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  1. #1
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    Unequal battery drain from 36 volt trolling motor

    I have one battery that is far less drained than the other two. Reason I know is when I go to plug them in the one battery turns green from the charger in like 15 min or less.

  2. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #2
    First thing to check would be electrolyte levels in the cells assuming these are flooded cell batteries.

    Next, verify that you actually are running on 36V by measuring the voltage at the TM in front of the boat to eliminate a wiring issue. You should see about 38V or more if the charger has been on recently.

    Next, after charging, unplug the charger and measure each battery on its terminals after letting them sit at least 6 or 8 hours. You want almost exactly the same voltage.

    Finally, repeat the battery measurements about halfway through the day fishing and at the end of the day.

    My guesses are a bad battery or miswiring, but just guessing.
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    #3
    Thanks. For info. I know water levels are good. So I’ll keep checking.

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    #4
    A bad battery will often charge up quickly,I would focus on the the one that does that.

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    #5
    Have you done a lead swap to verify that the problem follows the battery, and not the charger??
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    #6
    If you verify that your are running 36V to the trolling motor, then my guess would be the battery that charges quickly has lost it's capacity to hold a charge.
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  7. Member
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    #7
    Tks.
    One of my batteries is on the other side of my boat. There not next to each does that make things goofy

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    #8
    Not as long as they are properly jumper ed.
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  9. Member
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    #9
    So went two take out the battery I thought was bad. And found that my breaker was extremely loose. The lead wire that is. Would that be causing my problem. ????

  10. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #10
    Quote Originally Posted by 44k1500fom View Post
    So went two take out the battery I thought was bad. And found that my breaker was extremely loose. The lead wire that is. Would that be causing my problem. ????
    Wouldn’t be likely. All the current form each battery flows through the same wire and breaker.
    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity,
    nothing else matters.​