battery issues

[Wesley Bowker]

I am looking for some input on a battery issue, i fished a tournament one friday night, and fished another tournament that following Sunday. Around 2:00 P.M. on sunday my low voltage alarm went off. The next tournament i fished after charging that battery seperatley, the battery went dead after 4 hours. The battery was purchased one month ago. I am running 2 HDS 7's with structure, 2 recirc pumps, 2 areator pumps, 2 oxygenators, on my cranking battery. I have a 1000 CCA Interstate and a 3 bank dual pro charger, with a 36 volt minn kota system. I have charged my cranking battery seperatley before fishing and its still not lasting through the day. I brought this up to the dealer before purchase and was told Mercury had a big enough alternator to keep the battery charged. (Thats not true) I have had several suggetions on how to fix this in several different price ranges. The three suggestions that i am considering is; upgrading to a group 31battery and a 4 bank dual pro charger; adding a 5th battery and an additional 2 bank charger; and finally wiring my structure scan box to an accessory switch to turn it off when im not using it..... I know this is a common problem if anyone could give me some input i would very much appreciate it.

 

[Mike Page]

I bassically had the same problem, battery going dead after 3-4 hrs, with the interstate, BPS replaced the battery and I also installed a new Optima 31 series, with a battery switch so if one would go dead all I have to do is turn the switch to the spare battery and I'm good. But since BPS replaced the batttery I have had no problems with it going dead, even up to 5 hrs. of fishing, Good Luck

 

[Rich Eder2]

Alot of guys are installing a switch for the structure scan like you said. No need for it to be on if your not using it.

 

[Wayne P.]

What you are requiring for your starting battery is deep cycle use, not just for starting the engine.

You need a battery that can handle constant discharge. A dual purpose or deep cycle battery that has the MCA your engine requires is the best solution other than the stand-by battery.

Yes, your Structure Scan box should have switched power.