Extra trolling Battery

[River fish]

I was wondering if anyone has ever installed a 2nd trolling batt? I have a 88 tracker with 2 batteries one starting and one trolling, the problem is many times after I have been fishing for 7 or 8 hours and constant trolling motor operation the trolling battery is almost dead.<br />so this season I had room to fit a 3rd battery into the compartment so thats what I did, it works great but so far I have been manually changing the cables on the water when the 1st trolling battery is dead and this is starting to get old fast!<br />I thought about hooking the 2 trolling batteries together i.e.pos to pos and neg to neg but did not know for sure about any unforseen problems. also I have a 12v only trolling motor, I am concerned about overloading my 10 amp dual bank charger and the phase charger that use's the outboard's alternator to charge the 2nd batt after the starting is topped off. if anyone has any thoughts I would like to hear from them. Thanks in advance.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Extra trolling Battery

As long as you hook them up (pos) to (pos) and (neg) to (neg)... you can also buy a battery switch for about $30.00. <br />how are your bats charged? and how many amps are they? Also, is your motor a 24 volt?

 

[River fish]

Re: Extra trolling Battery

I have not went out and checked to be sure I belive that The Trolling batteries are around 500 amp and they are identical deepcycle trolling ever-start's from walmart. my charging system is a guest 10 amp 2 bank and I have a 12 v Minn-Kota all terrain. as far as a switch<br />I've looked at some perko's and others but the ones that offer switching back and forth between 2 batt's have a setting in between positions #1 and #2 that is for ALL batteries and Im not sure if it would have any dire effects if they were momentarily switched together ( the 2 trolling batt's would be the only one's on the switch )

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Extra trolling Battery

For your trolling battery you might want to go to a single group 29 size battery OR add a lawn tractor size marine ENGINE battery and convert the other battery to deep cycle also of same existing size you have now. The latter only adds about 20 lbs and gives you 20 + minuts of cranking and you will have DOUBLE the trolling battery power. Of course you got the bank switch if your engine battery goes dead.

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Extra trolling Battery

The 500 amp rating is for cranking not the actual amp rating of the battery. Trolling motor batteries are rated a 25 amp continues draw and how many hours they will run at that draw. Most of the Johnson Controls batteries in the group 29 class are rated about 115-120 amper per hour at 25 amp draw for deep cycle. The group 27's are about 85 amp and 25 amp draw. Of course you don't use your trolling motor at that high a draw unless your fighting current or very high winds. Comprendo..

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Extra trolling Battery

this will allow you to select which battery to use or charge....don't be afraid to have them connect together for only a short while. It is also ok to have them connected together while charging or discharging through use. Just don't leave them together when left stored for long periods....<br />

 

[Boatist]

Re: Extra trolling Battery

River Fish<br />I would install a switch. Since not starting your main motor thru the switch even the cheapest switch will work fine. Most are 1, 2, both, off. If you will always use this switch in this way do not even need to get one with a field disconnect circuit. Schematic setup will work fine. A buddy I bass fish with uses the same setup when fishing tournaments. When not in a tournament he takes one battery out, he is a speed nut. Switches $22 to #35 for some very good switches, 200 amp. Since your trolling motor unlikely to draw over 55 amps any battery switch you get should work fine.

 

[River fish]

Re: Extra trolling Battery

Thanks a bunch guys, since I already have all three Batteries and weight is not really a problem I think I will go the switch route that<br />Schematic: posted. the diagram was Great, that's really what I was looking for, I'll pick a switch up tomorrow and put it on. Thanks again fella's