Gel or AGM?

[kevinnugent59]

Hi guys

I don't pick the boat up until this Wednesday, and already I'm thinking I'll have one piece of equipment on the boat that will need upgrading.

The dealer has said "don't worry about the battery for the Minn Kota, I'll throw one in for free". Now, as sceptical as I am I'm assuming this won't be a wiz bang new AGM or Gel 100 amp hour battery.

Does anyone have recommendations as to what would be best for us to use? I'm assuming also that the rrp of the new AGM 100's are around $300. So, please be gentle! The battery will be needed to power the Humminbird sounder most of the time, the electric motor for a lot of the day and the nav lights at night. The engine is a pull-start job, so I'll be charging at night beforehand.

Regards
Kevin

[donfish]

Hi Kev
Let us know what size electric your getting with the new boat as it will make working out battery size a little easier.

donfish


ps good luck with the new boat.

[Bassifier]

Trust me, If hes "throwing it in for free" it will probably be completely ill suited for your needs....
tell us what lb motor you are running.

[kevinnugent59]

Originally posted by Bassifier
Trust me, If hes "throwing it in for free" it will probably be completely ill suited for your needs....
tell us what lb motor you are running.

Sorry guys ... silly of me to leave that info out. It's a Endura 30lb - the baby of the range.

Kevin

[Bassifier]

And what battery does he intend to give you?
Marine regular?
Deep cycle?
and what amp hour level?

[kevinnugent59]

Originally posted by Bassifier
And what battery does he intend to give you?
Marine regular?
Deep cycle?
and what amp hour level?

Sorry it took so long to get back to you, Bass. I've been out zooming around Hinze Dam with the new electric motor.

The battery I got is a Century Marine Pro 500. I've looked on it, and on the web and can't find any Amp Hour settings.

You know anything about these?

Kevin

[Simon]

Don't be surprised if you get alot of clutter or interference on your sounder by running it off the same battery as the electric. it might not be so bad with the 30 but it wouldn't hurt to try running the sounder off a different power supply just to se if it does make a difference. It will ultimately depend on the quality of the sounder but often the electric motors give some sort of electrical feed back which can show up on the sounder screen when run from the same source giving a more cluttered return.

Cheers

Simon.

[pete s]

i was up hinze dam way last january and went on a bass charter. best 4 hours fishing of my life....made the 2.30am alarm worthwhile

here is a pic of my biggest bass....cant wait to go back there.

[kevinnugent59]

Originally posted by pete s
i was up hinze dam way last january and went on a bass charter. best 4 hours fishing of my life....made the 2.30am alarm worthwhile
...cant wait to go back there.

We had a lovely few hours there this afternoon. I'd just picked up the new boat and as Gwen (my lovely wife) really likes the surrounds of Hinze we thought we'd give her the first trial there and have a zoom around.

The was a fair wind this afternoon, but the water was lovely, and nature was being very nice to us. I have to admit, it's a very relaxing spot. I couldn't really appreciate it today as I was concerned about the battery dying and/or the boat not performing well, but by around 5:30pm we'd shaken loose the cobwebs and were having a lovely afternoon. Pity the fish weren't jumping in the boat.

Kevin

[Dave W]

If you're into Bass fella's get up to Glenbawn - you will have a heart attack at some of the fish in there.

Here's a couple I got a bit earlier in the year (do you like the shirt???)

Cheers,

[kevinnugent59]

Originally posted by Dave W
If you're into Bass fella's get up to Glenbawn - you will have a heart attack at some of the fish in there.

Here's a couple I got a bit earlier in the year (do you like the shirt???)

Don't worry Dave ... it's on the agenda. And with photo's like that, it only makes me more determined to get there SOONER rather than later.

That shirt *does* look familiar! Where have I seen it before???

Kevin

[Bassifier]

Im pretty sure that battery is not deep cycle, its designed for cold cranking amps therefore unfit for recharging and discharging.
I could be wrong though, couldnt be arsed looking at the website!

[Stevo]

That battery is a high cranking Marine battery but it is not deep cycle so it probably wont last too long if you using for a electric motor.

Here is the site with some info.
http://www.cyb.com.au/automotive/pro...marine_pro.htm

Stevo

[kevinnugent59]

Originally posted by Stevo
That battery is a high cranking Marine battery but it is not deep cycle so it probably wont last too long if you using for a electric motor.

Thanks Steve (and Bass). I've decided to ditch it for a 130aH deep cycle, but the budget this week won't stretch to a new boat, Christmas *and* a new battery. The New Year will see me visiting Apex Chandlery though.

Kevin