1994 Astro fish-n-ski charging system

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Hi all.
I bought a 1994 Astro Fish and ski from someone who was pretty unfamiliar with his own boat, (new boater, only had it 1 year) didn't fish, and had no idea how to operate all the goodies. Here's my question...
On the control panel mounted in the bow of the boat where the trolling motor hooks up, there is a switch that says "charge". It is for the trolling motor batteries. That much i know. How does this system operate and is there a charger on this boat somewhere i don't know about? The boat model is S 18 F/S by Astro.
Thanks for any information...
TB.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1994 Astro fish-n-ski charging system

You've told us nothing about the boat and its accessories. How about the trolling motor? 12 volt, 24 volt, or a combination 12 or 24 volt. The switch you mention must have another setting (12/24, or RUN perhaps). Your boat is apparently set up for 12 AND 24 volt trolling motor operation. If you have a 24 volt motor you need two 12 volt deep cycle batteries wired in series to power the motor. You cannot use a standard 12 volt charger to charge both batteries simultaneously in a series connection so the boat manufacturer installed the switch that when placed in the CHARGE position, connects the batteries in parallel so they can be charged using a single 12 volt battery charger connected through the trolling motor receptacle. Check the trolling motor battery area. You should find two pairs of wires (Red & black, and orange and black). What that switch DOES NOT DO is charge the batteries from the engine.

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: 1994 Astro fish-n-ski charging system

Lack of information....got it.
The trolling motor is a motorguide brute 45lb thrust 12/24 volt combo. 2 deep cycle batteries are mounted in the aft storage compartment with 2 sets of wires (including inline fuses) which are connected to the batteries, assuming in series. There is a 3 pin plug connector up front for the motor hookup. The switch in question flips up to "charge" and is next to the hookup for the motor.

So what you're saying is the charger hooks up to where the trolling motor plugs in and sends charge back through the wires to the batteries? If thats the case, can i just charge each battery like normal by hooking up the +/- to each battery and charge one at a time or will them being wired in series present a problem.

Also, the trolling motor only operates when its switch is in the 12 volt position but thats another issue.

Thanks,
TB