Minn Kota Riptide

[Go Fish]

Well I just got my Riptide RT 55 transom mount electric trolling motor for use on my 10 foot Livingston. It should be just right for fishing between Sherwood Creek down to the south end of Treasure Island. I know there was a thread back in 05 about batteries and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the new AGM battery. Also I am going to need a new charger. What do you think? Thanks David

[BFK]

Minn Kota makes a good charger intended for deep-cycle batteries. I don't remember the exact drill, but there is something about the way the cells need to be charged that differs from an auto battery.

I've only used wet-cell batteries, so I can't comment on the AGMs.

[Jim Wallace]

I've got a Riptide 50 lb thrust, and I use an AGM in the size "group 24" as that provides enough juice to run it. Bigger batteries last longer, but they weight too much for a small craft.
AGM batteries cost about three times as much as a standard wet cell deep cycle, and have about twice the life (number of discharges/recharges before its ability to hold a charge starts declining). I like that they don't need maintenance and are spill-proof.
The standard wet cell deep cycles are a lot cheaper way to go.

Buy a good charger...a so-called "smart-charger" with 2 amp, 12 amp, and 25 amp settings, and separate settings for regular, deep cycle, and AGM, or something similar. You need a good "smart charger" for AGMs. A cheap simple charger won't work properly with them.

There's a good discussion on batteries (a couple of good threads) on the Dan Blanton forum. Scroll down until you find them.

[Go Fish]

Thanks for the info Jim. I am going to get an AGM type battery I just need to figure what size to get and how it will work in my Livingston. David

[Jim Wallace]

Your 55 lbs thrust will drain most batteries in about two hours if you run the motor at top speed. The charge lasts considerably longer using slower speeds. A group 24 AGM from Cabelas weighs about 52 lbs, and that is as heavy as I want to deal with.
When I'm heading out on longer trips, I take two batteries.

[Go Fish]

Do you drain your battery all the way down or do you only go to a low level of charge then quit? I don't plan on going full speed, just drifting with the tide and wind. I've found with a gas motor it can be difficult to go slow enough. I think that with my small boat I should be able to go 4 to 6 hours if I'm prudent on its usage. Thanks David

[Jim Wallace]

I never drain a battery all the way down. When it starts getting noticeably weaker, I either switch to the other one, or plan on shutting off the electric soon.
When I put a "nearly fully drained" battery (one where I have used up as much charge as I think i can get away with without hurting the battery) on the charger, it registers at about 56% to 59% charge. If you drain it to where it reads 50% charge, that is drained down all the way....too much. That weakens the ability of the battery to hold a charge. Regular overdraining will kill off a deep cell before its normal life expectancy.

Prudent usage will give you your 4 to 6 hours. I get all-day use out of one battery when on a lake, with intermittent use and slow trolling.

[Go Fish]

Jim if I understand you I should not use an AGM battery below 55% of its charge. Other than the motor slowing down how would I tell while out fishing? A meter? I am definately going with the Cabellas AGM and charger combo. Might as well do it right, once. David

[montnative]

Joe's sells a cool battery case with a charge meter and a car lighter output on it if you need to plug something in. I cant remember how much it was but it's a pretty cool accessory. :thumb:

[Go Fish]

Yeah I'm going to get a case also. With a built in meter I should know the strength of the charge on the battery. David

[Jim Wallace]

Go Fish, a meter is probably a good idea. I have used mine enough to have a feel for when the battery is about done for the day. I discovered how far i could drain one down without killing one by draining a regular wet cell down too far and killing it. It was already beginning to hold less of a charge, though, and I basically put it out of its misery one day when I was late getting back to the ramp, and it was dark and drizzling so I said to myself, "What the hay I'm outa here ... lets see how much juice can be squeezed outa this old battery."
I wanted to see how much i could get out of it and I found out. Don't repeat my mistake! When an older battery starts to hold less of a charge, there is still plenty of use to be gotten out of it if you "top off" the charge each time just prior to heading out, and use the battery prudently and sparingly for lake trolling. Charge 'em up asap when you get back to your charger.

[Go Fish]

Jim thanks for all the good info! I'll keep you posted on how the rig works. I'm hoping for a banner year of SRC and salmon fishing in Case Inlet. David

[pvsprme]

Have you bought your battery yet? I got a 22AH AGM to run a Rip-Tide 30 and love it, Get the case @ Cabelas, handle is weak but the rest is worth it. Circuit breaker alone is worth more than the case, add the meter & aux input. I use a camstrap to carry it instead of the handle. By the way, look for an independant label regarding the Battery. I found a local battery dealer selling EastPenn-Deka battery(probably make it for Cabelas) for $95 with a case( no meter/CB/Aux). Only 3 or 4 battery mfgr's in US due to EPA (lead). Intelligent Charger is a Must! I can take mine from 2/3 used to full in < 1 hour. B&D Vector # VEC1093DBD was < $100 @ WalMart (yeah, I hate 'em but....).
http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/
Check 'em out, lots of useful info, choosing/applications/maintenance, etc.
Good luck,
Robert