Battery Configuration

bohicab

Recruit
Joined
Feb 8, 2024
Messages
2
Hi.
Newby herego gentle.
Looking for advice on battery configuration for a boat I purchased in October 23. (1st time boat owner by the way)
Anyway, the boat is a 2006 Nitro 898 DX. 24 volt trolling motor running two batteries, and one battery used for cranking and running one Garmin 93sv. (going to add another Garmin at the bow wiht Livescope) All current batteries are alkaline.
So my question is... should I add a lithium battery (and its charger) to solely run the Garmins? Would that be too much battery weight? If that is not too much battery weight what size (amp/hour) should I use?

Thanks
 

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,370
In my opinion, the lipo's should go to the trolling motor as it has the highest draw. A good group 31 agm should handle your fish finders. On my boat, I have a good gp 31 agm for a house battery, all electronics, aereators, radios, ship to shore, lights, horn etc and never has dropped below recomended levels even after 8 hrs on the water. However, using a lipo as a house battery should work quite well. Lipos just don't work well for starting the main engine.
 

bohicab

Recruit
Joined
Feb 8, 2024
Messages
2
Thanks Airshot.
I have to take baby steps. I would start with the lithium for the electronics (12v 100aH). Then later on, make a decision on converting to lithium for the trolling motor.
Would 4 batteries be too much weight? I wouldn't think an extra 25lbs back there would hurt too much.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,240
Me, I would convert the motor to LiFePOs and use a DC-DC converter to power the electronics and leave the starting battery to solely start the motor. less money and less weight and no "click....awe crap"
 
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