24volt system not holding charge.

[Matt C]

My Terrova is only holding enough charge for about 4 hours.

I have had my batteries tested, and they are good. Decided to unhook my on-board charger and use my regular charger to eliminate that charger.

Still no go. Could there be a 'leak' in my wiring up to the Terrova?

[Ed Carlson]

How big of Terrova, how many battery's in use, and how hard of use? Anything else running off the batteries?

If the power is there and full once charged, and then drains at the same rate under the same general load, it still likely sounds like batteries to me?

If the wiring was extended and you used too light of gage wiring that may lessen it's efficiency too?

[Esox_Magnum]

Mine has only came down to 3/4 charge after 11 hours of use so far in 1 days fishing. I would say battery issue or like Ed said to light of gauge wire. Should be 6ga, could also be a motor problem drawing power when stowed? Is the green light off when stowed?

[Matt C]

Its the Terrova 80. AP/US2. 2009. Its on an 09 Trophy 195.

Green light comes off when stowed. Automatic feature with the Terrovas.

As of right now, both batteries read 100%. After charging all night (20 + hours)

They are 2, group 27 Interstate batteries.

She'd run 6+ hours right when I got the boat. Last fall and now this spring it has been junk.

I have done no mods to it from what the dealer installed.

Like I said, batteries tested good at the dealer. They even replaced one of the batteries that didn't register 100%.

I'd hate to go spend $500 on new batteries to find out that's not the issue.

[Matt C]

I suppose the only other thing is to follow the wires from the batteries to the unit and look for cuts or nicks in the wire?

If nothing there, swallow my pride and tell the wife I gotta spend more $$ on the boat

[jeffreyd]

If you have one battery that was not taking and holding a charge, it would rob voltage and amps while charging from the "good" battery. This is why you need to change both batteries if one is bad. Take the good one and use it in something else. A fully charged battery if it is a 12 volt battery is suppose to show 12.66 volts not just 12 volts. 2.10 volts per cell x 6 cells is 12.66 volts. A battery that is only holding 12 volts could actually be bad. This all is in the "Interstate Battery Book".

[Esox_Magnum]

I have the 80# to but on a 17' fiberglass deep v, fished 2 tourneys so far this season with it both windy conditions and have yet to drop below 3/4 charge after 11 hours of almost constant use. I even have sub par 3 year old group 27 Never Start batteries.

Showing a charge on a meter and holding charge under a load are 2 different things, I'm sure they load tested them when they did test them? Mine still read 13.4 volts when fully charged according to my meter, same as my Interstate cranking battery reads on full charge.

[Juan Grande]

I'm sure you've thought of this, but make sure you unplug the trolling motor when the boat is not in use. The power light on it draws down the batteries in between uses.

[PerchJerker]

How did you have the batteries tested?

Voltage testing to see that they're 12+ volts is not going to let you know how strong the batteries are or how long they'll last. To test that, you need to have the batteries load tested. I don't know of any dealers that have a load tester --- typically you need to go to an auto parts store, or a Batteries Plus or some place like that.

Load testing should let you know if the batteries are the problem. Testing voltage only will not always tell you if they're bad.

[kg2]

You could perform an amp draw test while the motor is running (under load) to see if the Terrova is drawing more than it should. Specs say 56 W.O.T.

I bought my boat in mid-Sept 2008 and had to replace my trolling batteries this spring. I went from group 29s to 31s to get longer run time.

[Matt C]

I dropped the batteries off at the Dealer yesterday, told em fix or replace. I am waiting to hear back.

KG - 31's? How much more weight did that add? I am liking your thinking...Mine are currently 27's.