Trolling Motor Battery Set-Up & Placement

[Popeye USN]

Replacing the deck on my boat. It's a Hurricane hull with a pontoon type deck. I want this sucker to be water tight so the only through deck hatch will be over the aft centerline gas tank.

I plan on putting the trolling motor battery aft with the other batteries, and running a cable under the deck to up to the trolling motor. Any foreseeable problems with this?

Right now the two 12 volt engine batteries are connected in parallel which, I think, produces 12 volts? Here's the question? If the new trolling motor is 24 volts, how would you now install the batteries? One for the engine, and two in series for a total of 24 Volts? Can they be charged from the engine set up like that? Would a Perko help? I'm confused!

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Trolling Motor Battery Set-Up & Placement

Replacing the deck on my boat. It's a Hurricane hull with a pontoon type deck. I want this sucker to be water tight so the only through deck hatch will be over the aft centerline gas tank.

I plan on putting the trolling motor battery aft with the other batteries, and running a cable under the deck to up to the trolling motor. Any foreseeable problems with this?

There is typically no problem with this, just be sure you select the right gauge wire for the motor so it doesnt overheat. Its how I have mine setup, twin batteries in the back (parallel), trolling motor plug up front, ran 10gauge wire for the plug (although mine is just a 12v trolling motor).

Right now the two 12 volt engine batteries are connected in parallel which, I think, produces 12 volts?

Correct, when batteries are hooked parallel, you maintain the original voltage, but double the AH (amp hour) capacity of the batteries, (they draw down together).

Here's the question? If the new trolling motor is 24 volts, how would you now install the batteries? One for the engine, and two in series for a total of 24 Volts? Can they be charged from the engine set up like that? Would a Perko help? I'm confused!

It is possible to hook up a two battery 12v/24v electrical system... to do so, you would need to purchase some additional switching equipment to handle this or specialized plugs that allow the dual voltage on the same system... there are a couple of ways of doing it... (and no a perko wouldnt help)...

You can opt to go with a 2, 3 or 4 battery setup... (I would suggest at least 3, 2 for the 24v side, and one for the 12v side, but can opt for 2 for the 12v side for a total of 4 batteries).

The three battery setup seems the most common...

Here's some links to information for setting this up, and some accessories that may help:

Automatic system 1 (has mixed reviews):
http://www.cabelas.com/p-0032185017837a.shtml

automatic system 2
http://www.emarineinc.com/products/inverters/trollbridge.html

automatic system 3:
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/battery_chargers/dc_alternator_chargers/mk3dc_3bank.aspx

link to all of them listed on same page:
http://myweb.cableone.net/jonestrollingmotor/96a46e7f-0938-42e5-b632-164057e29178-9.html

Sounds like you know what you're doing for the batteries but here's a link to an article that explains Series/Parrallel:
http://www.batterytender.com/includes/languages/english/resources/Connecting_Batteries_and_Chargers_in_Series_and_Parallel.pdf

The only thing you have to consider now is the weight distribution of adding extra batteries... more weight up front = lower bow = less top speed, more weight in the rear = higher bow = higher top speed, but possibility of porpoising... I'll leave the placement up to you.

Hope that info helps! and good luck!

 

[Popeye USN]

Re: Trolling Motor Battery Set-Up & Placement

Thank you. I think you've given me enough information to become dangerous!

Would guess the electronic's etc. would run off the trolling motor batteries so as not to draw down the starting batteries.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Trolling Motor Battery Set-Up & Placement

Thank you. I think you've given me enough information to become dangerous!

You are more than welcome

Would guess the electronic's etc. would run off the trolling motor batteries so as not to draw down the starting batteries.

I would say no, if it were to run off the trolling motor batteries it would be on the 24v side of the circuit, and would fry all your electronics, as they are only rated for 12v.

If you have any more questions, lemme know!

 

[Popeye USN]

Re: Trolling Motor Battery Set-Up & Placement

Dang, I would have cooked everything! Duh!

This what I think I'll do:
1. Two batteries with a Perko. #1 for starting only; and #2 for electronics. #1will be charged on the way out, and #2 on the way back. When anchored or trolling switch to #2 to run electronics and save the starting battery.

2. Two batteries in series for the trolling motor. They will be charged seperately when docked.

As for the Perko with switches: OFF; #1; BOTH; #2
* Never use OFF. If this is true, why have an OFF to start with?
* Never use when the motor is running
* Use BOTH only in an emergency, and when docked and charging?

Miss anything?

Spent 26 years in the Navy....none as an engineer...go figure!

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Trolling Motor Battery Set-Up & Placement

Dang, I would have cooked everything! Duh!

This what I think I'll do:
1. Two batteries with a Perko. #1 for starting only; and #2 for electronics. #1will be charged on the way out, and #2 on the way back. When anchored or trolling switch to #2 to run electronics and save the starting battery.

2. Two batteries in series for the trolling motor. They will be charged seperately when docked.

As for the Perko with switches: OFF; #1; BOTH; #2
* Never use OFF. If this is true, why have an OFF to start with?
* Never use when the motor is running
* Use BOTH only in an emergency, and when docked and charging?

Miss anything?

Spent 26 years in the Navy....none as an engineer...go figure!

Sounds like you got it!

As for the never use off??? dont know, I use "Off" when parking my boat... believe it or not there can still be a slow natural drain on a battery when its parked for extended periods... by using "Off" you are essentially breaking the entire circuit and cutting power to the entire boat... I think its a good practice to switch them off after every trip... saves any potential draw, or possiblility of an electrical short... (the only drawback is if you have say a radio with memory presets.. if you kill all the juice, obviously they would need to be reset each trip, so its up to you what to do there)...

 

[Popeye USN]

Re: Trolling Motor Battery Set-Up & Placement

Thank you again. You're the best!