Battery Going Dead

[Bugs]

2006 Stratos 201ProXL
Rude 225HO
Interstate 800CCA Battery Installed April 2007

PROBLEM: Past 2 tournaments when we put the boat in the water at 6:30am, the cranking battery has gone dead by 1:00pm. We launch and I turn on the Lowrance 332C for the day, as always. Get to first spot and the trolling motor goes in the water and the front Lowrance goes on, for the day, as always. Catch first fish and we fill the livewells and then leave the aerator on timed, for the day, as always. Yesterday around 1:00pm both Lowrance's just shut off and when I turned the key on, the voltage gage showed only 10 volts, the lowest number on the gage. Both Lowrances would not turn on and big motor would not start. Wouldn't even click. Crazy part is that all pumps still worked and the power tilt worked!? Used jumper cables and started it. Got home and plugged boat in as usual. Today battery showed fully charged. Took battery out today and auto parts store put it on two different load testing machines and battery tested good. All battery connections had been checked after the first incident and they were all tight. (And yes, they are installed with nyloc nuts!) Cleaned all terminals again today and re-installed battery. Plugged in and is fully charged.

LITTLE MORE INFO: In June we were on Lake Champlain and got stuck in some torrential downpours a couple of days. Do not know if something is shorting out. No blowing of fuses and anything electric works in the morning when we start out. We do everytning the same as my last three Stratos and everything has always worked all day.

Anybody have any ideas as to what to look for?

I know this is long but I'm getting frustrated and am not feeling too secure about going out in the boat and getting stranded.

Thanx in advance for any help!

[Bassmeister]

I think you have a problem somewhere, but I can't put a finger on it. I do know since I got my 03 DI they like CCA's so I have been keeping Batterys with 1190 CCA's and 1000CA's and I seem to have less problems. JMHO

[ChampioNman]

Get a specific gravity tester for your battery and test it with that. Also take a good working multi meter and test the voltage with that first with the motor off and then with the motor running, The amp draw shouldn't be much with only those 4 things running. Only other thing I can think of would be to put the GPS antenna on a separate switched power if it is a LGC-3000 external antenna. You don't need to keep it powered up constantly.

[ARK Ranger]

If you do not have a separate switch to shut off the power to the 332C the GPS in it will drain power. If it sets long time (3 to 4 weeks) it can run down and ruin battery.

[Bugs]

If I were to turn the antenna off wouldn't that make my GPS useless?


The boat stays plugged in to the MinnKota on-board charger from the time I get home until I leave for the water.

[ChampioNman]

We are talking about when it is sitting at home doing nothing. Like I said go to an auto parts store and get a specific gravity battery tester. Take a sample of each cell and see where the little balls stay.

[Bugs]

ChampioNman: Going to pick up a specific gravity battery tester tonight. Will stick it and post the results tomorrow.

[Bugs]

ChampioNman and anyone else: Picked up tester on the way home. Got home and unplugged the charger. Stuck each cell from plus to minus and below are the results.

(+) (-)

1.275 1.225 1.225 1.225 1.215 1.210

Looks like it does not have the sac it did 6 months ago!

Left the charger unplugged and will re-test tomorrow evening.

[Bassmeister]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bugs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ChampioNman and anyone else: Picked up tester on the way home. Got home and unplugged the charger. Stuck each cell from plus to minus and below are the results.

(+) (-)

1.275 1.225 1.225 1.225 1.215 1.210

Looks like it does not have the sac it did 6 months ago!

Left the charger unplugged and will re-test tomorrow evening.

</TD></TR></TABLE>
It's best to let it stabilize before testing.

[yukonjack2]

My Rangter has had the same issues lately, both on my 03 225 HO DI that has now been replaced by my 08 e-tec 225 HO. I know its not the battery ,as I have a new AGM no amintenance that charges to 13+ volts. within 3 hours of 2 graphs (LCX520, and my 15 MT), and the livewell on timer, and occasional bilge pump the battery rund down to 10 volts. Check all your compatrments for a light left on. I'm also going to check my pumps are not drowing too much mps with something jammed insode them. Post here if you find the problem.

[Bugs]

Exchanged the old battery for the next size up and the biggest one they had (group 27 I think). They gave me credit on the old one and I had to pay a little more for the new one and a bigger battery tie down tray.

Happy to report we pre-fished a Tx on Friday and did the Tx on Saturday and all was well. Even came in 3rd. Ran, both TV's, Gps, and livewells all day just look before. Everything was fine.

Thanx for all the help folks!

BBC is a great place!