Fishing was tough today -- and having "technical difficulties" with the trolling motor didn't help at all. I tried several colors of 5" Yamamoto super grubs, a couple of small jointed crankbaits, and even the usually reliable 4" weightless senko (watermelon - blk/red flake). No takers...
My trolling motor did OK at first, but seemed to have less power than it did last year. On the way back to the launch, it was crawling even though the throttle was @ full power. I barely made it! Thank goodness the wind was blowing in the direction I wanted to go. Not sure what's going on. According to my charger, the battery was fully-charged but I've got my doubts about that. Maybe the connectors need to be cleaned? Maybe the battery needs to be replaced? (It's 4 years old.) The motor is a Minn Kota Maxxum which has a battery power level indicator, but when I pushed the "test" button after limping back to the launch, NONE of the lights came on -- even the one that says "recharge". Never seen THAT before.
I'm thinking it's time to add a second trolling motor & battery (one on each end). The extra power would come in handy when going from point A to point B -- and if one system goes belly-up, I've got a backup to get back to the launch.
This was NOT a good way to start the season...

Smalma

5/3/2009 8:50:00 PM

Hillbillygeek -
Probably not a problem with the electric motor but with your battery. After a number of charges (especially if you allow it to discharge over the winter) the battery loses its ability to hold a full charge. I have found that I usually end up replacing my batteries every 3 years or so.

Curt

Idstud

5/6/2009 5:44:00 PM

It happens to the best of us. My first outing this year I forgot to put the plug in. thank god I didnt leave the dock when I found out. Advice on batteries dont store them in the boat bring them in to your garage check the water level every year and fill with distilled water. Tap water unless you have your own well water has chlorine in it and makes batteries die faster. clean all connections and the batteries them selfs collection of dust also causes them to drain down. Charge your batteries and test to see of there holding a charge. Most auto stores like schmucks and auto zone will test them for free if you dont have a tester. If you do upgrade to new batteries get deep cycle there made for long use from trolling motors. Also they have made better battery chargers for deep cycle batteries. You want to give yourself 24hrs to charge on a trickle charge 1 to 2 amp do it slow. I have a battery in my truck Im had for 30+ years still running strong. Oh and Optima puts out nice batteries that are a gel type instead of liquid. tite lines

HillbillyGeek

5/6/2009 9:10:00 PM

Thanks for the tips LD!

HillbillyGeek

5/6/2009 9:12:00 PM

Forgot to thank smalma too. THANKS GUYS. I really appreciate the help!

Leave a Comment:

Login

Flag

×

Why is this comment inappropriate?

Close Submit

Delete this comment? Provide reason.

No Yes

Edit

×

Cancel Save