Bad Battery

nofearengineer · 07-17-09, 12:11 AM

Well, I checked my batteries a couple of months ago, and they were fine. They are Interstate Megatron Deep Cycle Batteries...a good brand. The first thing I do when I get home from fishing is plug in the smart charger. I keep the terminals spotless. But one of them is now reading 10.6V after the charger shuts down with a green light. The other is at 13.3V

I am wondering if this is what is messed up my trolling motor. I read 23.9 V at the trolling motor receptacle, but the motor is still weak. Has anyone ever had a bad battery whack their trolling motor's circuitry? I'm reaching new levels of desperation now. I was looking at over $1100 to upgrade to a 36V system, but now the bad battery will add about $200 more. Even if I only spend $200-300 to fix my trolling motor, I still have to buy that stinking battery. grrrr. B.O.A.T. "Break out another thousand" is right. I might be off the water a while.

southernbassguy · 07-17-09, 01:49 AM

You need to check your amps in the battery. Voltage is great but the amps is what really does the work. As a mechanic I've seen automotive batteries say 12 volts but didn't have enough amp the crank the car. you can take your batteries to a automotive parts place and have them check them or purchase a battery load tester yourself at the same place. BEWARE!!!! Safety is always first especially with batteries. They are not something to play with. Especially one in question of condition. If you do get a tester yourself (they are not that expencive and are very handy) connect up the leads and put a blanket or towel or fender cover just something over the battery and were some kind of glasses. This may sound like alot but I had one to explode on me one time and it is a very unpleasant experiance. You don't need to be afraid of them just a little cautious. I don't really think a bad battery would've burned up your trolling motor though.

nofearengineer · 07-17-09, 09:46 AM

Actually, I think I missed something here in my reasoning.

It might be wishful thinking, but I am wondering if just changing the battery will fix the whole problem. If the battery has a dead cell, maybe the amperage is severely limited, which would explain why the motor runs at proper speed in air, but doesn't have enough torque to spin in water.

I'm going to look for a new deep cycle battery tonight. Even if the motor does turn out to be bad, I'll still need the battery, so it won't be wasted money.

Thanks for listening to me complain.

OrygunBasser · 07-17-09, 01:57 PM

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you will need to replace both batteries as they need to be of the same manufacture, age and capacity! They equalize out each other and a weak battery will weaken the new one!

nofearengineer · 07-17-09, 02:04 PM

Sorry to be the bearer of good news, but they're connected in series. Equalizing only happens with parallel connections.

Captmikestarrett · 07-17-09, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrygunBasser

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you will need to replace both batteries as they need to be of the same manufacture, age and capacity! They equalize out each other and a weak battery will weaken the new one!

He is correct BTW.

in serial they charge across each cell and also discharge. So in escense they act as one whole battery.

in paralell they combine amp hours with out change in volts,

A simple gravity test float will check each cell. Only use distilled water as well for adding dry cells.

Capt Mike

nofearengineer · 07-17-09, 07:42 PM

Mike...he is only correct if I use a 24V charger accross the series. I charge each battery individually with its own 12V bank. The individual cells are free to equalize within each battery, but not across both batteries.

zooker · 07-17-09, 02:15 PM

check the water level in the weaker battery.. pry the caps off carefully... bet one of the cells is low on water..

heat of summer and cold of winter will pull the water out of the batteries..

zooker

nofearengineer · 07-17-09, 02:24 PM

Thanks, Zook...I will indeed do that.

BTW, Orygun...I wasn't tryin' to be a smarta$$. I'm just happy at the prospect of spending way less than I thought I was going to.

I should have said "since I run these two batteries in series, and use a two bank 12V charger, they will not equalize. I have read where people will hit the pair with a 24V charger...in which case, yes, they might charge unevenly and be damaged.

zooker · 07-17-09, 02:27 PM

first rule of trouble shooting un plug the onboard charger. use a trickle charger one for each battery. i slung my on board a LONG time ago. and use a standard 2 amp trickle charger.-mine looks like it fell down cement stairs and was run over but it still works-

zooker

nofearengineer · 07-17-09, 07:20 PM

Zook...I open up the battery, and it wasn't missing but a few cc's of water. I filled it up to the bottom of the hole, put the caps on it, and put it on the charger. Same story...10.6V. Tomorrow I am off to the local battery shop to pick up a new Optima.

I heard some of these batteries might have had a 72 month warranty on them. I'm going to see if I can work something out.

MississippiBoy · 07-18-09, 10:04 PM

Better having to get a new battery vs. a new trolling motor. (Just ask Woody

)
Glad you figured it out.

bamabassman · 07-18-09, 10:29 PM

bryce....remind me to tell you to put in good ol kuntry angliash how to do sumthin when i need help ok? hahahahahahaha. glad you got trolling ok. now go catch a fish or 2 pal.

nofearengineer · 07-19-09, 12:19 AM

Bama...if'n I can ever be of help to you and yorn, just holler.

