Tims 6-2-2011 (Bad Day)

**fossil** · 06-03-2011, 09:37 PM

Figures first day in over a month I have been able to get out on the lake for some fishing and I still didn't get to do any fishing. The wife & I got on the lake about 7am headed out to one of my favorite spots and pretty much had that area of the lake to ourselves. Dropped the trolling motor down and hit the pedal and nothing, wouldn't even try to turn the prop. Did some trouble shooting for about 30 minutes and figured without a meter could'nt do much more. I am getting really upset because I just bought this trolling motor a couple months ago and if its dead I am really going to be mad. Decided to turn the fishing trip into a pleasure trip and run the lake for a little while to calm down. Ran from Neils Bridge area to Devils Step and to Tims Ford Marina and back to Neils Bridge. Nice ride but time to go home and see what is wrong, well with my meter it didn't take long to figure out that nothing was wrong with the trolling motor. I only was getting 14 volts out of the 24 I should be getting. I can't believe that the prop would not move at all with 14 volts, well to make a long story short not only were both my trolling motor batteries pretty much dead my 7 month old 3 bank charger is dead also!! When I plug it up it says the batteries are charged and ready, that's also what it said before I unplugged it to go fishing that morning. I had a little bit of the warranty left on the batteries so only out about $150 for two new ones and the charger is still under warranty but will have to send it off and be without it for about 2 weeks. Luckily my starting battery wasn't dead also it checks out good. Just strange that 2 batteries and my charger die together, don't know if maybe the batteries killed the charger or the charger killed the batteries. The charger is one of the new computer controlled SMT technology type chargers, the company said they cant believe it is dead. My luck they will try to say I killed it and won't honor the warranty. I am going to bass pro tomorrow and buy the XPS charger they have on sale for $139 and if they fix mine or send me a new one I guess I will keep it as a back-up. Dang didn't mean to be so long winded.

Randy

**Tenntodd** · 06-03-2011, 09:47 PM

Sorry to hear about your luck Randy. I bought an XPS charger last winter and I have had good luck with it so far. It is a 3 bank 5/5/5. Knock on wood, I haven't ever had the dreaded battery trouble on the water. I do have pretty fresh batteries so hopefully they will be ok. I am headed to Normandy in the morning early to beat the heat. Taking a guy from work that wants some crappie for the freezer.

**GoneCrappieFishing** · 06-03-2011, 10:01 PM

I bought an xps 3 bank charger from BPS, and it went bad while still in warranty. Sent it back to the company that the paperwork said to send it to, not BPS, and they sent me a different model back. I got the yellow one, pro mariner, or something like that, but it works just fine. Have to say they stood behind it for me.

**fossil** · 06-03-2011, 10:59 PM

The Pro Mariner is what I have and the XPS is actually made by Pro Mariner for Bass Pro. The boat had a Pro Mariner on it when I bought it and it lasted about 6 years so thats what I bought to replace it, but it only lasted 7 months and it is one of the new SMT style and according to Pro Mariner they don't fail very often. As long as they replace it I'll be happy.

Randy

**The Shootist** · 06-04-2011, 12:03 PM

I have heard too many stories of onboard chargers going bad and leaving you with drained batteries or overheated batteries. I just use an old charger on fishing boat and never have had a problem..Pontoon had a onboard on it when i got the boat so i took it off and charge with old charger also....Guess Im just hardheaded.

**c1bigocarp** · 06-04-2011, 03:38 PM

I have used the onboards for years with no issues with them. But when the batteries go they go and that is it. I think that on a 24 V system if you do not get the 24V then you get NADA. That is what I understand anyway. I hope you get is straightened out and get back on the water.

**gabowman** · 06-04-2011, 03:48 PM

Thast is tough luck.:o Hope youre back and running soon.

**fossil** · 06-04-2011, 09:20 PM

I got new batteries yesterday and picked up a new charger today, should have everything back together tomorrow. I also have used the on board chargers with no problems until this time. I think the batteries just went bad and the charger burned it self up trying to charge them. Its probably partially my fault I usually check on everything at least every other week but this time I hadn't checked on them for about a month. Been busy with other stuff. Batteries still were good on water but they were about 29 months old and also they had set for about 6 months before I bought the boat with little or no upkeep. Hope to get out a fish some next week.

Randy

**derick37335** · 06-05-2011, 08:29 AM

with all the storms we have had may have been hit by lighting

**fossil** · 06-05-2011, 10:01 AM

Yep I thought about that also or at least a surge from a lightning strike but would have thought if that happened my computer would have kicked off. I have it on a surge protector that is pretty sensitive and usually kicks off with the slightest surge.

Randy

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