LOOKING AFTER YOUR POWER
Dealing with battery issues on your boat is never a pleasant experience, especially since it often presents itself at the most inopportune time. It does not have to be that way. Simple battery maintenance and using a quality charger goes a long way in ensuring optimal performance and extending battery life.
BATTERY OPTIONS
Marine batteries, including Starting, Deep Cycle and Dual-Purpose, each has their intended application. Starting batteries provide powerful energy for a short period of time, but are commonly stacked with various electronics and accessories, going against its intended purpose.
Deep Cycle batteries are better suited for this continual power discharge. Offloading certain electronics accessories from the Starting battery to a designated Deep Cycle, serves a definite benefit.
Dual-Purpose batteries split the difference. Although not ideal or as efficient in either function, they are a viable option.
GO ON BOARD!
Often overlooked, a quality on-board charging system is the best way to ensure your batteries are performing to their fullest potential, while also helping maximize their longevity.
The convenience is as simple a plugging in at the end of the day – No need to connect terminals or remove batteries from your boat.
Minn Kota has long had a reputation of offering the highest quality on-board Automatic Multi-Stage chargers on the market. Their PC – Precision Digital Chargers for example, feature selectable battery types for each charging bank, optimizing the charging curve and maintenance mode for that battery type.
For Flooded Lead Acid batteries, Battery Equalization mode cleans and protects the battery for improved performance and longer battery life.
VARIETY TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS
From five to 15 amps and one to four dedicated charging banks, you can choose from a variety of on-board chargers and configurations that best suit your needs and number of batteries in your boat. Tournament anglers, for example, might opt for higher amps, for a quicker charge time.
WHAT ABOUT STARTING BATTERIES?
In today’s world many anglers use multiple large screen Sonar units. Far too often people encounter low voltage issues with their Sonar electronics or even worse, having their units shut down when turning the ignition key. This can wreak havoc on your expensive electronics.
“Do this too many times and you run the risk of blowing the main board in your Sonar unit, resulting in an expensive repair if out of warranty.”
A simple remedy is keeping your Starting battery topped up. People may respond in disbelief with “Why would I have to charge my Starting battery, when it’s charged from the outboard motor?”
Considering the demands of multiple larger screen Sonar units, stereo, live well pumps and aerator, bilge pump and various other accessories and residual power draws commonly stacked to a Starting battery, the battery is continually in a diminished state of charge. It is essentially taking on the role of a Deep Cycle battery.
With typically shorter travel on most bodies of water and using these accessories for long periods while the outboard may not be running, the battery will not often charge enough to offset the continual power draw.
HOW DO YOU TOP UP YOUR STARTING BATTERY
The solution is to keep your Starting battery topped up. This alone will resolve many battery issues often encountered on the water. It is recommended that you charge your batteries as soon as you’re able, after getting off the water. Do not leave them discharged for long periods of time. Doing so can have a negative effect on battery longevity.
Minn Kota’s line of on-board and portable chargers offer the convenience and performance to help maintain all the batteries in your boat, not just your trolling motor batteries. Each morning when you leave the dock, you’ll have piece of mind that your batteries are ready for a full day on the water.