? What type of trolling motor?

 

[AF rigger]

Re: battery condition

checked voltage with a multi meter. running a 20 hp Mercury tiller pull start and a Minn Kota 40lb foot controlled trolling motor on a tracker 14 sportsman. Yep, just checked again, 10.8v on the multi meter.

 

[superharmonix]

Re: battery condition

time to replace the battery.

 

[AF rigger]

Re: battery condition

That's what I thought. This is a Everstart Maxx starting/trolling/deep cycle/RV battery. It's what came with the boat.
Boat is a 94, motor is a 95 as well as trolling motor. thinking of upgrading it to electric start.

Thanks for your advice, and have a wonderful and blessed weekend!

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: battery condition

Most parts stores can check the batt for shorts and load capacity. If you're using a trickle charger on a deep cycle type battery they sometimes don't have the oomph to bring the batt to a full charge even over a couple of days. Most trickle chargers are 1a, deep cycle batts really want 5 at a minimum. Get it tested first.

 

[fletcher123]

Re: battery condition

If only 10.8 volts then seems you have a bad or shorted cell. I would not give faith in a dual purpose batt. starting batts are made for short high current demand and deep cycles are made for long small current demand. I don't care how they advertise it it just won't last. If you try to cycle a starting batt then the batt will fail because it is not designed for cycling and if it's a deep cycle branded as a starting also it will fail. Deep cycles are not made to put out high amps. You can use a deep cycle to start if you have too for emergency etc but otherwise that is the only time I would use it for that. The internals of the deep cycle are not setup to carry high current bursts and break down and limit your amp hours pretty fast. A starting batt internals have thick plates to produce the high amps and deep cycles have more plates but thinner to give the longevity. I would estimate you would only get 2 yrs max out of either if used for wrong purpose if used that way often. If you have the space I would run 2 batts. One dedicated to starting and other a deep cycle then you would always have a reserve to start your boat if you run one to far down or one fails out on the water. Try to stay away from the really small high cca batts if you can they fail a lot sooner especially in a boat where they are banging the waves all the time. The internals just don't have the support to hold the plates together unless you want to install a rubber mat or carpet underneath the batt to help cushion it. Get a deep cycle group 29 or higher if you can fit it and you will see a lot longer run time than your single dual purpose batt. Charging the batts...starting can be 5 amps or higher to charge it because they can take a larger charge faster same as using it. Deep cycles like to be charged lower and slower. I wouldn't charge faster than 5 amp especially if you want the longest run time out of it per cycle. It will take longer to charge but will last longer per cycle. Deep cycles last a lot longer for life of battery if not taken past 60% drained or so all the time that's why it's important to get the biggest one you can afford and fit in like possibly a group 31. If you look on the batt the numbers might be punched on how old it is or if not there might be a scribed date somewhere (sold date)or if you can't find that there should be a white sticker somewhere on side that states when batt was manufactured. You might get lucky and get some warranty money towards a new one if it isn't that old. You'll just get many more yrs not to worry if set up correctly.

 

[AF rigger]

Re: battery condition

Thanks fletcher123. this is the battery that came with the boat when I bought it last month. There is no telling how old the battery is, it appears to be several years old from the looks of it. You gave a lot of good info about these batteries that I was not aware of, so thank you for the information.
This is my first boat (of my own) although I have operated a few boats before, and having passed a US Navy test for operating small craft, I am looking forward to having my own fishing boat.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: battery condition

Yeah, that battery is shot. Time for new.

 

[AF rigger]

Re: battery condition

bought a new battery charger last night and after being on the charger for about 15-16 hours, it finally went into maintance mode. check with multi meter and it is now showing 13.4v! maybe that is what it needed, just a higher amp charger to get it back up to par. Maybe I won't have to change it just yet. It was a 29 series battery, around 80-85 dollars to replace it around here.
Thanks for all the good advice and knowledge!

 

[edu01jose]

Re: battery condition

Check the year of your battery. Batteries tend to last 5 years or more if used properly and maintained properly.

On your battery post, there should be a code stamped in it.

The code starts with a letter that corresponds with the month--'A' for January through 'L' for December. The second character of the code is a numeral that stands for the year. Thus, a code starting 'A02' indicates that the battery was shipped in January 2002; 'B02' indicates February 2002, and so on

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: battery condition

agree with everyone above.
After paddling back to docks....nearly 4 miles...
I will not take any boat out without at least two batteries.
Batteries can fail without warning and you are stuck. A back up is a good idea.
I keep 4 in my big boat. Run on two.....keeping two in reserve if needed.

 

[AF rigger]

Re: battery condition

I have a smaller 24 group battery, deep cycle, that I got last year, along with a trolling motor. I intend on using this one as a backup when I go night fishing. Keeping a backup is on the list, as well as backup nav lights and all around light (battery operated and clamp on) when out at night. even keep spare bulbs on hand too.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: battery condition

check with multi meter and it is now showing 13.4v!

A fully charged battery is 12.6V. The 13.4V that you measured is caused by a surface charge. Let the battery rest for 20 minutes after you pull the charger off to get the true battery voltage.