Help..Ultrex Draining Batteries,

[jaytd]

GM all.

Been on the water twice now with New 24v 80 Lb Ultrex with I-Pilot Link and both times getting 3- 4 hours before Ultrex stops working, seemingly no power ( indicators all dark), foot pedal not operational. So after the first trip I replaced a 3 yr old battery and figured it was the problem, but then agin yesterday 2nd trip it stopped agin. The second battery is only 5 months old and I don't suspect it is bad, but will take it back this week to Walmart and do a warranty exchange to eliminate that possibility. Both batteries seem to be taking charge fine, monitoring the level lights on the on board charger I don't see anything that makes me think there is a battery or charger issue. On the water yesterday , one tool I didn't use was the battery indicator on the Link Handheld, will put that to use the next time I'm on the water. As far as use goes, I did use Spot lock yesterday quite a bit, but it wasn't windy so it's not like it was running constantly, but the batteries did seem drained when I got home.

I fish tournaments so I have to get 8 hrs out of my TM. Has anyone seen a similar issue, is there anything with the Ultrex that could or would cause fast battery discharge? What is the best way to isolate or troubleshoot what is going on?

Thanks, any help experience appreciated.
J

[Jonestrollingmotor]

First, we need to know what batteries you have.,

[jaytd]

Thank you for the quick reply

Wallmart Everstart MAXX Premium. 29DC. The Ultrex was self installed, but from a wiring perspective I used the original Stratus manufacturing wiring from the old TM which was a Maxxum 65lb.. all I did for the new Ultrex was remove the Plug ( Male) from the Maxxum and put it on the wires wires that came with the Ultrex. Boat is Stratus 285, 18.5 ft so not too heavy for 80 Lb Ultrex.

As always, Thanks for the help
J

[blkfalc4]

Ultrex 24v 45" 80lb link here
2 everstart 29dc batts, I get over 12hrs and it still is going when I get off the water.

[jaytd]

Thanks blkfalc4.. I've run the MAXX 29C's for years and never had problems. Do you have I-Pilot Link on your Ultrex? I can't imagine that could add much draw, but at this point I have to consider anything that could be cause.

J

[Bstandiford]

I use 2 group 31 AGM battery’s for my Ultrex 80 link and have fished tournaments all day using spot lock in 20 mph winds with no issues. Probably fished 75 days on my new Ultrex last year. I did start with 2 new batteries purchased at the same time.

[mak747]

First things I would do is;
1) Check all of the trolling motor wiring connections to make sure they are tight and corrosion free.

2) Pull prop and ensure the is nothing wrapped on the prop shaft impeding it from rotating.

3)Take some voltage measurements at the battery and trolling motor both before and after a day of fishing. Test the voltage at the trolling motor with it deployed and running on continuous at full power to see what the readings are.

4) Check the gauge of wiring being used to make sure it is of a sufficient size.

Though unless its bad I wouldn't expect it to be contributing to your battery drain issue, I would check the circuit break size as it is probably not the 60amp recommended size for the 80lb. thrust trolling motor.

[jaytd]

Thanks all that have replied on this thread. I removed the plate on bow that has the Female side of the TM plug, cleaned the terminals and verified I have 24V at the front. I plugged the TM back in, hit the switch and nothing. With the switch on, I wiggled the plug and got lights. So it appears either the plug is going bad or when I wired the Male side of the plug to the Ultrex I didn't get everything back together good and tight. The symptom I saw both times doesn't really match a bad plug, both trips I unplugged and plugged several time and it didn't fix it, but clearly tonight in the garage a little movement on the plug made it go out. If I wanted to eliminate the plug all together, does anyone make a connector block or switch I could use to connect the wires at the bow?

[eliteangler]

Thanks all that have replied on this thread. I removed the plate on bow that has the Female side of the TM plug, cleaned the terminals and verified I have 24V at the front. I plugged the TM back in, hit the switch and nothing. With the switch on, I wiggled the plug and got lights. So it appears either the plug is going bad or when I wired the Male side of the plug to the Ultrex I didn't get everything back together good and tight. The symptom I saw both times doesn't really match a bad plug, both trips I unplugged and plugged several time and it didn't fix it, but clearly tonight in the garage a little movement on the plug made it go out. If I wanted to eliminate the plug all together, does anyone make a connector block or switch I could use to connect the wires at the bow?

Battery Tender is the one I bought. It is a great plug. https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende...ing+motor+plug

[Jonestrollingmotor]

Thanks all that have replied on this thread. I removed the plate on bow that has the Female side of the TM plug, cleaned the terminals and verified I have 24V at the front. I plugged the TM back in, hit the switch and nothing. With the switch on, I wiggled the plug and got lights. So it appears either the plug is going bad or when I wired the Male side of the plug to the Ultrex I didn't get everything back together good and tight. The symptom I saw both times doesn't really match a bad plug, both trips I unplugged and plugged several time and it didn't fix it, but clearly tonight in the garage a little movement on the plug made it go out. If I wanted to eliminate the plug all together, does anyone make a connector block or switch I could use to connect the wires at the bow?

