Ok guys, not sure if this would work or not, but I hate to spend another $100 for a back up battery .

I have a 55lb thrust minn kota, and a 90 ah battery. It's about 3/4 drained after 5-6 hours. I want to be able to be out there for 8 hours or so without worrying.

Can I use my car battery as a second battery, or is that a terrible idea?

Any cheap batteries I can use for 2-3 hours?

What kind of boat do you have it on BJ, A good marine battery should last you all day easy. I'm talking one of those 105amp Wal-Mart batteries. I think they are

$59 and some change. But to answer your question, yes a car battery will work for a while but it can't take the charging and draining like a deep cycle can.

105ah for $60? I paid $110 for a 90ah. d**n I'm going to wal mart!!! I'd have no problem paying that for a 105ah battery. Jeezus.

It's on a 12ft aluminum boat.

Let's see.  The auto battery might last 30 minutes, might last an hour.  It won't last long with continued discharge/charge cycles.

If you need emergency power to get back to the ramp, then it is worth it.  Otherwise go to WalMart and get the MAXX Marine Group 29.  

Let's see.  The auto battery might last 30 minutes, might last an hour.  It won't last long with continued discharge/charge cycles.

If you need emergency power to get back to the ramp, then it is worth it.  Otherwise go to WalMart and get the MAXX Marine Group 29.  

Not sure if my walmart sells it. I'm going to run my battery all day tomorrow and see how much I can really push it. I lasted 7 hours last trip. I think at 7hour mark i'll fish fairly close to the boat dock just in case.

I'm going to check out walmart if it dies within 8 hours tomorrow.

Thanks again.

I use the diehards.  200 min res   $80  

Car batts drain very quickly and don't like to be drained and recharged.  Each time you use it, you are dramatically reducing it's life, unlike a deep cycle, each time you drain it and charge it, there is minimal battery damage

Back in my younger days when I couldn't afford new batteries while tournament fishing I was working at my ex-father-in-laws auto mechanic shop I had access to car batteries that we had changed out. These batteries in many cases had nothing wrong with them so I would take them to the lake, charge them, and use them in my boat for 3 or 4 hours a day. I simply carried 2 of them in the boat and keep 2 of the on them charger. Like LBH stated this does kill em but it wasn't costing me anything, so when one would die I simply took it back to the shop and swap it for another.

This actually led to my first big time sponsor Interstate Batteries; I received 2 batteries a year.

My 125 ah battery wasn't but $70something at Walmart.  Everstart marine max group 29.

I use the diehards.  200 min res   $80  

Did you check out with the sears guy at gunpoint for that kind of deal

Nope, that was the price.  I just looked back at the receipt drawer and I paid $173 for 2.  Dirk also bought 2

They are group 31's

Can I use my car battery as a second battery, or is that a terrible idea?

Been there, done that, walked to the gas station to call for help.

Nope, that was the price.  I just looked back at the receipt drawer and I paid $173 for 2.  Dirk also bought 2

They are group 31's

I know where my next batteries are coming from.  Do they fit in a standard battery box.  My group 29 barely fits

Wal-mart is the way to go.  Keep the receipt and in a little less than a year, take them back and tell them it doesn't hold a charge anymore and they give you a new one.  Yes, it fits in a 27 series box.

Wal-mart is the way to go. Keep the receipt and in a little less than a year, take them back and tell them it doesn't hold a charge anymore and they give you a new one.

:-? :

Wal-mart is the way to go. Keep the receipt and in a little less than a year, take them back and tell them it doesn't hold a charge anymore and they give you a new one. Yes, it fits in a 27 series box.

Some call it Wal-Mart I call it the poor man's rental center ;D

Not 100 % Sure about this but it might be worth a thought. The plates in a Marine battery or thicker than the plates in a car battery this is I beleive is to helping them survive all the bouncing and jaring around that they may be subject to onn a boat. Sure they will work but they will not last due to being drained downed and the abuse of being on a water craft