Can I use a 12v auto battery to run my trolling motor?
06-10-2006, 12:33 PM
#2
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 25,116
RE: Can I use a 12v auto battery to run my trolling motor?
False,
You can use an auto battery but it is not wise.
1. It will run the charge down quicker than a deep cell battery.
2. Then...how will you start your automobile.
I've done it before back in my poverty stricken college days.
You can use an auto battery but it is not wise.
1. It will run the charge down quicker than a deep cell battery.
2. Then...how will you start your automobile.
I've done it before back in my poverty stricken college days.
06-10-2006, 01:50 PM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location:
Posts: 2,052
RE: Can I use a 12v auto battery to run my trolling motor?
As far as the trolling motor is concerned, it doesn't know what kind of battery it is hooked up to. But the problem is that you will prematurely kill your battery by using a normal auto "cranking battery" for prolonged periods of draw down and the recharges. They (auto batteries) are not built for such cycles, they are designed to provide starting and running power for the car and accessories but it is depenedant upon the autos charging system (alternator) to keep the battery full or "hot" all the time.
Trolling motor batteries have a different build that allows them to be drawn down and recharged many times. "Dual action" batteries are a combination of the two, they can be both drawn down and recharged OR they can provide big bursts of power for cranking marine engines. But again the types of batteries used in automobiles feature none of those capabilities.
If all you are going to do is run the troller for 1 or 2 days then yeah you can use it. BUT it will damage the overall life of the battery. PLUS like Chuck said, how are you going to recharge the battery? And another (and MUCH more expensive thing to think about) recharging a low/dead battery with your cars alternator is very tough on that system and will potentially kill your alternator which would cost you MUCH more than simply buying a trolling battery for your boat.
Good luck,
RA
Trolling motor batteries have a different build that allows them to be drawn down and recharged many times. "Dual action" batteries are a combination of the two, they can be both drawn down and recharged OR they can provide big bursts of power for cranking marine engines. But again the types of batteries used in automobiles feature none of those capabilities.
If all you are going to do is run the troller for 1 or 2 days then yeah you can use it. BUT it will damage the overall life of the battery. PLUS like Chuck said, how are you going to recharge the battery? And another (and MUCH more expensive thing to think about) recharging a low/dead battery with your cars alternator is very tough on that system and will potentially kill your alternator which would cost you MUCH more than simply buying a trolling battery for your boat.
Good luck,
RA
06-12-2006, 03:13 AM
#5
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 25,116
RE: Can I use a 12v auto battery to run my trolling motor?
Yeah...I had one of those great big yellow ones that was warranted for 18 months. I didn't have a kicker at the time so I wore that baby out much faster than it should of. Now that I got a motor I only run my trolling motor on slower speeds so I suspect my new one will last me longer. By the way..Walmart gave me a new battery .No receipt necessary. I love that place.
PS I love my kicker. I've gone fishing 3 times and still got plenty of gas left. She does pretty good. However; those darn boat motors are expensive.
PS I love my kicker. I've gone fishing 3 times and still got plenty of gas left. She does pretty good. However; those darn boat motors are expensive.
06-12-2006, 07:08 AM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Posts: 3,215
RE: Can I use a 12v auto battery to run my trolling motor?
PS I love my kicker. I've gone fishing 3 times and still got plenty of gas left. She does pretty good. However; those darn boat motors are expensive.
I burned out 30 gallons yesterday morning in baout 6 hours
But its pretty fun going 55 mph to your spots.
06-16-2006, 09:09 PM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location:
Posts: 160
RE: Can I use a 12v auto battery to run my trolling motor?
ORIGINAL: Chuck7
False,
You can use an auto battery but it is not wise.
1. It will run the charge down quicker than a deep cell battery.
2. Then...how will you start your automobile.
I've done it before back in my poverty stricken college days.
False,
You can use an auto battery but it is not wise.
1. It will run the charge down quicker than a deep cell battery.
2. Then...how will you start your automobile.
I've done it before back in my poverty stricken college days.
06-17-2006, 04:29 AM
#8
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 25,116
RE: Can I use a 12v auto battery to run my trolling motor?
A few Years ago my battery died on the other side of the lake..Paddled to shore walked all around to my truck took out my battery walked all the way back to the boat and trolled her on home and still had juice to start the truck...Also on a side note..It is allways nice to have extra propellers and shear pins and locknuts...Rowing sucks...Found this out after I bought my first row boat that I didn't really want to row..And the prop hit a rock and I wasn't moveing..Here what happened I broke the shear pin andthe prop was tight against the lock nut and I spun the propeller off..No extra pins or lock nuts..Got the prop back but what good was it without the nut or shear pin to hold it on???No oars to boot... Allways have them with me now....Memories.... Daniel
Yeah..I remember those days. During college we were poor as a church mouse. A few times I did the same thing. Trolled with my truck battery and then start up the truck..until one day..click click click click click...CRAP!![:@][&:]Dead battery..then I either rowed or broke down and bought a battery.
Yeah..I remember those days. During college we were poor as a church mouse. A few times I did the same thing. Trolled with my truck battery and then start up the truck..until one day..click click click click click...CRAP!![:@][&:]
Dead battery..then I either rowed or broke down and bought a battery.
06-17-2006, 05:11 PM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Wadena, MN
Posts: 4,701
RE: Can I use a 12v auto battery to run my trolling motor?
On the other side of the coin. You can charge a regular battery in minutes not 24 hrs. I run a 4D battery out of one of our dozers. Lasts longer than a deep cycle and I can charge it full in 20 minutes.
06-17-2006, 08:31 PM
#10
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location:
Posts: 160
RE: Can I use a 12v auto battery to run my trolling motor?
ORIGINAL: TeeJay
On the other side of the coin. You can charge a regular battery in minutes not 24 hrs. I run a 4D battery out of one of our dozers. Lasts longer than a deep cycle and I can charge it full in 20 minutes.
On the other side of the coin. You can charge a regular battery in minutes not 24 hrs. I run a 4D battery out of one of our dozers. Lasts longer than a deep cycle and I can charge it full in 20 minutes.