Re: Protecting depth finder and trolling motor
Are you using the same batteries to start your outboard that run your troller? If so, the advice is probably pretty good.
Your motor uses just 12V. Look at the battery wiring. One of the batteries will have the large wire that goes to the outboard controls on its positive terminal. That's the one used by your outboard. But, you'll have to identify the wire.
If you have space, consider using a separate battery for starting and accessory use. It's no fun to have run down your starting battery with the trolling motor when it's time to head back to the dock.
As for battery condition, if you're running out of battery in that short a time, then, yes, at least one of the batteries is in trouble. Pull them and take them to a battery place and have them tested. Replace one or both, based on the results.
As an aside, if you habitually run your trolling motor at full speed, you'll get a much shorter working time. Even one speed lower will give you quite a bit of additional time. I run my little one at half speed almost all the time, and the battery lasts all day.
