Battery for Trolling Motor Worked, but ran out and now won't charge

[Grantsch]

I bought a used alumminum fishing boat and it came with a trolling motor and battery. I took it out and it ran great. We used it for awhile fishing and it started to die. I plugged it in to my charger when I got home and it said it was charging. I hooked it back up to the trolling motor and now the trolling motor won't work at all. Is the battery dead, or is it the charger? Thanks.

 

[JB]

Re: Battery for Trolling Motor Worked, but ran out and now won't charge

My guess is that, a. you hooked it up wrong, or b. you have killed the battery permanently.

You will get better response if you give us more detail about the troller, the battery, the charger, your method of checking the battery condition and what you know about battery care and maintenance.

 

[Rscardina]

Re: Battery for Trolling Motor Worked, but ran out and now won't charge

do yoursefl a favor and check the trolling motor with another battery..even from your car...just to be sure your motor isnt junk..

as far as the charges saying its charging...well, i had the same issue on my aluminum and thought the charger was charging..matter of fact, the charges said it was full after only a short time on.. i knew it wasnt right so i cleaned up the battery terminals and made sure i had good contact with the alligators and the posts.. she did great after that..

my only last sugggestion is if youe battery is the permananetly sealed type then do what i said and try again...if its can be opend to check for fluids then i would at least see if she doent need a top off..

Also i read in a battry manual that after the battery charges for a bit its best to disconnect and let stand...after 5 minutes give it a good shake (this relaese biblles of the charging plates) and then charge again...

 

[Grantsch]

Re: Battery for Trolling Motor Worked, but ran out and now won't charge

I took it in to a battery place and had them hook it up and see if it was dead. It was, and turns out the battery was 6 years old. It also was bulging out on the sides from it from sitting out in the winter. Thanks.

 

[Rscardina]

Re: Battery for Trolling Motor Worked, but ran out and now won't charge

i usually replace my batteries every 3 years at the most!! .. I also put my batteries in the house..so no bulging..

glad you figured it out