Deep Cycle Trolling Motor Battery Question Chris V

General Boats and Motors
1

Hi Chris and anyone else who may have input.

I have the Interstate SRM-27 that I purchased along w/ my 12V/55lb iPilot from Chris V in January 2015. The battery seems to be failing. I was out yesterday and it ran out or really low on power after probably 20% of the workload/time that it would provide when new.

I am getting it tested but was wondering how long those should last. Mine has had very low use, has been stored in the boat in my garage and kept charged (by the onboard Minn Kota MK106D charger).

If I do need a new battery what would be a reasonable step up without spending an arm and a leg?

2

Oh ya. I have checked it and found the fluid level at the top of the cells. Initial check on the machine at Advance Auto said it just needed charging.

3

BATTERY CHARGER MAY BE FAILING

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4

Thanks Chris. Any way for me to check it?

It appears to be functioning OK by looking at the indicator lights.

5

VOLT METER

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6

Thanks for the help Chris. I’ll look into it more tonight.

Last night when it got to full charge I measured the voltage across the battery terminals and it was right in the range spec’d in the charger manual for that stage of the process. I hadn’t looked at it during the bulk charge it slower charge stages.

I appreciate your help.

7

charger off it should be somewhere around 12.4 volts
charger on, more like 13

I have a small portable charger I use around the house, and it has recently begun only providing a partial charge before it claims a full charge and shuts dowwn

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8

I have been getting 5 years on a deep cycle batterys and some times more! I’ve been thru guite a few charger over the years

9

It all seems normal now. The charger indicators have worked per the owners’ manual. Last night it went from absorption mode to maintenance mode and voltage read 13.4 V in maintenance mode. Per the manual it stayed there for 24 hours then went to long term maintenance mode this evening. The charger shut off and the battery has read 12.78 V for about 3 hours now. Per the Interstate guide that means full charge - 100%

I guess the next step is to try the battery once more and see how it performs - since there’s no indication that it’s less than full charged or any issues w/ the charger.