If you have the Marinco style plug that allows the trolling motor wires to screw to the back of the receptical, you can drill a small hole, apx 1/2", in the panel beside the plug, run the Ultrex wires through the panel and put ring terminals on the Ultrex wire. Then you would simply use the plug as a terminal block, attaching the positive trolling motor wire to the same terminal "stacking" the two wires and holding down with the receptical screw. Do the same for the ground. Cover the hole with a cover of some type -- I use a stainless clam shell.
John

[jaytd]

Thanks everyone for the response and ideas with this. I'm going to rewire the plug one last time, if I still have problems I'll eliminate one way or another.

Can I ask where you get the stainless Clamshell cover you use?

Thanks again,
J

[mak747]

The Battery Tender plug/receptacle which eliteangler recommended is probably the best option Ive seen for a trolling motor connector and is what I would've gone with if I hadn't already installed the Marinco one. With that being said, I am happy with the build quality and performance of the Marinco 70 amp plug/receptacle.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

[H-D Dad]

If you hardwire the motor, don't forget to add a cut off switch. I believe it is recommended to disconnect power before charging the batteries.

[bwank1124]

GM all.

Been on the water twice now with New 24v 80 Lb Ultrex with I-Pilot Link and both times getting 3- 4 hours before Ultrex stops working, seemingly no power ( indicators all dark), foot pedal not operational. So after the first trip I replaced a 3 yr old battery and figured it was the problem, but then agin yesterday 2nd trip it stopped agin. The second battery is only 5 months old and I don't suspect it is bad, but will take it back this week to Walmart and do a warranty exchange to eliminate that possibility.
J

So you were using a 3 year old battery with a 5 month old battery? Usually you want the batteries to be from the same time. Last year I ran my ultrex 112 on a two 7 year old blue top optimas and a a 3 year old exide and didn't have a problem running all day, they were all group 27. This year replaced all 3 with group 31dc duracell's from Sam's club.

[bwank1124]

If you hardwire the motor, don't forget to add a cut off switch. I believe it is recommended to disconnect power before charging the batteries.

What is everyone running for a cut off switch if you direct wire your trolling motor?

[suvowner]

GM all.

Been on the water twice now with New 24v 80 Lb Ultrex with I-Pilot Link and both times getting 3- 4 hours before Ultrex stops working, seemingly no power ( indicators all dark), foot pedal not operational. So after the first trip I replaced a 3 yr old battery and figured it was the problem, but then agin yesterday 2nd trip it stopped agin. The second battery is only 5 months old and I don't suspect it is bad, but will take it back this week to Walmart and do a warranty exchange to eliminate that possibility. Both batteries seem to be taking charge fine, monitoring the level lights on the on board charger I don't see anything that makes me think there is a battery or charger issue. On the water yesterday , one tool I didn't use was the battery indicator on the Link Handheld, will put that to use the next time I'm on the water. As far as use goes, I did use Spot lock yesterday quite a bit, but it wasn't windy so it's not like it was running constantly, but the batteries did seem drained when I got home.

I fish tournaments so I have to get 8 hrs out of my TM. Has anyone seen a similar issue, is there anything with the Ultrex that could or would cause fast battery discharge? What is the best way to isolate or troubleshoot what is going on?

Thanks, any help experience appreciated.
J

24v is not good on a fully charged set of batteries, you should be getting 25.2- 25.6 , what is voltage of each individual battery, then combined voltage , then compare that to voltage measured at plug.....sounds like one of your batteries is going out or sulfated bad....

[jtracc]

What is everyone running for a cut off switch if you direct wire your trolling motor?

ranger installed one in the battery compartment. Off/run/jump start. When off everything is disconnected including the ignition and motor trim. As well as any graphs hooked up to main connection and the TM.

[wmitch2]

Thanks everyone for the response and ideas with this. I'm going to rewire the plug one last time, if I still have problems I'll eliminate one way or another.

Can I ask where you get the stainless Clamshell cover you use?

Thanks again,
J

Bass Pro has them

[SoonerFan]

I was jammed up for space so I removed the Marineco plug and installed a Minn Kota trolling motor plug. Sort of a pain to put together but if assembled correctly makes a good secure connection that can be unplugged if necessary.



https://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Outdo.../dp/B001PTHKSA

[ZXD]

My 36 volt ultrex draws way less juice then my old motorguide, i can fish 10 hours and still have plenty of power. Recharges in no time. The problem may be with your ultrex. I use the same batteries ad you. I know this is a old post , I assume you figured it out 😂