03-16-2009, 08:46 PM
Hi, I'm new to the list and have been tinkering with pontoons for many years. I built my own trolling motor and battery system because there wasn't anything on the market that fit my needs. My drive system and battery weighs under 9 lbs and can drive my pontoon for 4 hours at 3mph top speed. It uses a lightweight cordless drill battery that has been encased to be waterproofed and a specially designed very efficient motor and prop that can be steered with my legs. Don't have pictures or know how to post yet. No offense to anyone, and I know this sounds like I'm a jerk, but some details are proprietary and may not be able to post on advise of counsel.
Anyway if you're using the standard troll motors, it depends on how often you go out and how far or how long you go under power.
The cheapest way to go is the 7ah gels (SLA) used for UPS for computers which have by far the highest mass production rate by industry. Sometimes you can get these free from businesses that routinely rotate them out and which are essentially new for the most part. Surplus mail order places pick these batteries up, test and resell them at very low prices if you can't find them locally. Even new they are very reasonable. You can wire as many as you want in parallel to get whatever range you might want. You can also spread out the weight when you connect them, so everything remains balanced on your float tube.
The AGMs (Optima, etc.) are meant for very high current (power) draws such as electric vehicles and are overkill for troll motors IMHO. They do last longer under high stress conditions but are a waste in low power situations and especially if you only go out on holidays, etc. They will expire after maybe 400 of 80% cycles or about 8 years whether you use them or not (shelf life), even with proper maintainence.
Deep cycle flooded cells can be found cheaper than the larger sizes of SLA or AGM and are very rugged but require more maintainence and care about corrosive acid leaks. They are used in golf carts because of low cost.
All deep cycle batteries are hurt by deep discharge, so you normally want to buy something at least twice as big as you really need. That way you can keep discharges under 50% so they last longer, if you are a frequent user. Regular car batteries are not meant for deep discharge and won't last more than 20 deep discharges, though they are cheap if you only go out twice a year or so.
Hope this helps.
Pon
[quote forgiven]Now that I have the trolling motor, it is time to start looking for a deep cycle battery for my pontoon boat.
Any recommendations?
Lead Acid or Gell Cell or??????
Brands? Sizes?
What is good & what is trash?
What do you use?[/quote]
[signature]
Anyway if you're using the standard troll motors, it depends on how often you go out and how far or how long you go under power.
The cheapest way to go is the 7ah gels (SLA) used for UPS for computers which have by far the highest mass production rate by industry. Sometimes you can get these free from businesses that routinely rotate them out and which are essentially new for the most part. Surplus mail order places pick these batteries up, test and resell them at very low prices if you can't find them locally. Even new they are very reasonable. You can wire as many as you want in parallel to get whatever range you might want. You can also spread out the weight when you connect them, so everything remains balanced on your float tube.
The AGMs (Optima, etc.) are meant for very high current (power) draws such as electric vehicles and are overkill for troll motors IMHO. They do last longer under high stress conditions but are a waste in low power situations and especially if you only go out on holidays, etc. They will expire after maybe 400 of 80% cycles or about 8 years whether you use them or not (shelf life), even with proper maintainence.
Deep cycle flooded cells can be found cheaper than the larger sizes of SLA or AGM and are very rugged but require more maintainence and care about corrosive acid leaks. They are used in golf carts because of low cost.
All deep cycle batteries are hurt by deep discharge, so you normally want to buy something at least twice as big as you really need. That way you can keep discharges under 50% so they last longer, if you are a frequent user. Regular car batteries are not meant for deep discharge and won't last more than 20 deep discharges, though they are cheap if you only go out twice a year or so.
Hope this helps.
Pon
[quote forgiven]Now that I have the trolling motor, it is time to start looking for a deep cycle battery for my pontoon boat.
Any recommendations?
Lead Acid or Gell Cell or??????
Brands? Sizes?
What is good & what is trash?
What do you use?[/quote]
[signature]