alternative trolling battery.

[newatthis]

I have a 10' jon boat that I do small creak fishing with just using my trolling motor. The large marine battery that I use on my other boat is just huge for this small craft. I've been looking for an alternative battery but don't do this type of fishing enough to spend hundreds of dollars on a small battery made for this aplication. I have been looking seriously into power wheel chair batteries, small and relitively inexpensive. Has anyone else seen this or done this. Input or any other suggestions would be great.

 

[JB]

Re: alternative trolling battery.

What sort of battery is gonna cost "hundreds of dollars"?

Go to Wal Mart and get a small size deep cycle Everstart marine battery. $60-$70, max. You can use it as a backup on the big boat.

 

[jtexas]

Re: alternative trolling battery.

walmarts everstart trolling batt, $35, one year free replacement. Be sure to recharge it soon as you get home and keep it topped off.

or two six-volt batteries in series, like for lawn equipment, but they may not last long in a deepcycle application

 

[ZmOz]

Re: alternative trolling battery.

Remember, you always want the heaviest battery you can safely fit in your boat. Lightweight in batteries simply means less storage and lower quality.

 

[newatthis]

Re: alternative trolling battery.

I guess what I mean in small is something smaller than say a car batt. The only marine batts I've ever seen at wallyworld are about the size of a car batt. The ones I've found for marine aplications that are say 6"s tall not that much wider wind up in the 170's to 200+ price range. I guess when I said small It's all relitive. The wheel chair batts I've found can be purchases around 35 bucks are about 6"'s up and down. Can be mounted in any configuration and are deep cycle. The electrical side of this idea is what I'm not sure of and I'm still looking into it.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: alternative trolling battery.

What you don't seem to realize is smaller battery = less electricity. Just like you wouldn't start your car with an AA battery you're not going to power your boat with a wheelchair battery. Wheelchair batteries are around 30 amp hours, that is simply not big enough to run a trolling motor. You'd get well under an hour of run time even at low speeds.

 

[Boatist]

Re: alternative trolling battery.

Also for the same amp hours you can bet the wheel chair Battery cost a lot more. Costco or Wallmart very hard to beat.

 

[newatthis]

Re: alternative trolling battery.

I get ya now, That makes since. I guess the wlamart bat seems to be the best choice. I do need more than an hour out of it. Do you guys have any suggestions for good prices on small marine batteries. With my small jon the larger marine bat, say as in walmart, stands taller than the darn bench seats. Plus my 8 yr old fishing partne needs the room. Thanks so much for the info and responses.