07-17-09, 12:11 AM	#1
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Bad Battery Well, I checked my batteries a couple of months ago, and they were fine. They are Interstate Megatron Deep Cycle Batteries...a good brand. The first thing I do when I get home from fishing is plug in the smart charger. I keep the terminals spotless. But one of them is now reading 10.6V after the charger shuts down with a green light. The other is at 13.3V I am wondering if this is what is messed up my trolling motor. I read 23.9 V at the trolling motor receptacle, but the motor is still weak. Has anyone ever had a bad battery whack their trolling motor's circuitry? I'm reaching new levels of desperation now. I was looking at over $1100 to upgrade to a 36V system, but now the bad battery will add about $200 more. Even if I only spend $200-300 to fix my trolling motor, I still have to buy that stinking battery. grrrr. B.O.A.T. "Break out another thousand" is right. I might be off the water a while. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-17-09, 09:46 AM	#3
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Actually, I think I missed something here in my reasoning. It might be wishful thinking, but I am wondering if just changing the battery will fix the whole problem. If the battery has a dead cell, maybe the amperage is severely limited, which would explain why the motor runs at proper speed in air, but doesn't have enough torque to spin in water. I'm going to look for a new deep cycle battery tonight. Even if the motor does turn out to be bad, I'll still need the battery, so it won't be wasted money. Thanks for listening to me complain. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-17-09, 01:57 PM	#4
OrygunBasser BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lakeside, Oregon Posts: 159	Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you will need to replace both batteries as they need to be of the same manufacture, age and capacity! They equalize out each other and a weak battery will weaken the new one! __________________ You may practice catch and release as a religion but that doesn't mean that the next person has to bow down to your god!

07-17-09, 02:04 PM	#5
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Sorry to be the bearer of good news, but they're connected in series. Equalizing only happens with parallel connections. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-17-09, 07:42 PM	#7
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Mike...he is only correct if I use a 24V charger accross the series. I charge each battery individually with its own 12V bank. The individual cells are free to equalize within each battery, but not across both batteries. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-17-09, 01:49 AM	#2
southernbassguy BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: birmingham, alabama Posts: 10	You need to check your amps in the battery. Voltage is great but the amps is what really does the work. As a mechanic I've seen automotive batteries say 12 volts but didn't have enough amp the crank the car. you can take your batteries to a automotive parts place and have them check them or purchase a battery load tester yourself at the same place. BEWARE!!!! Safety is always first especially with batteries. They are not something to play with. Especially one in question of condition. If you do get a tester yourself (they are not that expencive and are very handy) connect up the leads and put a blanket or towel or fender cover just something over the battery and were some kind of glasses. This may sound like alot but I had one to explode on me one time and it is a very unpleasant experiance. You don't need to be afraid of them just a little cautious. I don't really think a bad battery would've burned up your trolling motor though.

07-17-09, 02:15 PM	#8
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	check the water level in the weaker battery.. pry the caps off carefully... bet one of the cells is low on water.. heat of summer and cold of winter will pull the water out of the batteries.. zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

07-17-09, 02:24 PM	#9
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Thanks, Zook...I will indeed do that. BTW, Orygun...I wasn't tryin' to be a smarta$$. I'm just happy at the prospect of spending way less than I thought I was going to. I should have said "since I run these two batteries in series, and use a two bank 12V charger, they will not equalize. I have read where people will hit the pair with a 24V charger...in which case, yes, they might charge unevenly and be damaged. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-17-09, 02:27 PM	#10
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	first rule of trouble shooting un plug the onboard charger. use a trickle charger one for each battery. i slung my on board a LONG time ago. and use a standard 2 amp trickle charger.-mine looks like it fell down cement stairs and was run over but it still works- zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

07-17-09, 07:20 PM	#11
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Zook...I open up the battery, and it wasn't missing but a few cc's of water. I filled it up to the bottom of the hole, put the caps on it, and put it on the charger. Same story...10.6V. Tomorrow I am off to the local battery shop to pick up a new Optima. I heard some of these batteries might have had a 72 month warranty on them. I'm going to see if I can work something out. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-18-09, 10:04 PM	#12
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	Better having to get a new battery vs. a new trolling motor. (Just ask Woody) Glad you figured it out. __________________ I smell smoke, and I hear sirens. Do you think that's a problem?

07-18-09, 10:29 PM	#13
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	bryce....remind me to tell you to put in good ol kuntry angliash how to do sumthin when i need help ok? hahahahahahaha. glad you got trolling ok. now go catch a fish or 2 pal. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

07-19-09, 12:19 AM	#14
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Bama...if'n I can ever be of help to you and yorn, just holler. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

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