Salmonseeker
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2005
- Messages
- 298
Hi everyone,<br /><br />I just purchased a 12 volt 55lb thrust trolling motor. It is a Motorguide. <br /><br />When I was reading the installation instructions regarding using one battery for your main engine and trolling motor. They recommend not to do this due to electrolysis issues. They write "Using the engine starting battery as a source of power for any trolling motor may cause electrolysis on metallic parts". <br /><br />Now when I go to the Motorguide website they have a wiring diagram showing a trolling motor hooked up to the main engine battery. Here is a link motorguide.com/index.pl/12_volt_and_24_volt <br /><br />The battery I will be using is a larger deep cycle. The deep cycle battery has more marine cranking amps than the starting battery the boat came with. I used it all last year with no problems. It says it is a deep cycle battery and not a dual purpose.<br /><br />Now that I want to install a trolling motor, I want to know if it is okay to use one battery for my trolling motor, accersories, and the main engine? What will be the issues with electrolysis? Can they be avoided?<br /><br />The motor is a 2004 Johnson 50HP 2 stroke and can be started manually if the battery ever did run dead. I know beacause I had this happen with the original battery. So I am not to worried about this happening.<br /><br />I plan on using a 50 amp circuit breaker with a on/off switch to the trolling motor. This will allow me to turn off all power to the trolling motor when not in use.<br /><br />Any thoughts? This is my first trolling motor and need some help.<br /><br />p.s. The trolling motor probally will not see alot of use, but that could change if it helps me fishing. I really don't want to install a second battery if I can avoid it.<br /><br />Thanks Jay