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When I got to Strawberry this morning my iPilot remote was dead, and I was lucky I had an extra battery with me. Otherwise I would've headed back home, since my MinnKota 70 Powerdrive doesn't work with the foot controller anymore, with the iPilot installed.
I read on the internet that some CR-2450 batteries don't work in the remote, particularly the Panasonic brand. Apparently MinnKota even specifies that Panasonic batteries won't work, because of a slightly different shape.
And remember to always disconnect the power to the trolling motor, because the remote is always powered up and using the battery whenever the motor itself is connected to power --- at least that's the case with mine.
I bought my first spare at Radio Shack, and it works fine but cost about 12 bucks!!! I just ordered 6 energizers from Amazon for nine something, free ship and no tax.
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I get mine at Wally World; under 4 bucks.
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I buy my batteries on Amazon also. I buy the knock off brands. 30 for 10 bucks... Or something ridiculous like that. Seem to work well...
My remote shuts down as soon at as the motor is in the stowed position.
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That's a good reminder. I keep one in my boat at all times.
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Good reminder, thank you.
Another question on the main battery life for you guys. I have the minkota 55 with ipilot mounted on my Jon Boat. I was trolling on Saturday and my fully charged battery only lasted 5-6 hrs of steady trolling. I bought this battery in January brand new. It is an Interstate 27 group deep cycle marine battery. This is the first time trolling that constant for me but I thought I would have got more out of it. Am I expecting too much?
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What is the RC of that battery? (Reserve Capacity)
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Looking at Interstate they list 2 group 27 batteries. 160 or 180 on the reserve capacity.
RC is the ability to provide 25amps of power for the amount of time listed.
So a RC of 160 minutes is ~6 hours of 25amps being pulled. (Rounding to the easiest number.)
Your 55lb thrust motor running on max pulls 50amps per hour. (That is off the MinnKota website. Also you should have a 60 amp circuit breaker installed.)
Generally speaking newer more effecient TMs:
12v = ~1amp per lb of thrust
24v = ~.7amp per lb of thrust
36v = ~.5amp per lb of thrust
(The typically found rule for amperage pull on the web is much more. 12v - 1.2amps / 24v - .9amps / 36v - .55amps per lb of thrust.)
So going full speed you are dead in the water in 3 hours.
Using half speed 6 hours.
Very rough estimates but a rough gouge to ponder/plan on.
The more the batteries the more the efficiency. My 80lb Terrova on 24v has a max pull of 56 amp per MinnKota. The 36v TMs drop down under 50amps per hour range.
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I have a pair of Die Hard Marine Group 31M AGM batteries in my boat. 75lbs each... 205 on the RC.
Last week several different days I trolled 7-8 hours at a shot going 1.5mph chasing Kokes. 1.5mph equated to 4 1/2 to 5 out of 10 levels of power being used shown on the remote.
Guessing I was pulling a hair less than 50% of the max amperage my Terrova can pull on average.
I never went dead. But estimated I was getting close to using everything the batteries had at the 8 hour point based off the math/numbers I listed above.
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Side note... My boat came oem with a pair of the batteries you have. I was showing loss of life in the first year big time. I switched to these group 31 AGM batteries in late 2012 if I remember correctly and have never looked back. WELL worth the $$$. Plus no more acid spills/worry about water level in them, etc.
I paid $250 per battery from Sears when I got them. They are now over $300ea.
Tom
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Wolfs4ever,
Wow, thank you for the detailed information. That is exactly what I was looking for. I am going to check the RC on the battery when I get home today. Might have to take the plunge on a big boy battery here soon. It is crazy, I thought I was spending a lot at $129 for this one!
Sliverslinger
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Its the cr-2450 N battery that works. Radio Shack is going out of business got 6 batteries for $5.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]All the AGM at Cabela's are on sale right now. They don't have a Gp 31 but do have a Gp 30. Weighs 65 # and has an RC of 190. Sale price is now $199. I've got a Cabela's Gp 24 AGM that is at least 5 years old and used with a 44 # Minn Kota for duck hunting. Still going strong after 5 years. You'd have to look hard and long to beat their price right now.[/#800000][/font]
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Bob Hicks, from Utah
I'm 83 years young and going as hard as I can for as long as I can.
"Free men do not ask permission to bear arms."
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+1 on Cabela's AGM, I use 2 in my Trophy and they keep going and going...... They go on sale once in a while, that's when to get 'em
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