Any Electrical Genius's here?

Briguy · #1 03-18-2004, 01:04 PM

I need help figuirng out how long I can leave on a livewell pump before my battery dies. At times I catch bait near the Skyway bridge in Tampa bay the night before fishing. The last time I tried this on my flats boat the battery died overnight and the bait died.(crappy starting battery) I just installed a Sureflo 800gph livewell pump and a 40 gallon tank on my 23 Seacraft. According to sureflo the pump draws 2.75 amps. I have a deep cycle marine battery group 27 with a 130 min reserve. I believe this is calculated at 25amps. How do I figure out how long the livewell will keep running until the battery goes dead?

TUGBOAT · #2 03-18-2004, 01:31 PM

Kinda reminds Me of when I used to wonder "How far can I go when the fuel gauge reads EMPTY"? Well after walking a ways I knew ! Next time i wanted to know this I took a gallon of gas with Me.How bout getting one of those Fancy timers/switches that will cycle on & off? One day when I get set-up thats what I'll get.
Scream'n Reels'
Someone will have the correct formula for Your ? I'm Sure. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

PipeDreamsMarine · #3 03-18-2004, 02:01 PM

If you do the math your looking at 7.45 hours before its dead, that's in perfect conditions...I'd go with the timer set-up or if you have shore power where you keep your boat, put a small MARINE battery charger on it or if your at home, the same thing.

FELLOW-SHIP · #4 03-18-2004, 02:02 PM

Did some one put me back in math class or what??????? I’m feeling a little threatened if I say the wrong thing. But anyway here is my answer buy a bigger battery or buy a bait pen and keep them in there. I have a timer switch on my bait well with a 500 gal pump works pretty good and doesn’t draw that much juice. Did I Pass??
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

ocuyler · #5 03-18-2004, 03:23 PM

The 130 min. reserve is for a NEW battery at 80 degrees F at 25 amp draw, before discharging to 10.5 volts. At 2.75 amps, that will give you 19.5 hours. That's optimum/ brand new.

Your battery has a capacity of approximately 100 amp/hrs. A rule of thumb says not to discharge more than 50%, or 50 amp/hrs. At 2.75 amps per hour, you will have approximately 18 hours.

However, in the real world, those efficiantcies rarly come true do to amp leaks in bad connections, incorrect wiring, higher loads than rated, temperature, etc. So, I agree with PipeDreams: 7 or 8 hours. Do the timer thing...

ocuyler · #6 03-18-2004, 03:32 PM

Is there such a thing as an intermittent timer? Just how much 02 does bait need?

PipeDreamsMarine · #7 03-18-2004, 03:44 PM

Here ya go Otty my boy....

http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/w...uctId=13079779

Briguy · #8 03-18-2004, 04:11 PM

I just called my local boaters world and they have one in stock. I am going to scout out new batteries at Wally World, and a local Interstate dealer. Boaters world sells Exide batteries and I don't like that brand. I can get a deep cycle interstate group 27 with a 160 min reserve for 76.95 where B-world wanted close to a hundred bucks for simular. If I was made of money I would buy a rolls. Their website is incredable. The battery's they have for starting locomotive diesels are so big, you need a forklift to install them. How does 1700 pounds and 3800 cranking amps grab you. That would keep those greenbacks lively!

abl1111 · #9 03-18-2004, 04:37 PM

Better Mouse Trap:

Why not just use a fish pen ? They are cheap to make and or buy, and nothing keeps the bait more fresh/happy... I use it all season and it's maintenance-free, lasts years and years - and no electrical PITA.

TUGBOAT · #10 03-18-2004, 05:08 PM

If You have 1 batt. now that is decent then buy a New deep cycle,Next Year or so uy the second.That way Ya always have a good one aboard. I used to buy 2 at a time & they both seemed to DIE at the same time!?Thanks for the Timer link.
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