a little help please

[bollerj]

i have a 40 hp johnson electric start on a 14' Sea Sprite boat ( got the whole set up for $300 and restored for only $400 ). i have a evinrude trolling motor, somwhere around 20-30 lbs thrust that is 12v or 24v.the trolling motor will not be used all the time, only while fishing. i am trying to figure out my battery situation. i have bought a everstart from wal-mart group 29 and it has 720 CCA, it is a deep cycle and starting batery. i am trying to see if i need to get a smaller starting battery and use this for trolling, but i also need to run my lights and possibly a radio in the future. i am trying to see what i need to get without breaking the bank which is why i was looking at a smaller battery just for starting. any help is appriciated.

 

[rndn]

Re: a little help please

The best setup is to have 1 starting battery that you can also runs the lights and fish finder and then a seperate deep cycle for the trolling motor. You will need to charge the deep cycle with a battery charger as the outboard will not be capable of keeping it fully charged. For maximum battery life make sure you charge the deep cycle as soon as you finish using it.

 

[bollerj]

Re: a little help please

thanks, i dont think my motor will charge a battery though, even the starting one. do outboards charge the battery also?

 

[haskindm]

Re: a little help please

Most will charge a battery, but not all. My Dad had a 35-horse Mercury that did not, but that was back in '68. Depends on the age of the motor I guess.