I just got a new Minn Kota Endura 30# transom trolling motor for my canoe.  I am about to purchase a battery and charger.  I already went to Wally World and they have a battery and charger that should run me $70.  

Before I do purchase, I wanted to see if the forum members had any recommendations for a battery and charger.  Since I joined this forum, I usually see someone post a couple of days after a big purchase with a better idea.  So, I am outright asking this time before I purchase it.  

Any of the Wal Mart deep cycle batteries will be fine.  I use two of their Group 27 MAXX deep cycles.

As for a charger, I would recommend a 'smart' charger.  I use a Schumacher Speedcharge.  I think I paid around $65 for it.  Ideally you want something that has a float setting.  It will lengthen the life of your battery.

This is the charger I use:

http://store.schumachermart.com/sc-1200a.html

It has settings for regular, deep cycle, and AGM batteries.  It will also go into float mode once the battery is charged.  When charging my deep cycle batteries, I use the 8 amp setting.

I'm assuming you are not trailering the canoe.

Using a flooded cell (has caps, add water) battery will leak if tipped and destroy anything it touches.

It is amazing what battery acid will do.

A canoe is not the most stable platform so the possiblity of it spilling some acid is high.

two things I URGE you to do.

1.  Get spring creek stabilizers (see cabellas)

2.  Get an AGM battery.  cost = more money   safety = priceless

If you are talking about the "wally world" battery charger about that price with the LED voltage read-out I've found it to be an excellent charger.  It has modern computer control for multi stage charging, a digital read-out that gives you constant feed back on the charge state and can be left on permanently with no gassing problems.

The low end battery charger at Wall World is a 2/4/8 amp charger.  I was wondering what do you guys charge your battery at?   Should I look at getting at least a 10 amp charger.

Avid,

I will be getting the stabilizers based on your previous recommendation.  Thanks for the heads up on the AGM battery.  I was wondering if it was necessary and noticed that the EverStart battery is not AGM.  With both the stabilizers and AGM, I would rather be safe than sorry.

8 amps should be plenty of power for your charger. I run the biggest Everstart Max Marines in my jon boat with a charger that is 5 amps per bank.

It seems like anythign over 4 amps is enough to fully charge a battery over night.

adam