And the hits keep coming

[piemma]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Just about lost my sanity yesterday....
Got gauge installed, boat loaded and fueled, then launched on 1300 high tide. Started right up on battery one, and headed out at 5 mph. Going through all systems, but no water to live well/washdown. Got my head down under to find both in and out hoses to pump disconnected. Quick fix after wrestling hoses back into position.
Ran out to troll up some macs, and notice the remaining Yamaha digital tach and trim gauge is not working, or showing jibberish... So now both gauges are junk??? What has changed, other than to replace the (other) fuel gauge? Still thinking on that...
So now on both batteries to run around for half hour. Switch to one as I drift macs along shore (tight) with a surge. Occasionally start up to pull away from the rocks. Running GPS and livewell. After a couple fish, I go to start up again, and no go. Check switch, and change to other battery. Not enough juice. Tide has started to turn, but I am tight.... Too tight to get an anchor to bite with any scope. I throw it as far as I can anyway and grab a needle plug, because it had the largest trebles I saw on first glance. After half a dozen casts I was lucky enough to "catch" a lobster buoy and gently pull my way 50 yards further out.
In the end, I got one of my nephews to pick up a battery pack from his club and he brought it out to me. (Had Seatow on the phone, and they were two hours out) Got it going by jumping battery one, AND squeezing the fuel ball, which was softer than I would like (another issue to look into and probably replace).
So it appears this will be my season of getting the gremlins out. The better half had already gone to PepBoys and replaced my Westmarine battery pack with Duralast 900 amp pack.

So, after I get my 4-5 year old batteries' cells tested, what batteries are people using these days.....

Ross, I'm running big truck batteries. Old fashioned lead ones. I think 4 or 5 years right now with no issues.

[beamie]

Ross,

I buy the 2 biggest Sears Diehard Deep cycle I can. I think I have 2 group 31's at present. they have been fine for my V8 350 inboard.

You did good getting 5 years on your batteries that is about right.

[nightfighter]

So two deep cycle as opposed to one deep cycle and one cranking?

[beamie]

Thats what I use. I know it may not be text book but the cranking amps of a big deep cycle does fine by my book. I run always in both go down to when if drifting with acces and baitwell on.

[nightfighter]

Thanks. This is the type if discussion I was looking for.