Deep Cycle batteries

[gunflint]

I have been using #31 deep cycle batteries for my trolling motor and depth finder. I have a 55# thrust Maxxum. What would I lose by dropping down to a #27?

[Whoaru99]

May depend a little on how hard you run the trolling motor, but I'd say the #27 would run less time proportionally to the difference in amp-hours (or minutes reserve capacity) between the two batteries.

I think 27's are around 180 minutes (at 25 amps) and 31's are around 205 minutes (at 25 amps). So roughly speaking, I'd say the 27 will run about 12% LESS time at any given load.

[Guest]

I will agree with what the other guy said..

That 55# Minnkota is a battery eater(largest in 12V). If you are running in heavy winds regularly, higher speeds, or on a heavy boat.. you will probably not be happy with anything less than your 31. If you are putting around at 20% throttle pulling live bait rigs or positioning the boat for verticle jigging at slow speeds, you probably will never notice the decline in run time.

Does your battery ever run dead now in a day, or trip of fishing? I think thats a better question. If you never have issues with the battery running down now(except if you forget to charge), you probably wont with a smaller battery. A battery energy guage in the boat can be priceless for monitoring the life of your battery on an outing.

[gunflint]

So far battery life hasn't been an issue with the 31s. I very rarely run the maxxum at more than 50% power. It's used primarily for live bait presentations and bottom bouncing.

I've taken it to Sag and had it test low and run it for 6 or 7 hours and still didn't need to change batteries.

The reason I'm asking is that I want to move the battery storage compartment to the bow and I would like to lighten the weight up a bit.

[Northlander]

Gunflint I think for what you will save in weight your better off with more battery life. A couple pounds wont make that much difference but your always glad you have power. Just my 2 cents.

[Dennis Steele]

I'd stay with the 31's. For 5 or 10 bucks more, the extra power is worth it.

Running a 24volt 74lb Auto Pilot, I used to get about 8hrs of trolling time on the 31's.

I replaced them with 27's and now am only getting about 5 hrs.

[gunflint]

I think I'll stick with the 31s. It's not a money issue but a weight issue. I have to carry the batteries to the charger and those 31s are darn heavy. Especialy after hauling in all those big walleyes all day.