On Dec 25 2007, 6:41*pm, donquijote1954
wrote:
On Dec 25, 3:45*pm, Mike Romain wrote:





donquijote1954 wrote:
On Dec 24, 5:00 pm, donquijote1954
wrote:
Hey, guys, what you think about this one... it's cheap and cute...

http://westcobattery.com/chargers.html

OK, I think I got it. The small battery I had in mind was rated at
32Ah, which is the rated capacity of this charger. What I can do is
get two AGM small batteries (West Marine, on sale $96). Better weight
distribution in the canoe and more flexibility.

I would try to find out the power draw from those motors before spending
money.

The 'old' school Minn Kota motors (pre 85) would last an 8 hour day
fishing when pushing a freighter canoe with 5 people or a row boat with
3 or 4 people on one car sized battery.

The new motors are supposed to be much better for battery life also.

If you motor only draws say 2 amps on medium speed which is almost water
skiing speed in a canoe, the battery should last about 15 hours.

The motors I had needed a sea anchor to keep them slow enough for
trolling weed patches. *We used a bucket on a rope.

Mike

Good idea. Can you believe that I wrote to Minn Tonka asking their
motor's draw and they didn't even reply?

I guess I should be able to tell when I get it.-

Well, the motor is finally and I'm gonna reveal the secret...

"For best results use deep cycle Minn Kota marine batteries with at
least 105 amp hour rating. As a general on the water estimate, your 12
volt motor will draw 1.0 amp/hour for each pound of thrust produced
when the motor is running on high."

So at 40 thrust, that would be 40 amp/hour, and so... I need a big
battery! If I go for an AGM that would mean something like dishing out
over $200! Are you sure the fish are gonna bite that much?