I bought a 24 volt Ipilot back in may and need some help on battery selection. First off I purchased 2 batteries from Walmart and they worked fine the first few times I went oout but now, If I put in at sunrise they are toast by 11 or 12’ish. What is a good battery that will last all day long?
I’m not much help on the batteries, but you are definitely a better man than me to stay out past noon in this heat!
Are you putting the batteries on an onboard charger or Battery Tender when not in use? I’ve got a WallyWorld group 29 deep cycle (Everstart, I think), just for my trolling motor, and I hook up the charger as soon as I get home.
I almost ran out of fuel a few weeks ago, and used my 12v IPllot to get back to the dam ramp from the other side of Goat Island. Full rabbit speed almost all the way. I checked my battery when I got home & it was still at 12.4v.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
The key to TM batteries is exactly what Bob said. Take care of them. They need to be charged immediately once you are home. A tender will not “charge” your batteries or even a trickle charger…get a GOOD charger. It can be an on board charger or any other charger as long as it is of good quality.
I am actually using gel batteries that came out of a wheelchair. I can fish through 20mph+ winds from 6am-4pm…But I take care of them. I actually use a 24v charger that was designed for gel batteries. (Wheelchair charger that I added alligator clips to).
Also when selecting a charger you want a charger that will charge YOUR style of batteries. You don’t want to charge gel or AGM batteries with your standard wet style charger. There are many chargers out there now that can charge all types with a simple push of a button.
I have found though that gels or AGMs seem to last longer on a good charge. Just my experience though…also whatever you buy make sure the batteries are identical. Same brand, make, model, size etc…may just be me but I think this helps as well.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
I use an on board charger… They have been this way since spring and I want to get new batteries before fall arrives.
Carolina Skiff 218 DLV
140 Suzuki
I use a Cabelas on board and plug it up after use and leave it on charge.
Carolina Skiff 218 DLV
140 Suzuki
How big of a boat are you using. And I know it sounds like a stupid question but are you unplugging the TM after each use. You would be surprised how many people leave it plugged in. Shoot I have accidentally done it more times than I can vount. An ipilot will drain batteries if left plugged in.
If your doing everything right then I would suggest new batts. If u can afford gels or AGMs get them if not get the largest wets u can fit in the boat. I will be going to wets once mine die. Mine came with the TM that’s why I have gels.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
I tried to talk myself into AGM batteries when mine started going. Looking at cost and the fact that my Interstate group 29 wet batteries lasted over six years I went back with the same thing. I use a Minn Kota onboard charger. I plug it it when I get home and unplug it next time I go fishing. I water them every two months. I use the Cabelas watering system that replaces the caps. I just plug the squeeze bottle into my jug of distilled water and pump till the battery is full. This is what works for me.
Joby
Unplug the TM. I went through a couple of batteries with my iPilot before figuring this out.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
It’s a 21ft skiff and yes I unplug the TM after after each use. Just wanted to get some input from you guys and buy the right batteries before I break the wallet. It would totally suck to be fishing a tournament and have the batteries die 3 hours before weigh in.
Carolina Skiff 218 DLV
140 Suzuki
I assume you are running group 29 batteries. I would find the highest amp hour battery you can find. Even then, with such a heavy boat, and high sides from wind it might be unrealistic to get 10-12 hours of runtime out of 24 volt setup.
Some pros like to run a minn kota onboard charger that will charge the batteries from the alternator during runs, but then you have to make sure your outboard is up to task.
I would get 2 interstate deep cycle group 29s and try to be mindful of full speed runs. That sucks a lot of juice.
If you have the room, you could run 4 batteries. connect each pair in parallel, then treat the pair like one battery and connect for your 24 volts system. A lot more money, and weight, but it will instantly double your runtime. Still likely cheaper than an outboard powered charger. Just some ideas.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I have had good luck with the Walmart Marine Maxx in group 29 size on my Motorguide 55# 12volt TM. 1 battery runs all day. I keep a spare battery onboard, but cannot remember having to use it. These batteries are super heavy though.
I have the heavy duty Minn Kota chargers, MK 210 I believe, and leave them on charge all the time during the fall when I fish/shrimp a lot. I keep the top of the batteries clean, clean the connections thouroughly a couple of times per year, and check/top them off with distilled water often. I get about 4 years out of a battery on the TM.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
I have a 24v, 80lb Ipilot and I use 2 interstate deep cycles. they are group 27 (thanks bobby). I’ve used them for over 12 hours and they still had plenty of juice. Even after a couple years of use. I’m surprised the walmart batteries are giving you issues. I used a walmart deep cycle for about 4 years on my 55# motor and it would pretty much do the same. I suspect something is wrong with your charger. Check the voltage after the onboard charger says they are charged.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
If the new batteries worked fine the first couple of trips out and now they don’t, I would seriously look at the charger. Even though they are Wal-Mart batteries, they are basically new and they should give you a couple of good years of service. Sounds to me like they aren’t getting properly charged between uses. You said that you use an on board charger. Is it a 24 volt charger? How many leads does it have? It should have a set of leads for each battery. Try a shore(home) charger if you have one (or two). Remember, most shore chargers have only one set of leads so you can only charge one battery at a time. Disconnect the 2 batteries from each other and charge them separately. My 2 cents.
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
-Team Gonna Fish
I don’t think your charger is working 100%, try unhooking your batterys and charging them 1 at a time with a stand alone charger, My 3 year old batterys will fish over 2 days while on I pilot with no trouble! Good luck I hope you find the problem. Walmart will trade your batterys if you challange them!
You do not need to disconnect the two batteries from each other when charging.
Rick K
2310 Polar Bay Boat
Yamaha 250 4 Stroke
I seem to remember reading that a small diameter drop cord, especially if it’s a long one, can have an adverse effect on battery chargers. Try using the shortest drop cord possible, or none at all when charging your batteries. Might help, might not.
I’ve had trouble with some cheap chargers telling me a battery is charged when it isn’t. The Minn Kota MK 210’s are the real deal. I have 2 of them. They do a great job on an overnight charge. They also make a MK 310, and 20 amp/bank chargers that end in “20”. These chargers are heavy, and they ain’t cheap, but they do a great job. Google up Minn Kota battery chargers.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
I suspected the battery charger at first but the meter on the trolling motor shows a full charge. I may just get the minn kota onboard and gets two bigger batteries. Things we do for fishing…
Thanks for your help though, batteries get a bit confusing with the gells, agm, and wet cells.
Carolina Skiff 218 DLV
140 Suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by GeronimoUnplug the TM. I went through a couple of batteries with my iPilot before figuring this out.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 JohnsonWilderness Ride 115
This is not necessarily just for IP, but for any TM with a remote, even if it is just AP or CP, since the head needs constant power to stay in standby mode to be able to receive the signal to power up from the remote.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
You mean some people still have that dinosaur AP or CP?
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115