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  1. #1
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    Everyone's favorite, another battery question

    Still running the stock pro guides, boat was new in May 2020. Standard dual pro charger 6x3. My graph at the helm shows me the battery had 13.3 and 13.6 volts on full charge, but after 6 hours fishing, almost no running, my cranking battery was dead. It used to last for 10 hours no problem. The trolling batteries still seem good. Thinking about an optima blue top 31. This is for cranking, 2 helix 9's, and a mega 360. Any advice or feedback is appreciated.
    2020 White Vexus AVX 1880 Evinrude G2
    Ultrex 80 MDI iPilot
    Helix 9 G3N MSI
    Helix 9 G3N MDI w/ MEGA 360

  2. Member ifishinxs's Avatar
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    #2
    Vexus sets the 1880 with a 27 series for cranking and 2 31 series for the TM. The 27 series should be a 31 series with todays electronics packages. You can do way better than the Optima in that price range.
    I will be going with Lithium battery's when my wet cells die.
    2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175 (3B414035) Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger,

  3. Member
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    #3
    My cranking battery died right at the year mark. Currently I have an Interstate battery that's holding up fine. My TM batteries are still going strong. Once my TM batteries, quit, I will be transitioning to lithiums, and when the cranking battery quits again, I will move up to a bigger series.
    2019 Vexus 1880 w/ Mercury Pro-XS 115 4-stroke, MK 80lb Fortex, Twin Helix 7 Birds, Pro II PowerPole. AEguideservice.com

  4. Member
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    #4
    31 for cranking and 27 for TM should be plenty?
    2022 z519 cup 225 merc 4s ser # 3B210484. 2--hds12 live units. 2 poles, atlas plate, ghost, hamby's, active target, merc digital gauges
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  5. Member
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    #5
    I use Optima's for cranking, trolling and graphs, have for 20+ years, never replaced one except for when trading/buying new boat.

  6. Member
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    #6
    Quote Originally Posted by ifishinxs View Post
    Vexus sets the 1880 with a 27 series for cranking and 2 31 series for the TM. The 27 series should be a 31 series with todays electronics packages. You can do way better than the Optima in that price range.
    I will be going with Lithium battery's when my wet cells die.
    Mine came with a 31. None the less, it died in two months. Replaced with an AGM 31. All good.
    2020 VEXUS 1880 Victor Red
    Merc 115 HP Pro XS
    Minn Kota Ultrex 80 I-Link MDI
    Helix 10 MEGA+ MSI
    Helix 9 x 2 MEGA+ MDI
    Live Image FFS
    2021 Aluminum Trailer
    10' Talons w/sandwich brackets

  7. Member ifishinxs's Avatar
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    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by KennyVexus View Post
    Mine came with a 31. None the less, it died in two months. Replaced with an AGM 31. All good.
    I just had to put water in all my battery’s. I had AGM’s in my last boat just because its a PITA checking and adding water.
    2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175 (3B414035) Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger,

  8. Member
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    #8
    What is a better gel battery than Optima's for the same price range? I have used Optima Batteries, both cranking and trollers, since Delco Voyager's were discontinued. Of course I worked for Johnson Controls and got 70% discount on them. That was a simple decision.

  9. Member
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    #9
    Just ordered a pro guide 31 agm to replace my 27 sla, it has died a couple times in less that 4 hours. Only running 2 helix 9's and a 360 and the big motor. Not excited about the weight gain but I've had to make 2 trolling motor trips in excess of 2 miles because the cranking battery has died.
    2020 White Vexus AVX 1880 Evinrude G2
    Ultrex 80 MDI iPilot
    Helix 9 G3N MSI
    Helix 9 G3N MDI w/ MEGA 360

  10. Moderator
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    #10
    Just finished running 10 gauge wire for each of my brids. Running 2 9S anda 12 with 360. The problem comes in for me. When live well and lights are used. Time will tell if this helps. Cranking battery is a group 31 now.
    Vince Dart- Jim Thorpe PA

  11. Member
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    #11
    Vexus should have put in a bigger and better cranking battery for the 1880. My original battery a ProGuide died in less than a year. It was replaced with another battery (Interstate) , and so far its been ok. Next time around I will put in a bigger series of battery.
    2019 Vexus 1880 w/ Mercury Pro-XS 115 4-stroke, MK 80lb Fortex, Twin Helix 7 Birds, Pro II PowerPole. AEguideservice.com

  12. Member ifishinxs's Avatar
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    #12
    Quote Originally Posted by dartman View Post
    Just finished running 10 gauge wire for each of my brids. Running 2 9S anda 12 with 360. The problem comes in for me. When live well and lights are used. Time will tell if this helps. Cranking battery is a group 31 now.
    Interesting. My 1880 uses 8 gauge to the console buss. Then 10 gauge to a buss under the console for electronics. 10 gauge then runs up to a buss bar at the bow. Best wiring I have seen in a stock boat.
    2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175 (3B414035) Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger,

  13. Moderator
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    #13
    Quote Originally Posted by ifishinxs View Post
    Interesting. My 1880 uses 8 gauge to the console buss. Then 10 gauge to a buss under the console for electronics. 10 gauge then runs up to a buss bar at the bow. Best wiring I have seen in a stock boat.
    Yea but look at were the 8 gauge hooks up to battery. Everything thing in boat runs of that 8 wire. I 8ga to another battery shut off switch. The 10 gauge right to units. CLEAN power. The 360 runs off the bow bus bar for now.
    Vince Dart- Jim Thorpe PA

  14. Member ifishinxs's Avatar
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    #14
    Quote Originally Posted by dartman View Post
    Yea but look at were the 8 gauge hooks up to battery. Everything thing in boat runs of that 8 wire. I 8ga to another battery shut off switch. The 10 gauge right to units. CLEAN power. The 360 runs off the bow bus bar for now.
    The only time I have had issues has been been with under sized stock wiring. I used to install marine electronics so i’m typically a little OCD.
    Your milage may vary. I actually ran 10 gauge from the battery to my bow unit as a test with a volt meter. Like you I was dead set on running seperate wiring for my MFD’s. I found zero diffence in the stock wiring. Now once I add a second unit with live scope that may change. I install Garmins on a beta testers boat. We actually had to install a seperate battery for the MFD’s and live scope. The amp draw would smoke his 27 series starting battery in less than 8 hours.
    2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175 (3B414035) Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger,