New boater trolling motor question - Triton 186 Escape

[ironman99011]

I am new to the boating community, boat owner approx 1 month. I purchased a 2014 Triton 186 Escape ski/fish combo. My question is relating to the MotorGuide trolling motor that was factory installed on the boat. Everything I have read states that trolling motors should not be operated from the cranking battery but I have been unable to locate any additional batteries to power the trolling motor. Is this a standard configuration for this boat model and should I remedy this issue. In the battery compartment, there is not even a tray for additional batteries, additionally, in the rod box there is an electrical cord for I assume is an onboard charger.
Am I missing something ? I have not attempted to use the trolling motor due to not wanting to damage the cranking battery.
Thanks.

 

[briangcc]

The reason for not using the trolling motor hooked to your cranking (starting) battery is rather simple....

A trolling motor will eventually drain the battery flat....then you can't start your outboard / i/o.


I would think somewhere in your boat is a tray for a 2nd battery...or should be. Find the onboard charger. Does it have 1 or 2 sets of pigtails? If its got 2, trace em and you should find where the 2nd battery should be.

IF it truly is setup for only (1) battery, I'd personally look at finding a spot for a second battery and also upgrade the battery charger to a dual bank model that can charge both the cranking and deep cycle.

 

[roscoe]

Your boat was available with either a 12v trolling motor, or a 24 volt or 36v motor. So there is room for 1 starting battery and up to 3 separate batteries for the troller.

Earlier models had the starting battery on the starboard side in the rear of the boat.
The trolling motor batteries were directly opposite, in a compartment on the port side.

Maybe they moved them, so look under the steering consoles, in the floor, under the bottom of the forward storage compartments.

Online wiring diagrams do not show wiring for the troller being connected to the main starting battery.
The fuse block does not show a 40 or 50 amp fuse for the troller.
Suggesting that it is a stand alone setup.

You have more battery(s) somewhere.

Visit a Triton dealer ?

 

[ironman99011]

The reason for not using the trolling motor hooked to your cranking (starting) battery is rather simple....

A trolling motor will eventually drain the battery flat....then you can't start your outboard / i/o.


I would think somewhere in your boat is a tray for a 2nd battery...or should be. Find the onboard charger. Does it have 1 or 2 sets of pigtails? If its got 2, trace em and you should find where the 2nd battery should be.

IF it truly is setup for only (1) battery, I'd personally look at finding a spot for a second battery and also upgrade the battery charger to a dual bank model that can charge both the cranking and deep cycle.

Tank you so much for the reply, I thought it very odd for a factory set up to only have a single battery. I will look closer through the storage compartments, if truly a single battery, will remedy.

 

[ironman99011]

Your boat was available with either a 12v trolling motor, or a 24 volt or 36v motor. So there is room for 1 starting battery and up to 3 separate batteries for the troller.

Earlier models had the starting battery on the starboard side in the rear of the boat.
The trolling motor batteries were directly opposite, in a compartment on the port side.

Maybe they moved them, so look under the steering consoles, in the floor, under the bottom of the forward storage compartments.

Online wiring diagrams do not show wiring for the troller being connected to the main starting battery.
The fuse block does not show a 40 or 50 amp fuse for the troller.
Suggesting that it is a stand alone setup.

You have more battery(s) somewhere.

Visit a Triton dealer ?

Thanks for the reply and suggestions. This past weekend was the 1st time I have been fishing with the boat so I may well have not looked properly in all the compartments for trolling battery(s).
If I can't figure it out, there is a Triton dealer about 25 miles from home.

 

[MRS]

Where did you purchase from or who did you purchase from? Ask them .