jessejames556

I have a motor guide about the same age...that upper shaft is metal, correct?

Well then I'll definitely replace the batteries..do you have any suggestions for the electronics and where I should run them from? I'm not sure how well/long a 50lb TM would run off of 12 volts if I were to stop running a 24v system. I'm ignorant to batteries unfortunately..thanks for the responses

Wow, then I definitely have a problem... And when I unplug and re plug in it definitely takes long than 10 minutes...Especially if it has been sitting for a week. Can you expand on why I shouldn't have my electronic(s) hooked up to my 24v system?

I have two Optima deep cycle marine batteries and a starting battery for my motor in my boat I recently purchased used. I've noticed the life of the Optima batteries hooked up to my trolling motor and fish finder may be on the tail end of their life. They last me all day when coming off of a fresh charge, but they do not appear to hold a charge. I'm not sure what is acceptable in terms of loss of charge over time in storage, but my batteries are usually completely dead one week sitting after being fully charged. I have an onboard battery charger for all the batteries, but due to storage needs I can't have it plugged in at all times. Last week I left the boat charger plugged in after I parked it. I returned one week later and noticed that the on board charger had a green light for fully charged, as it should be since I left it plugged in. Well I take the boat out and the all items running off the deep cycle batteries are dead..the trolling motor turns the prop maybe 1/32 of a turn and stops. The fish finder beeps when turned on but does not have enough juice to show anything on the screen. The motor battery is ok but of course that's a different type of battery. I know the batteries aren't great, but when left plugged in, they shouldn't be completely dead...So: 1. is it possible that the charger is able to conduct an immediate charge but fails to kick into maintenance mode as it should be doing? The light on the charger indicates the batteries are 100% after a week of sitting, but if I unplug it and plug it back in, it shows red again for charging/not fully charged. 2. Also, how long should I expect my deep cycle charge to last when sitting in storage unmaintained by charger?

New to me 16.5' 1995 Skeeter 1650 with a Mercury 75 hp. I've used some nice hull cleaner from bass pro shops to remove the scum line since these pictures and have a nice coat of wax on it now. Next I'll replace the batteries and on board charger. Gotta remember to slow down and enjoy it from time to time! When she tags along, my girlfriend will tan on the back while I fish off the front. We love it.