Trolling motor battery life expectancy

[jozzy27]

Just bought a new boat and it came with 2 marine batteries for the trolling motor. The batteries have not been used in a few years (according to the previous owner) and from the markings on the batteries they were purchased in Aug 2000. I trickle charged them overnight at the 12 volt/2 amp setting on my good ol' Schumacher manual charger overnight - but they're still hovering around the zero mark on the reading. Are they salvageable? Now I may show my lack of battery knowledge with this question - but do I add distilled water to the cells or is there any way to bring these guys back from the dead? I think Fleet Farm is calling my name.<br /><br />Thanks in advance!

 

[briannh1234]

Re: Trolling motor battery life expectancy

5 years old - With the best battery maintence you should only expect 6 or 7 years. Probably toast.<br /><br />When you say the 0 mark on reading - do you mean volts? 0 volts even after an overnite charge?<br /><br />Use distilled water only. Some swear by a desulfating charger, but I have never tried one myself.<br /><br />I would be tempted to try a higher amperage charger before giving up. Get a pair of jumper cables. Bring the battery over to your car and remove the caps. Then with your car engine running jump the dead battery to your car battery. (Make sure to wear old clothes and stand back - battery acid could spray everywhere from the old battery.) Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then disconnect the jumper cables and let your car run another 5 minutes. Might want to have the meter connected while trying this proceedure. If the meter does not show a rise in voltage peaking out at about 14 volts then the batteries are toast.<br /><br />Walmart has a nice selection of batteries. Look for Marine Deep cycle, and you may want to double check how many amp-hours you need.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Trolling motor battery life expectancy

I just bought two new batteries for my Troller. I have used every battery known to man I think over the last 30 years. I bought a pair of group 24 trojans, and could not be happier. I can fish in the wind for 12 hours and still be in good shape. Spendy, but IMHO well worth it. If you bought the 27s, you could fish two days of normal use.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Trolling motor battery life expectancy

You can try to bring back the dead. Or get 2 new Chickee Doo's to really dance for you.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Trolling motor battery life expectancy

I got a pair of Trojans also....24's....and a 850 cranker for the ol' 90hp. I left the cranker set in the boat from last Sept. to this April right before we went south for fishing. I thought it would be dead......WRONG!! That thing cranked the 90 like nothing. I am, very pleased...... Agree mucho with LD on the Trojans......but why did they have to choose the name......TROJAN????? Reminds me of gas station restrooms and the machines.......well....you get the idea.

 

[bnk999]

Re: Trolling motor battery life expectancy

I would replace 'em -- I had a battery go bad just like that I let it sit overnight on the charger-- and still zero- took it autozone and had them charge it -- still zero --

 

[jurgenscraft]

Re: Trolling motor battery life expectancy

I would not take a chance with old batteries like that, even if you you were somehow able to revive them ,I think the chemical properties of the plates have changed to such a extent that they are not worth the risk of being stranded out there somewhere , I test my batteries on a regular basis with a load tester and this gives me a indication as to the condition of my batteries, good battery maintaince is the answer,keep 'em fully charged at all times,use a smart charger,best investement you will ever make.bye, <br />Kind Regards.<br />William Wright.

 

[Tatorbug]

Re: Trolling motor battery life expectancy

Those batteries have probably exceed their life expectancy. When trolling batteries start giving up early after being charged, they are ready for replacement.