Cold battery performance

[zelek]

A group 29 12 volt deep cycle Interstate battery I've been using on a 55 lbs thrust trolling motor didn't perform quite so well the other night.

Temps were 35-40 degrees and it only held up 4 1/2 hours. Earlier this summer it lasted 17 hours during one marathon fishing night/day.

Is the colder temps the culprit?? I see the brochure does state that extreme cold battery temps result in an immediate reduction of battery effiency level. Let's see....here it says a fully charged battery at 32 degrees operates at only 65% effiency. Wow!!

Anyone else have this problem??

[united jigsticker]

You didn't mention the age of this battery.

The method of charging will affect the performance, and durability both short term, and long.

Slower, more thorough charges are the best way to go, as they create less heat and less stress on the H2So4 and Pb (sulfuric acid/water and lead)

Some folks use a 10 amp charge on their batterys, I personally use a 6 amp charge, and if you have all week, a 2 amp charge will give it the best charge in the long run.

I believe there would be reduced efficiency of the battery in colder temps, as it was 50 degrees colder, but I don't think it should be a 35% reduction, unless the battery is in poor condition or was of lower quality upon purchase or manufacturing.

35 degrees isn't even freezing, and molecular activity shouldn't have slowed that much. (unless you're trying to cut ends on Timberline shingles with a dull hook blade)

I have had excellent success with store brand batterys thus far, and they cost less money as well.

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Good fishing,
UJ
[email protected]

[Surface Tension]

The colder temps will reduce the batteries efficiency but at 35 degrees it wouldn't account for the 13 hour difference in running time. Where you trolling at the same speed both nights?

[Northlander]

Take it in to Interstate and they wil test it. If its a bad battery they will give ya a new one depending on age. If its just a older battery they may give ya a reduced price on a new one. I have had great customer service with them. Make sure you have your reciept, it makes the process a lot easier but the computer may still have ya in it.

[zelek]

The battery was brand new in May of this year.

I always charge my batteries up immediately after using them. As I understand it, damage is done to the plates from prolonged exposure to the discharged electrolyte so why try and get 2 or 3 days out of them...right??

I use a Schumacher Speed Charge smart charger. It "reads" the battery and either charges it at 2A or 30A-10A. I like the fact that it shuts off when complete and doesn't boil the batteries.

As for the difference in trolling speed--I was way harder on the battery during the marathon session. The lake was like glass the night I got only 4 1/2 hours out of it so I'd be surprised if I ever even reached 50% of top speed.

The Interstate rep tested it today and said he really doubts if the battery is bad. He couldn't be absolutely positive without some big dollar tester that wasn't available to him yet..so he just gave me a new one.

I'll be comparing how this one performs under similar conditions and will let you guys know if you want.

[Northlander]

Thats why I like Interstate so much, they stick behind their stuff! Im glad it worked out but let us know how the new one works out. I can use my 55# thrust trolling motor for about 3-4 days on my Interstate. Thats great when in Canada for 7 days. I just switch over to my spare and away I go again.