phx5kegsman
Petty Officer 3rd Class
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2021
- Messages
- 83
Hello. I usually hang out in the Johnson/Evinrude section, but I have some questions about batteries. I am currently running a 12V Minn Kota Edge powered by two 12V flooded lead acid batteries, wired in parallel, for longer run time. To charge them, I have been using a basic, but newer digital charger. I connect one lead to the positive of one battery and the other lead to the negative of the second batteries. Both batteries were purchased at the same time, and are identical. They are a few years old so I may have to replace them soon. Also, my boat was previously set up (before I bought it) for a 24V. The person I bought it from had the current 12V minn Kota wired up to just one, of the two circuit breakers. When I added the second battery, I removed both of the old breakers and wired a new 50A breaker between the battery switch and both trolling motor hot leads going to the motor at the bow. I've been running this setup for almost three years with no issues, other than lack of power, as the Minn Kota is only 45lbs of thrust. That's the backstory. Sorry if it was a bit lengthy, lol!
I was recently given a used Motor Guide Tour 24V 82lbs of thrust. It's an older model, but is in good condition and runs great. I have some wiring questions about going back to a 24V setup. Do I need two breakers, or will one 50A be enough? If so, will the configuration that I have now work? Can I just wire the batteries up in series and call it good? The battery switch is for dual batteries. Is there any benefit to isolating each battery?
My next question has to do with charging. I want to buy an onboard charger, but don't want to break the bank, lol. Does each of the two batteries need to be charged by itself, requiring two charging banks? I already need a two bank charger for my trolling and start batteries. Would I now need a three bank charger? I hope not because the price seems to jump up a lot between two and three bank chargers. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
I was recently given a used Motor Guide Tour 24V 82lbs of thrust. It's an older model, but is in good condition and runs great. I have some wiring questions about going back to a 24V setup. Do I need two breakers, or will one 50A be enough? If so, will the configuration that I have now work? Can I just wire the batteries up in series and call it good? The battery switch is for dual batteries. Is there any benefit to isolating each battery?
My next question has to do with charging. I want to buy an onboard charger, but don't want to break the bank, lol. Does each of the two batteries need to be charged by itself, requiring two charging banks? I already need a two bank charger for my trolling and start batteries. Would I now need a three bank charger? I hope not because the price seems to jump up a lot between two and three bank chargers. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
