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I recently purchased a toon and I need a good quality deep cycle battery to drive my Minn Kota electric motor. I spent quite a bit of time researching batteries, and thought I would share with you the information and my conclusions. My current purchase choice is the Mighty Max ML100-12 at $175. My second choice is the AJC D100S at $188. If you want to know why, read on.
First off, I am after a true deep cycle battery (not a “dual-use”). Because I only have an electric motor and I do not need to provide Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) to start a gas motor. CCA has no value to me. What I want is a battery that stores enough energy and “efficiently” delivers that energy over time to the electric motor.
The best type of battery for my need is a Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery that is also made as an Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) design. These come in size 27 and size 24. The size 27 runs about 65 pounds and stores about 100AH (Amp-hours) of energy. The size 24 runs about 40 pounds and stores about 55 Amp-hours of energy. Since I want to run about 4 hours a trip and only discharge to 50% (to extend the life of my battery); I desire a size 27, 100AH battery. As you can see you also get more energy stored per weight for the size 27 over the size 24.
Now the comparison began for Size 27 SLA-AGM batteries. The data I found is shown in the attached files. Since they all claim to store 100AH of energy at the same temperature, the real comparison is to see how efficiently they can discharge that energy to the motor over time. This is revealed in the “Constant Current Discharge” values table. The higher the number of constant amps the more efficient the battery. Most were reasonably close, except the UPG battery was significantly less efficient than the others. I will steer clear of UPG.
Interestingly the most efficient battery was also the least expensive. No brainer for me, I will choose the Mighty Max ML100-12 at $175.
P.S. I tried hard to get the true discharge charachteristics for the Cabela's battery but they could not produce data for the 5hr discharge. It is a 90AH battery rather than a 100AH.
See attached data files.
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Check out the Interstate DCM0035. It's a 12V, 35AH SLA AGM, Group U-1, which is significantly smaller and lighter than the conventional Group 24, 27, 31, etc. It's also a lot less expensive. I've used this battery for many years on my 9' pontoon to drive a 45 lb. thrust Minnkota. Never had it die on me through full days driving into a stiff breeze. The key is maintaining the charge with a high-quality deep cycle charger between uses.
[url "https://marinebatteryguy.com/interstate-sealed-lead-acid-agm-deep-cycle-battery/"]https://marinebatteryguy.com/...-deep-cycle-battery/[/url]
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[quote guitarfisher]Check out the Interstate DCM0035. It's a 12V, 35AH SLA AGM, Group U-1, which is significantly smaller and lighter than the conventional Group 24, 27, 31, etc. It's also a lot less expensive.[/quote]
Thanks for the info I will look into this. Perhaps a couple in parallel?
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[quote guitarfisher]The key is maintaining the charge with a high-quality deep cycle charger between uses. [/quote]
You know you have brought up a whole new research subject here. A good charger. Can you enlighten us on a "good quality deep cycle charger". I have read you want a three-stage charger.
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[quote Quicky]
I've always wondered about some of the lipo batteries used on rc aircraft and did some looking. If money wasn't an issue then a few of these connected in parallel would be pretty neat. 20AH may not be a ton, but at 2.6Kg each that makes a lot of difference for pontoons or float tubes. They are 6S so 22.2V and may draw more current than a true 24V system.[/quote]
Interesting idea but I would need five in parallel and I would need a bigger motor that utilizes 24V.
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[quote RonPaulFan]Add to your research the Optima battery. [/quote]
Thanks for the new info. I will definitely check it out. From the link you sent on the AGM auto battery it looks like it is designed more for Cold Cranking Amps than true deep cycle. I will do some more checking on this manufacturer though. Thx
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That is what I use. Optima Blue Top. I've never run out of power and use it at top speed quite a bit. It charges fast and is suppose to be able to charge more than any deep cycle battery. I'm on my 3rd year with it. I use the D27M on a 55lb electric.it weighs 54 pounds.
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[quote Optimizer][quote guitarfisher]The key is maintaining the charge with a high-quality deep cycle charger between uses. [/quote]
You know you have brought up a whole new research subject here. A good charger. Can you enlighten us on a "good quality deep cycle charger". I have read you want a three-stage charger.[/quote]
There are a lot of good multi-stage chargers on the market.
I'm currently using the NOCO Genius G3500.
[url "https://no.co/g3500"]https://no.co/g3500[/url]
I also have the Stanley BC2509.
[url "https://www.stanleytools.com/products/automotive-tools/other-tools/battery-chargers/25-amp-battery-charger-w-75a-engine-start/bc2509"]https://www.stanleytools.com/products/automotive-tools/other-tools/battery-chargers/25-amp-battery-charger-w-75a-engine-start/bc2509[/url]
Both work very well for all my battery maintenance needs.
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Tough to beat the Interstate tested used 27m deep cycle with warranty for less than $60.
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I use two Walmart 24 group deep cycles to power my 30lb motor in my Kickboat. I will leave one battery in the truck and switch out at midday. I will fish dawn to dark changing my battery at lunch time. Neither battery has ever been drawn down below 50% and I have used these two batteries for two year now making 50-60 trips a year. I really like the two battery system and changing out midday.
I want to upgrade to a 45lb thrust trolling motor this next year so we will see if I get the same battery life. I think i'm going to go to the motor with the battery optimizer or add one myself similar to this video.
[url "https://youtu.be/TnpHlmpncJk"]https://youtu.be/TnpHlmpncJk[/url]
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What is the price range for the right kind of charger? And what would the specs look like?
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The older I get the more I would rather be considered a good man than a good fisherman.
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[quote catchinon]What is the price range for the right kind of charger. And what would the specs look like?[/quote]
Check the links I posted, if you're able. They'll lead to specs and price.
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I've been trying to figure out the best type of charger and have done some fairly extensive research about batteries and chargers. Sometimes it feels like the more I study the less I understand. Just now I looked at this site:
https://www.carbatterychargerscentral.co...-chargers/
It appears that a person doesn't want a high amp charger. However, 1.5A is more of a maintainer than a charger. I can't really tell how "smart" my current chargers are and they don't charge very fast, even on the 15A setting. I may just order up the NOCO which is on sale on Amazon for just $58. Does anyone know how long it takes to charge a battery at whatever % discharged? You can't very well fish the next day if it takes 24 hours to charge the battery.
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Could get the NOCO one but not the Stanley. Good info, thanks.
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[quote MBM1969]I use two Walmart 24 group deep cycles to power my 30lb motor in my Kickboat. I will leave one battery in the truck and switch out at midday. I will fish dawn to dark changing my battery at lunch time. Neither battery has ever been drawn down below 50% and I have used these two batteries for two year now making 50-60 trips a year. I really like the two battery system and changing out midday.[/quote]
That is a very clever idea to be able to switch out mid-day.
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