Advice on a new Trolling Motor Setup requested

[CrookedLaker]

Hello all,
I've got a 14' Starcraft Aluminum boat I use on a small lake in upstate NY. Only trolling motors are allowed on this lake. I was previously using two 40lb Enduras. I know I know....it was just for a season.

I've ordered a new Minn Kota Traxxis 80lb motor. I know it is probably more than I need, but the lake has a lot of ground to cover between honey holes and I really want a decent top speed.

About all I know about 24 volt systems has been gleamed from the innanetz in the last few days. I understand the basics: how to configure two 12v in series, basic charging skills, battery types, etc.

Where I get stupid:
- Best battery choice: I was going to blow some $$ on Optima D27M's, but it appears that they are not rated as high in amp hours as others. Minn Kota days 110 amp hours is best. I'm kind of stupid on this and my basic understanding is that I need AT least the amp hours for the max draw the motor demands right? Bearing in mind I'm going for top speed on this rig, what would someone reccomend?


- Given the answer above, what charging system would you go with? What gauge Jumper?

- The boat has a live well pump and a night light system. Can I hook that up to the 24v system? How would I do that exactly? Eventually I'm going to add a Fish Cheater(finder), and then will put a devoted battery in for all.

Thanks in advance for helping out a rookie!

 

[Bondo]

but it appears that they are not rated as high in amp hours as others. Minn Kota days 110 amp hours is best.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... Amp Hours is how long the battery can maintain voltage,....

Those batteries may not be the Best choice,....
It's hard to beat lead acid for Amp Hours,....

I would look at Minn Kota's suggestion as Minimum,....

 

[CrookedLaker]

Thanks! I'm now thinking a good Lead-Acd then - Perhaps the Interstate SRM-29?

What gauge jumper should I use you think? I need about 4.5 feet between the batteries. I was thinking 4-6 gauge?

 

[NYBo]

Welcome to iboats!:welcome:

You need to know that increased thrust doesn't directly equate to increased speed. Trolling motors are propped to max out at something like 3-4 MPH regardless of thrust rating.

For the jumper, use the same gauge as recommended for the rest of the wiring.

 

[CrookedLaker]

Yes I bought an aftermarket prop pitched for speed.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Back when I was runnin' an electric trollin' motor on my canoe, I used a battery like this one,....

Lotsa power, for a long time,....

I also heated the prop in my oven, 'n bent the blades for more pitch,.....
It would go fast enough to cut a wake,....
Donno how fast it was, but w aa yyy faster than we could paddle,....

 

[CrookedLaker]

Holy cow. That battery is a monster!

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... To run an electric motor at Wot all day long, ya need a Big energy tank,....

Wot will drag down a battery very quickly,....

 

[Silvertip]

And a high pitch prop will suck it dry even faster.