2 battery setup with 2 engines charging.

[Tacklewasher]

This is on an 18' Starcraft that I use mostly for fishing.

I run a 1981 Evin 115 as my main motor and a Honda BF100 as a kicker. Both motors have chargers, although I've never hooked up the one for the Honda.

Normal for me is a 5-10 minute run on the Evin, 4 hours on the Honda, and another 5-10 minute run on the Evin.

I currently have 2 batteries hooked together for everything. I also have (not-installed) a 2 battery switch.

I run a sounder, two electric downriggers and plan on a stereo.

I want to be able to charge from the Honda while trolling. I don't want to have the charging impact the Evin, so I need to isolate them somehow.

Simplest would be to not connect the batteries together and have the Evin start and charge from one battery and all the accessories run off the second, being charged by the Honda. I still would have to charge the second when I get home and likely would have to charge the first battery as well, so I'm trying to figure out how to install my battery switch so I can accomplish what I need.

I had two batteries set up before, but without the Honda charging. I have a good switch that connects before it disconnects.

What is the best way to do this?

 

[rndn]

Re: 2 battery setup with 2 engines charging.

I would think the easiest way to get this done is to have 1 battery for each motor. If you do still end up needing the batteries topped off after the outing, I would suggest a 2 bank onboard battery charger. I recently installed a 3 bank onboard charger and love it. You just hook it up to the 2 or 3 batteries and when you get home you just plug it in and walk away. For me, all 3 batteries are always ready to go whether it's the next day or the next month.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: 2 battery setup with 2 engines charging.

Hmmm.

I do plan on adding a bow mount electric at some point (when funds allow) and would be adding at least one battery at that point.

So what would be a good 3 bank charger?

 

[rndn]

Re: 2 battery setup with 2 engines charging.

The only onboard charger I have used is a 5-5-5 BPS model from BassPro. It cost me around $150 and so far it has been great. The model I have will use up to 15 amps on one battery for cases where you may have a deeply discharged deep cycle and other batteries that are fully charged. Just make sure you stick with all of the same battery type.