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Posts: 743
| OK...i know i have too many battery questions...but here's one more...
I have 2 12 volt batteries running my 12 volt TM (trolling motor). i have them hooked together to i have an extra long life on the water...it's been working out perfectly all year.
So, i go out two weekends ago and my TM doesnt have the power it usually has. it feels like a 36 pound thrust, not a 50...my TM just didnt have the power i was use to.
So, i get home, check the water level on my batteries. they are low. I fill them back up w/ distilled water to the appropriate level. Between the 2 batteries they took about 1/2 gallon together to fill them up. I recharge the batteries.
I head back out fishing the next weekend and my TM still doenst really feel like it has the power it use to have. When i use the battery tester (light indicator thingy) on my TM, it reads full charge or just one step down (GOOD). So, i think the battery charger was working properly.
However, my TM still isnt performing 100%...so, have i ruined those batteries? i thought refilling them w/ water would solve my problem, but it didnt'. i'm not a TM expert (Minkota) but i was thinking if the TM had a problem, i wouldnt just lose some power, as everything else worked great. So, are those batteries shot? no good anymore?
They are 12 V, Deep Cycle Interstate batteries.
Has anyone else had a TM loose thrust because of poor battery maintenance like me? if any of you guys could help or share your experince, that would be great.
I have an onboard charger that i feel is working fine...
thanks in advance,
tomcat | |
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Posts: 1769
Location: Algonquin, ILL | Tom: Your batteries may have to be replaced after loosing that much electrolite, most battery testers only check for proper voltage your batteries may be charging to 12 volts but no longer supply the amperage needed to run the TM at peak levels one way to test this is to put your tester on the battery and then turn on the TM if the voltage drops signifigantly your batteries are shot.
This is much like when your car battery goes bad in the winter there is enough power to turn on the lights but barely enough to crank the starter fast enough to start the engine
Edited by JohnMD 12/13/2004 7:56 AM
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Tomcat- Like JohnMD says- they may have to be replaced. If the battery plates have been exposed they can be permanently damaged. (You should check the electrolyte level on wet cell batteries regularly, depending on usage and type of charger and length of recharge. (it can be complex) When fishing daily - check at least once a week.
Overcharging is the culprit. Charger has unregulated output voltage or unregulated charging time ( this is why high $$$ chargerrs are worth the price) or lastly operator headspace ( you need to limit the recharge time and check the electrolyte levels periodically). A typical TM battery should be fully recharged in ~24Hrs (if fully discharged) _
However, there may be some hope- perhaps your recharge period and charging voltage after you added the water may not be long enough or high enough to fully recharge the batteries & re-mix the water and electrolyte.
It also may be your charger -> Some chargers don't have an equalize mode (what you need to fix this type of probelm) In equalize mode the battery chargering voltage is higher than the normal charging. Some chargers have timers for equalize based on standard practice ( typically 24-48 hrs). Equalize voltage for a 12 V wet cell battery is ~14.4V (depending on the battery manufacturer).
You may need to put them through multiple equalize cycles. I would recommend you try three 24 hr equalize cycles- if your charger can produce 14.4V ( A lot of off-the-shelf chargers only produce ~13.8V). You will also need something to discharge them between the cycles (something to use as a 12V loasd. Check the electrolyte level after each cycle.
Equalize for ~ 24 hrs->
check electrolyte- be carefull -> do not create any sparks or lite a cigarrette or other smokable material near a battery that has been equalized.
Discharge for ~ 1hr (time depends on the load) you should probably discharge at least 25% of the amp/hr or reserve capacity. Easiest is to use a digital voltmeter ( (radio shack- great for trouble shooting other boat & truck/trailer electrical problems )Discharge to ~ 11.8 to 12VDC
Repeat this process two more times. At this point I don't think you have much to lose by giving it a try.
Good luck.
Al
Edited by ESOX Maniac 12/13/2004 8:38 AM
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Posts: 743
| JohnMD, thanks thanks thanks for the post about my batteries. you are quite helpful.
Al Warner, again, the level of info i recieve from you for my continued battery posts is unparrelled. thanks for showing me the light.
if anyone else still has any idea/experiences, please share.
you guys rock!
tomcat
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Al, as usual.....You da' man! I always learn a lot reading your posts. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
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Another battery question....arrg.