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Written By: Rick McFerrin
www.tennesseebassguides.com
Introduction
Every week when I'm on the water I see younger and younger folks
launching their boats. 30-40 years ago that was me. Just seems like
yesterday. Not that I have all the answers, but over these past years I
have learned some things the hard way. Like many of you, I've paid my
stupid tax. I've earned my sign. Sometimes trial and error can be a hard
teacher. I hope this article will help some younger folks avoid some of
this when it comes to being properly prepared when you reach the lake.
I guess I'm showing my age when I begin to quote old sayings like the
title of this article. For those of you that are considerably younger
than me this old saying simply means your in a world of hurt with no
immediate help in sight. Have you ever been there? Not a good feeling to
be in a situation like that is it? Hey! I can tell you another one.
Ready? How about being at the ramp and your cranking battery is dead? Or
even worse your 19 miles from no where and the cranking battery won't
even click! Or you have worked 90 hours this week at your job, you
finally have a day off. Your at the lake sitting right on top of a whole
heard of 10 pound largemouth that haven't eaten in 2 weeks. They would
hit a potato chip if you could get it in front of them. The wind picks
up to 20mph and your trolling motor batteries are D-E-A-D! Man that's
not a bad dream that's a nightmare.
Does any of this ring a bell? Have you ever been "Up The Creek" with
battery problems? All joking aside I've learned that it's easy not to
pay enough attention to the condition of the batteries aboard your boat.
You see our minds are focused on "Rods"-"Reels"-"Lures"-"GPS" etc.
Hopefully this Tip's Article will answer some questions that may save
you some frustration on the water somewhere down the road. Let's take a
look.
The One Battery Type Will
Work For All Marine
Application Theory
Through out the year I have the opportunity to hold many instructional
seminars speaking on a variety of subjects. I discuss
rods-reels-line-lures and techniques that work for me on a seasonal
basis. One area that I stress in every seminar is the "One rod for all
techniques theory" just doesn't work. As a matter of fact when you try
to use the same rod for everything, from throwing small hair flies to
crank baits to spinner baits to top water to Carolina rigging etc All
your doing is setting yourself up for frustration and sure failure. You
see, the same principle applies directly to batteries that we use in our
boats. The "One Battery Theory" is just plain wrong! Let me explain.
When we buy a new boat the manufacturer installs marine batteries that
meet the need of that boat based on the electrical equipment that's
onboard. Then after several years and multiple usage these batteries
will naturally need to be replaced. What do we do then? Let me answer
this question by explaining what we shouldn't do. It's tempting with all
the rising costs for gas and oil that we put in our boats to think "I'll
scrimp a little here" and buy a cheaper car battery for my boat instead
of a marine battery. WRONG! WRONG! If you do this you will look back and
say "@#$%^&*" That's code for what a dummy. Let's look at the
difference.
Car Batteries
Car batteries are designed to provide a maximum amount of current in
short bursts. These batteries are designed this way to provide the
needed current to turn over the cars engine. Then when the motor starts
the alternator takes over and provides power for the car. With this type
of system a car battery may never be drained more than 20% of it's total
capacity. When used this way a car battery can last for years. Not to
get too technical but a car battery uses thin plates in order to
increase it's surface area and provide power. But on the other hand.
Deep Cell Marine Batteries
Where car batteries are designed to provide short bursts of current a
marine battery is designed to provide a steady amount of current over a
long period of time. A deep cell battery can provide a surge when you
need it but not near the surge a car battery can. Deep cell batteries
are designed to be "Deeply Discharged" over and over again. Please catch
this! Deep discharge of a car battery over and over will ruin the
battery quickly! Thus "Up The Creek Without A Paddle" See where I'm
going? Marine deep cell batteries can withstand several 100 total
discharge/recharge cycles. While a car battery is not designed to be
completely discharged. So how do I choose the right type of deep cell
marine battery to meet my need?
Choosing The Right Battery
This can be a fairly simple process if you haven't added additional
aftermarket electrical equipment to your boat since you bought it. If
everything is status quo and your current batteries were meeting your
needs then replace them with the same Amp Hour rated deep cell battery.
But, if you have added additional equipment your minimum Amp Hour
requirement will naturally increase. This is where you need to discuss
your current needs with a trained battery technician. When replacing
trolling motor batteries you need to know that a 12 volt system requires
a minimum of 1.1 to 1.2 amps per pound of thrust. A 24 volt system
requires .85 to .95 amps per pound of thrust. And a 36 volt system
requires .5 to .55 amps per pound of thrust. Once again this is where a
trained battery tech can save you a lot of frustration and head aches.
Now that I have the right batteries how do I recharge them?
Charging My Boat Batteries
Most bass boats manufactured to day come equipped with onboard chargers.
So for many of us as long as they are working correctly our need is
already met. But what if the charger isn't working correctly or your
boat and you need to buy a new one? There are several different types of
chargers on the market today that can be used to charge deep cell
batteries. Most of them are parallel type chargers that have the
capacity to taper the current (in amps) while regulating voltage at the
same time. With so many brands on the market today here's some
suggestions that might help you.
(1) Choose the right charger that is made for the type of battery you
intend to recharge. Such as (a) Liquid Electrolyte (b) Marine/RV (c)
Auto (d) Maintenance free or gel batteries. (2) Match the proper battery
voltage such as 6 volt-12 volt-24 volt or 36 volt. (3) Choose the
correct charger size in Amps. A good rule of thumb is that the charger
should provide a maximum of 20 amps for each 100 amp hour of the battery
(4) Your charger should be able to fully charge your batteries within 8
to 12 hours max. (5) To avoid costly mistakes choose a charger that is
timed or will automatically shut off when the battery reaches full
charge.
Additional Tip's
This is important. (1) Always charge your batteries immediately after
you use them When you allow batteries to sit several days without
recharging it will hamper the recharge acceptance and over a period of
time shorten the life of your battery. (2) Avoid trickle chargers. For
the most part these chargers are low current inexpensive chargers that
lack the sophisticated electronic circuitry to properly regulate current
and voltage. When you use a charger like this Don't use it for any
length of time because battery damage can occur. (3) Check your
batteries water supply regularly. By doing this you can determine
whether your onboard or external charger is operating the way it should.
If your batteries are using excessive water your charger may be
overheating and overcharging charging your batteries. If your running
out of power quicker than normal you need to check not only the charger
but your battery condition as well.
Conclusion
Here at Tennessee Bass Guides our team is on the water 1000's of hours
each year. We depend on having batteries that will meet our needs day in
day out. Cold weather-hot weather-daytime or night. Just like you we
can't afford to be "Up The Creek Without". That's why we only use
Interstate Batteries in our boats. Interstate is the #1 Selling Marine
battery on the market today. When you are in need of a new battery or
advice on your battery needs check out your nearest Interstate dealer.
These guy's know batteries inside and out and are always happy to help
you diagnosis your needs. If you are in the middle Tennessee area see
Chris Woods General manger of the Interstate Battery store at 3729
Highway 109 North in Lebanon Tennessee. If your not sure where they are
located call 1-615-449-2555 for direction. I sincerely hope this Tip's
Article will help someone that is new to boats and batteries. Hope to
see you on the water. Rick McFerrin owner
www.tennesseebassguides.com
Rick McFerrin is a Fishing Guide and owner of
Tennessee
Bass Guides.com
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