02-23-2009, 02:28 PM
I also have a raft and plan on using an electric trolling motor in it this year, and I'm also on a budget. I had to do alot of studying to find out how to do it right.
Yes, you have to have a big heavy boat battery. They also must be deep cycle batteries. Wal mart has the cheapest ones I could find. I just bought the 115 amp hour one for about $70 for my Minn Kota 50 on my raft. From what I've heard that should last from a few hours to all day, depending on if I constantly troll or not. You can get smaller batteries, but they won't last as long on the water before you have to recharge them. Also, you don't ever want to discharge them under 30% charge or so. You then need to keep them charged up when not in use. Don't leave them sitting around half charged or you severely reduce the life and performance of the battery.
You will need a good charger. I got a 20 amp fully automatic charger at wal mart as well for about $60. These full-auto smart chargers have settings for all types of batteries, tell you the % charge, and will never overcharge a battery. Then you will need the manufacturer recommended circuit breaker, for about another $15 to $40 bucks or you can damage your engine.
You can use the cheaper un-sealed, lead-acid type batteries in a raft if you are smart and find a way to secure them (such as tying a rope around the battery and then to an oar lock or handle. You can buy sealed covers for batteries as well, similar to what the battery is in in your vehicle.
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Yes, you have to have a big heavy boat battery. They also must be deep cycle batteries. Wal mart has the cheapest ones I could find. I just bought the 115 amp hour one for about $70 for my Minn Kota 50 on my raft. From what I've heard that should last from a few hours to all day, depending on if I constantly troll or not. You can get smaller batteries, but they won't last as long on the water before you have to recharge them. Also, you don't ever want to discharge them under 30% charge or so. You then need to keep them charged up when not in use. Don't leave them sitting around half charged or you severely reduce the life and performance of the battery.
You will need a good charger. I got a 20 amp fully automatic charger at wal mart as well for about $60. These full-auto smart chargers have settings for all types of batteries, tell you the % charge, and will never overcharge a battery. Then you will need the manufacturer recommended circuit breaker, for about another $15 to $40 bucks or you can damage your engine.
You can use the cheaper un-sealed, lead-acid type batteries in a raft if you are smart and find a way to secure them (such as tying a rope around the battery and then to an oar lock or handle. You can buy sealed covers for batteries as well, similar to what the battery is in in your vehicle.
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