Jackson Cuda Troling Motor Rigging Part 1

[Buzzy.i.am]

Just thought I would share the progress of my trolling Motor setup up on my Jackson Cuda.

[archeryrob]

Looks nice!

[john from md]

Looks pretty good. I just put a side mounted Endura Max 40 on my OK Trident. I didn't go with the Bassyak style because I have a rudder and I still paddle. With the motor up, the rudder makes me work less especially when the wind starts blowing.

What size battery did you decide to go with? I got a 50AH since it only weighs 30#. The most my back will take is five hours on the water so this works fine for me.

Regards,

John

[Buzzy.i.am]

I am actually researching batteries as I write this, what brand do you have? I am looking for a sealed battery because my trailer bounces around a lot and I may have to lay it sideways in the yak....

[john from md]

I did a year's worth of research and never did get positive conformation that one battery is built better than any other. I decided to go with a UPG 50AH AGM battery. UPG is to AGM batteries like Johnson Controls is for flooded batteries, they make batteries for many different names. They are more expensive than a flooded battery but I don't think a flooded battery would be safe in a yak.

http://upgi.com/products/batterysearch.aspx I got the UB12500 which was $99 delivered.

I was going to go with a company called VMAXTANKS which are more expensive ($140). They get good reviews from kids who have super amplifiers in their cars. I decided to try the UPG to see how well it works with the Endura Max as the phase width modulator (PWM) circuit is supposed to give you up to 5 times the battery charge time. From what I can tell, my middle ground amp draw will be @ 11 - 14 so I can get about 2.5 hours down to 50% charge without even factoring in the PWM.
VMAX claims they use better lead and get better use times and battery life. They have a calculator on their site http://www.vmaxchargetank.com.

Anyway, if the winter ever goes away, I will be able to find out how well my calculations work out.

John

[Buzzy.i.am]

So, I have been looking at the UPG UB12500 and the UB12750. I have been using the UB batteries in my homemade quadracycle for years. Picture attached. I think they are good batteries, was comparing them to the optima blue tops and they have better reserved capacity and amp hours for the price. My UB's in the quadracycle are 4 years old, still running strong and hold a charge....ps, run a 48 volt electric wheel, passenger rear ...

image.jpg

[john from md]

Hey, that thing is cool but I think you sent the pic of the people powered version. Is that made of PVC?

The 75AH should give you plenty of time on the water. At 50 pounds, it was a little too heavy as I am putting it behind me. The Trident doesn't have any good support for a heavy battery in the front hatch and I sure didn't want one sliding around while I was on the water.

John

[Buzzy.i.am]

Yes PVC made. You can see lots of customizations at americanspeedster.com

[Buzzy.i.am]

So, I found out the only battery that will fit in my hull is a group 22nf, similar to the UB 12500. After much, much research, I'm going with the Cabela 22nf, sealed AGM at 90 AH! Cabelas has them on sale for $50 off, free shipping, but has an $8 heavy fee, no taxes. $128 delivered. I called one of the local battery wholesalers, they had a Deka brand 22nf for $160 plus tax...50AH. Guess I will see how this Cabela works.

[john from md]

I think you meant to say 90 minutes reserve capacity. The batteries that Cabela's sells are hybrids meaning that they are not a true deep cycle battery. The plates are not as thick so that you can use them as a starting battery for your outboard as well as a power supply for a trolling motor. Group 22 batteries are normally 40 to 55 amp hours. Since Cabela's lists the weight at 38.6 #, I would be willing to bet that it is a 55AH battery. Incidentally, what size Minn Kota are you using?

Regards,

John

[Buzzy.i.am]

Yes, you are correct, it's reserve. 30 lbs

[john from md]

I have been told that a 30 without MAX will draw 11 amps in the number 3 position after the initial start up which is about 28 amps. If you worry about battery life, try to stay above 50% drain which should give you about 2.5 hours. If you don't care about getting 600 charges (which is probably hype anyway), you can get about 5 hours. Since you have a stouter yak than mine, you can always buy another 50AH battery and use it longer.

When you get some time on the battery, please post and let us know how it worked out for you. I will do the same with my UB12500. You probably already know this but deep cycle batteries need a couple of cycles before they give full capacity.

Regards,

John

[Buzzy.i.am]

I think the 600 cycles is hype as well. I'll post my results as well. I read a lot about batteries the last few weeks. I'm tired. I read these are meant to be drained down completely, I also read you should not go below 50%, I read, I read, I read....I'm just going use the hell out of it, take care of it, and see how it does. I have decided however not to drill my yak for the wiring plug just yet. I will run controls wires on top of the deck, put the battery in the hull and run the power wires down the hatch. If this battery doesn't work out, I will move up to a group 24 or 27 and place it behind the seat in a battery box. I really don't want to do that because I like the cargo space, plus the battery in the hull I wont loose if I roll.....

[john from md]

I have decided however not to drill my yak for the wiring plug just yet. I will run controls wires on top of the deck, put the battery in the hull and run the power wires down the hatch. If this battery doesn't work out, I will move up to a group 24 or 27 and place it behind the seat in a battery box.

Sounds like a plan. Now if this infernal winter will be on its way!

John

[Buzzy.i.am]

So I found this cat who has done some actual measurements, and has a downloadable spreadsheet to customize for your battery spec.. Of course, there are so many variables. But check it out, then check out his home page for his fishing rig.
I am going to use this as a guide and record how well i do. I have an app the will track waypoints and distance.

http://http://tufox.com/hobie/TrollingPerformance.html