Thread: Ulterra draining batteries

Had same problem couple years back. Changed batteries and with ulterra was running out of power in 5 hours. Now keep in mind this was pulling jigs and three big hinys in boat in windy conditions. Did on older batteries as well as new ones. I now run four batteries with 24 volt switching over at the plug. Have been running this set up for five years with no issues and lucky to have had enough space for the batteries. When this motor has to be replaced I will be going to a 36 volt system. Hope that doesn't happen for many more years due to the cost of trolling motors

Originally Posted by Cray

You need to pull batteries and have them load tested. Have you checked the water in them? Something wrong like a bad battery drawing other one down.

Also, Are you sure your charger is working properly? I'd try charging them with a different charger and see if that makes any difference.

Did you check batteries with a volt meter they should be 12.4-12.5 after chargeing. A load test will not always show a bad battery, charge batteries unhook wires check voltage let sit for 1 -2 days check voltage should not be below 12.4.

Can pull cranks at 1.3-1.8 in 20’ ranger with 36 v ulterra 8 hours no problem !

I pulled 8 hours yesterday with mine on a 21 foot bass boat at 1.6 mph with no issue

Clean the battery connections, including battery term, on a regular basis. You cant tighten them enough to keep corrosion away. I spray my connections with white lithium grease. This helps with corrosion, but creates it's own mess. I thoroughly clean the contact surfaces of the battery and wire connectors.

White lithium is a dirt dauber/wasp eliminator. This grease aint purdy, but I guarantee it keeps the flying bugs away from building nests. I spray under my boat seats to keep the devils away. No more leg stings from wasps. A little off subject, but I needed to share this cause my mind's tread is wearing thin.