three batteries, one for cranking, two wired in series for trolling m'tr

[SlowlySinking]

Re: three batteries, one for cranking, two wired in series for trolling m'tr

Hi JohnKee, that's pretty funny, "the mountains are out". Actually with the stealth unit and what you need the pair of 12 volt trolling batteries are always connected in series to provide 24 volts to your trolling motor, the Stealth unit converts the 12 volts to 24 volts to charge them, and you're right it doesn't isolate them. It's a ingenius way to address an old problem. However, for $400 plus $90 for the meter (for example I sell handheld digital volt ohm meters on ebay for $10+shipping) I personally would be hard pressed to buy this, I would opt for the series/parallel switching and use a shore based charger, but then I'm a McGyver type, plus I trailer my boat so its home and easy to charge. Good luck and keep an eye out for the sun.

 

[JohnKee]

Re: three batteries, one for cranking, two wired in series for trolling m'tr

FYI, I contacted both Charging Systems International and Stealth about their on-the-run charging systems. It turns out that a 20 amp alternator, as on the Yammi 90 hp, is too small to do much charging on the trolling motor bank. It will do it, but the rep. said that you will get very little. These units are apparently for BIG alternators, at least 30 amps.<br /><br />JohnK

 

[nbuus]

Re: three batteries, one for cranking, two wired in series for trolling m'tr

Two more thoughts:<br /> How about bringing a small gas engine generator with you when you go out for a few days. It can be nice to have 110v power available for things in addition to charging batteries.<br /><br /> It sounds like you won't often be away from shore power for long. How about just manually switching batteries. This would allow you to charge one battery at a time.<br /><br />Just food for thought.

 

[JohnKee]

Re: three batteries, one for cranking, two wired in series for trolling m'tr

Scotch Too,<br /><br />Good Ideas! I was going to look into a small gas generator. It needs to be small since I have little stowage. It would also work at the marina dry storage I keep my boat. I could just put enough gas into the tank to give the aproxmate charging time, and walk off and let it run dry.<br /><br />The switch-batteries-trick is also a good one I could just rewire each one, check it, and when toped off put another on the alternator. It would just be a matter of switching leads.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />JohnK