12v wiring

[jjeter]

I am currently running my 2 aerator pumps, bilge pump, and trolling motor off my deep cycle battery. I plan to install a fuse block to centralize the wiring. Should I wire the trolling motor only to the deep cycle and everything else to the cranking battery?

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: 12v wiring

everything to deep cycle, except motor!<br />at least you'll always get home...<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[jjeter]

Re: 12v wiring

Thanks M.Y., guess I was way off. I looked at my Dads wiring in a 2000 Procraft and he had everything but trolling motor to cranking battery. Thanks again for the advice!

 

[495v]

Re: 12v wiring

Not that I'm argueing with M.Y., but my Ranger is setup with everything to the crank battery. The only thing on my deep cycle is the trolling motor. I think it's a matter of preference. Most accessories will use very little juice and your motor will still crank. I'll sit all day with the radio on and depth/fish finder and not have a problem starting the motor. Then again, my deep cycles are set up on a 24v system for the trolling motor, maybe that would explain the way the boat is rigged with accessories on the cranker.

 

[jjeter]

Re: 12v wiring

Thanks 495v.<br />I am still researching. The wiring is quite a mess on my boat and I want to clean it up before I experience any problems. Thanks again!

 

[RICKRICK1]

Re: 12v wiring

skeeter- mine has everything wired to the cranking battery except the trolling motor and it has its own battery. I made a small pair of jumper cables and keep them in the boat at all times. I troll for extended times and usually only run the boat for short times between spots. Have had trolling motor battery die a couple times on long weekends but never the cranking battery.

 

[Boatist]

Re: 12v wiring

You do not say what type of Boat and Motor you have. If it is a I/O and you have a 30 to 100 amp alternator I would wire everything to starting motor battery. At least I would wire every saftey iteam to starting motor, Running light, Horn, Bilge Pump, Bilge Blower, Marine Radio, GPS.<br />The Aerators and Trolling motor can go on the deep Cycle. If you are like most fisherman some WINDY day when the fishing is good you will run your trolling battery completely dead but you are still going to want to start your main motor trun on the light and if raining or nasty weather you are going to want to be able to pump the bilge.<br />On my boat a 20 foot I/O with 60 amp alternator a Kicker motor and two batteries everything that came with boat is on I/O starting battery, (Lights, horn Bilge Pump and Bilge blower. Everything added is on the deep cycle battery, Radio, Loran C, GPS, Depthfinder. On my boat use a battery isolator to charge both batteries so as long as motor is running everything works.<br />If you have a Outboard with a small alternator I would not charge your trolling motor battery with Outboard motor. Takes way too long to charge and puts too big a load on a little alternator. Just a couple thing to think about.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: 12v wiring

As safety is not to play with I'd suggest:<br /><br />Have one starting battery that serves this purpose only (=runs the motor & related electrics)<br /><br />Another battery for all other consuming devices <br /><br />Fit a combined battery switch & charge device (several around - prefer electronic) which will separate the batteries when charging is zero (=engine stopped) and will maintain optimal charge to the batteries when the engine runs. It will give the starting battery first priority to ensure this is always up to it's best (which doesn't take long as you use this battery only a little) and then charges the extra battery. At all times it monitors both batteries and routes charge to these accordingly.<br /><br />This way your charge is optimized and no matter how much power you use for bells and whistles you'll always be able to start and recharge.

 

[jjeter]

Re: 12v wiring

Thanks to all for great advice! I am new to this forum and I am quite impressed by the excellent responses to my questions. I will continue to visit frequently and hope to provide some good info myself. Thanks again to everyone!

 

[lewjayjr]

Re: 12v wiring

There is a book called the 12v Doctor. It is a bible for boating electical systems. You can find it on the site if you do a search.