Electrifying a Prowler Trident 13

[DOGFISH]

69lbs.

[mytmouse]

Dogfish what model trolling motor did you go with? I'm still spec'ing some options... Its nice to have the BG and not have to worry about maxing capacity!

[DOGFISH]

On the side mount I was using a 30lb Endura by MinnKota. The BassYak is a 55lb thrust Endura. Quite frankly I only got a little extra speed from the 55. The reason being the prop. The 55 does keep the kayak moving along more steady.

[tufnik]

My Trident's rated weight capacity is 450 pounds. So, I don't really have to worry about weight even if I use two batteries. Is your Prowler 13 or 15', mytymouse? I think the 15 footer capacity is about 475. Even if you're 250#, I think you're still well under the capacity with the group 31. With two group 24 batts, I'm guessing you're under by about 50#.

The AGMs are vibration-resistant, more efficient, etc. I'm not seeing a great advantage over a lead-acid (LA). Cabelas AGM and my Kirtland LA have about the same weight and capacity. The LA shouldn't be discharged to lower than about 30%. Can you really discharge the AGM lower?

[MetroMan]

tufnik,

I don't know enough about batteries to really run down the pros in favor of one versus the other in great detail. But I do recall finding numerous articles online that talk in detail as to why AGMs are better than regular flooded batteries.

Now in my realm of ACTUAL use, I have NOT seen a difference. They are both heavy, and they both provide power well enough for hours of use. I remember some articles talking about the efficiency of recharging and stuff like that, but that stuff is kinda moot to me. When I'm done, I put my battery on the charger and it stays there til the next trip.

I also recall reading that AGMs CAN be regularly discharged deeper than their standard counterparts with no ill effects.

If I were to flip my yak somehow, if I'm using the AGM, I dont have to worry about acid leaking.


Mytmouse has the Big Game, which has a capacity of 600lbs

[mytmouse]

Mytmouse has the Big Game, which has a capacity of 600lbs

And I need every lb of it!!! lol!

[DOGFISH]

The AGM batteries will take more discharge and charge cycles and hold a larger charge over a longer period of time. The typical lead acid battery will start to loose charging capacity quicker. They weigh just about the same. I used lead acid batteries in my early electric kayak rigs. One must remember it is not good to take any battery too deep into its cycle. That is why I went to two batteries. You should also keep a maintainer type charger on your batteries to keep them alive. With the cost of batteries it is well worth the money for a decent charger and/or maintainer. Over the winter I keep trickle chargers on the batteries. I am more impressed at the life cycle of the small battery that I use for my FF. That thing is over 4 years old and still going strong.

Don't worry MYT, I need all of that 600lb capacity myself.

[ronaultmtd]

I might one day motorize my yak, but I don't like the weight and having to carry so much stuff issues- if I go that route, I would probably will go back to a conventional center console bay boat of the 17-18 foot variety that gives me the speed and sea worthiness to run miles at a time so that I could chase the fish. With the high fuel efficiency of the four cycle newer outboards the fuel usage is a lot lower today than a few years ago and no mixing of the oil- that is the ultimate dark side of power-