24 volt trolling batteries used for emergency starting?

nightstalker

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
570
If a boat has one 12 volt starting battery and two 12 volt trolling batteries rigged for 24 volts for a trolling motor, is there a way to use this 24 volt system as a backup for starting the engine if the single 12 volt battery dies? Can you use jumper cables, battery one/two switch without blowing the 12 volt starter?<br />Stalker
 

KM2

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 15, 2003
Messages
556
Re: 24 volt trolling batteries used for emergency starting?

Just jumper or use ONE of the trolling batteries . I have just pulled my starting battery put the trolling battery in and started up.
 

nightstalker

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
570
Re: 24 volt trolling batteries used for emergency starting?

When you say jump her, do you mean using jumper cables from one of the trolling batteries to the starting battery? Do I have to disconnect the two trolling batteries so that I'm not jumping 24 volts?<br />Stalker
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: 24 volt trolling batteries used for emergency starting?

If you connect jumper cables to the POS and NEG of just one battery (either one), you will only feed 12 volts to the engine. No -- you don't have to separate the two batteries in the 24V system. Just be sure to connect both jumper cables to the SAME battery!
 

PAkev

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 9, 2002
Messages
665
Re: 24 volt trolling batteries used for emergency starting?

Upinsmokes got it right, <br /><br />I went out the other night and fished for a few hours without even starting my outboard. Although I got around with my trolling motor, my nav lights and fishfinder sponged a little too much power from my cranking battery when it came time to start the outboard. Luckily enough I wasn't terribly far from the ramp and had jumper cables in my truck. I hooked them up as upinsmoke indicated and started the big motor right up. <br /><br />I am currently in the process of making up two jumpers out of Heavy duty wire and about 3 ft long with eyes on both ends that can be easilly screwed under the wing nuts and can be easilly stored on the boat.
 

nightstalker

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
570
Re: 24 volt trolling batteries used for emergency starting?

Thanks for the help. <br />Stalker
 
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