Battery And Battery Charging Question

[NeWcS]

First off im going to run 3 batterys in my boat. 1 for the front trolling Motor(24#) and 1 for the back(24#). The third battery will power a fishfinder, a small livewell air pump and 2 lights for fishing at night. <br /><br />My question is: For the F.Finder, pump and Lights can I get a smaller battery than I would need for the trolling motors? Like a motorcycle or ATV Battery Or this: CLICK HERE <br /><br />Also, Can anyone suggest a good, Cheap, Battery charger?<br /><br />Thank you,<br /><br />-Jay

 

[Sea Six]

Re: Battery And Battery Charging Question

I think I'd put the two deep cycle batteries in parallel and run everything off the same leads. Then you only have one place to recharge as well. You probably won't need a third battery that way.

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Battery And Battery Charging Question

Originally posted by Sea Six:<br /> I think I'd put the two deep cycle batteries in parallel and run everything off the same leads..

Can you explain this more as im pretty new to the boat fishing things, I just got my boat a few days ago.<br /><br />Thank you<br /><br />-Jay

 

[Boatist]

Re: Battery And Battery Charging Question

I would not put in a small battery to run lights, and a live well pump. First of all you will not save that much, a group 24 is one of the cheaper sizes. <br /><br />To really give you good information we really need to know what size lights and also the live well pump. Also weather the live well pump will run full time or on a timer where it may run one minute then be off for 5 minutes? Another thing is how long will you be out at night, All night or 3 or 4 hours. A 100 watt Light Draws 8.3 amps and a live well pump can be 2 to 5 amps.<br /><br />I am not a big fan of parallel batteries because if one battery fails it will also suck the charge out of your good batteries and destroy it also. If you do go with a parallel batteries at least build a battery isolator with some big Diodes to stop the bad battery from breaking down the good battery. <br /><br />If your set on 3 batteries I would buy a group 27 deep cycle for your trolling and use the old group 24 for your lights and live well pump.<br /><br />As far as charger go I think Wallmart has a good auto chargers by Vectors. What ever you buy make sure it is automatic and at least 10 amps. If your looking for a three bank charger then you are looking at big Bucks.<br /><br />You might want to hook up the new stuff to your trolling motor battery and see how long it last. Never discharge a starting battery below 80 percent or a deep cycle below 50 percent.<br /><br />Keep the other battery for your Main motor.

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Battery And Battery Charging Question

To really give you good information we really need to know what size lights and also the live well pump.

LIVEWELL PUMP Says It draws 1.5amps<br /><br /> BACK LIGHT Calls for a 1-amp fuse so I’m guessing somewhere around there?<br /><br /> FRONT LIGHT Calls for a 1-amp fuse so I’m guessing somewhere around there?<br /><br />The Fish finder is a Bottom Line Tournament 310 and says it runs on 12v DC, .3-amps<br /><br />

Also weather the live well pump will run full time or on a timer where it may run one minute then be off for 5 minutes?

I dont think ill put a timer on it seeing how the timer is the same price as the pump . Ill just put it on a switch and turn it off every so offten.<br /><br />

Another thing is how long will you be out at night, All night or 3 or 4 hours.

It just depends. Id say If I do go night fishing it woiuld be for 5-8hrs.<br /><br /><br />Thank you for the help.<br /><br />-Jay

 

[Sea Six]

Re: Battery And Battery Charging Question

Unless you're doing a LOT of trolling, you can run all that off of 1 battery if it's a good size, at or near 1000 MCA. If you find 1 battery is not lasting long enough for you, a parallel setup means you have 2 batteries connected together, + to +, and - to -, so you still have 12 volts, but twice the current capacity. Don't put 2 small batteries together, say 550 MCA, in that case just get a more powerful battery. At 24# motors, I assume you're talking about a fairly small boat, say around 14'?

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Battery And Battery Charging Question

Originally posted by Sea Six:<br /> At 24# motors, I assume you're talking about a fairly small boat, say around 14'?

Yep, thats correct

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Battery And Battery Charging Question

Im thinking im going to get a big one for the 2 trolling motors. Ill only be running one-at-a-time anyways. And getting a small lawnmower type battery for the lights and fishfinder.<br /><br />Thanks for everyones help<br /><br />-Jay<br /><br /><br />PS: What does 'MCA' stand for?

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Battery And Battery Charging Question

I found out that MCA means Marine Cranking Amps. So your saying to get a bettery that has around 1000amps?<br /><br />=Jay

 

[Boatist]

Re: Battery And Battery Charging Question

Newcs<br />Now knowing more about your boat I would suggest you only need two batteries. I guessing your motor is not an electric start or even if it is you can start with a manual roap start. Light you are running are no bigger than regular navigation lites on the bow and stern. I had thought you were talking about big bright flood lights. I also figured your motor was big electric start that you could not start with a rope pull. <br /><br />Since you are not starting a big motor with a electric starter I would suggest any battery you buy be a deep cycle. You do not need 1000 cranking amps to run a small trolling motor, instead you need reserve capacity. I would put one motor on each battery and hook your lights, fish finder, and livewell pump on the battery for the trolling motor you run the least.

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Battery And Battery Charging Question

Thank you for the info. <br /><br />Im thinking of getting a good size deep cycle for the motors and a small lawnmower/atv/motor cycle battery for the lights and fishfinder<br /><br />Thank you,<br /><br />Jay

 

[Sea Six]

Re: Battery And Battery Charging Question

I think you should try running everything off of one good deep cycle battery. If the charge doesn't last long enough for you, then get a second. Save yourself some money if you don't need to spend it. I really doubt you will need more than one battery for what you're running.

 

[NeWcS]

Re: Battery And Battery Charging Question

I picked up a 115amp'er form WalMart today.<br /><br />Thanks for everyones help and input<br /><br />-Jay