2 trolling motors from same battery bank?

ShoestringMariner

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Apr 18, 2015
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so I’m considering 2 electric trolling motors on my boat. Both 24v. One on transom mount and one bow mount. A little unorthodox maybe, but I’m trying to leave my gross polluting to point A-B and use mostly electrics while fishing,

question is, has anyone done the same with both motors on one battery bank? I’d like to be able to draw with both motors at a whim or use a switch.

because I have a starting battery and fuel x 2 at the back, I’m thinking about putting both batteries up front to distribute the weight. I Sumai might need some heavy cables routed to the back for the rear motor. I don’t wanna run into charging two separate zones at the end of the day. Just park it and plug in the charger
 
Last edited:

ShoestringMariner

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Apr 18, 2015
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Dammit, Voice to text screwed me again...where the edit button??

anyway, do you guys think I need a switch between them, or can I just wire them both up and use whichever I please?
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
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Sep 22, 2003
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28,771
Wire both the battery bank and go fishing. If you intend to control both motors from one position in the boat you will need remote controlled motors. You do realize that running two motors will deplete the batteries very quickly! If you are fishing a large body of water your range and speed will also be very limited even when running on one motor.
 

ShoestringMariner

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Apr 18, 2015
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Thanks for your response. No I will be using one motor at a time. Which one depends whether the better half is coming in where she wants to sit.

she often likes to sit in the bow reading a book with the dog. If it’s just me, I’m going to have a drop in platform and swivel seat up there
 

fishrdan

Admiral
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Jan 25, 2008
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I "used to have" 2 trolling motors on my 18'er (still can), but I found that I never used the transom mount and leave it at home now. The bow mount is a MK Powerdrive with wireless controller, so I can operate the TM from anywhere in the boat. Food for thought.

If you're going to run 2 TM's, just wire the battery bank for 24V and run 24V to the bow/transom plugs (2 wires only). You'll need heavy gauge wire for the long run, probably 6ga. Use Blue Seas DC wire calculator to figure out the size of wire, then get the wire from genuine dealz dot com
 

ajgraz

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Mar 1, 2010
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Why not get a single trolling motor and two quick-release mounts? Put one of the mount bases up front, one in the rear; swap the TM to fore or aft as needed?

(Still need to run two sets of power cables, of course)
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
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Sep 22, 2003
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Why two motors. Since you don't have either one yet, why not buy one bow mount with RF controls. Doesn't matter who sits where and a bow mount is far better for control than a stern mount.
 

ShoestringMariner

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Apr 18, 2015
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Thanks guys. I’ve decided to run only a bow mount. I am going to upgrade to wireless. I didn’t know they existed until now. I don’t get out much LOL. Well truth be told I don’t look at new gear because I don’t want to spend the money.
 
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