Best Solution for Battery Setup

[dan1979]

Hello,

I own a 1986 50HP Force Outboard that is on a 16' vhull. I am curious if my motors' alt/gen can recharge my battery with my Trolling Motor hooked up (new Minn Kota, bow mount, 55lb thrust). Currently I have 2 batteries on board; Battery #1 is hooked straight to my outboard. Battery #2 is connected to my misc electronics (fish finder, horn, etc...) and also my trolling motor. I would like to switch this up a bit, if it will work.

It would be ideal to run the trolling motor off of Battery #1 so its continually recharged by the motor, rather than having to swap batteries on the water. Will this work, is my alt/gen large enough to at least recharge my battery somewhat? Any thoughts, ideas, or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[GrindKore]

Re: Best Solution for Battery Setup

I would do it the other way around. Use second battery exclusively for the troller, this will be your largest AMP draw. All other electronic should have minimal AMPs and will not discharge main battery much even if you run them for 12 hours straight.

 

[dan1979]

Re: Best Solution for Battery Setup

GrindKore,

Thanks for the reply. That makes sense, I will put my misc electronics on Battery #1 along with the outboard, then run my trolling motor off its own battery. Do you need a fairly large motor in order to supply plenty of juice back to your battery to maintain your trolling motor? Or would I need to buy an onboard battery charger?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[john from md]

Re: Best Solution for Battery Setup

I suggest that you incorporate a battery selector switch in your circuit. This will allow you to charge either battey and start with either battery. It gives you more versitility and longer trolling.

Of course you know you can only charge one battery at a time with your small stator.

Regards,

John

 

[dan1979]

Re: Best Solution for Battery Setup

John, thanks for the tips. Sounds like a good idea.

 

[GrindKore]

Re: Best Solution for Battery Setup

Most outboard motors produce somewhere around 5 AMPs at 13.3 Volts of charging current. This is typically enough to keep the battery topped off with light drain from fish-finder, marine radio, some light fixtures and occasional motor starter use. The troller motor can eat a lot of AMPs depending on usage. Therefore, you will eventually drain more power than the outboard motor can charge unless you cruise 3 to 4 hours at WOT to your fishing spot. Also, keep in mind although deep cycle batteries can be discharged much more than automotive, you should never discharge them below 60% capacity if you want to keep it for more than a season.

 

[Matthew A.]

Re: Best Solution for Battery Setup

I run my boat with a dual battery setup. The reason mostly being due to my alternators output of only 7 amps. I used to run a battery isolator. However, because of isolators tendency to cause a voltage drop of 1 volt, I would often find both batteries not being sufficiently charged. To get around this problem as well as which battery does what and when I installed an automatic charging relay. The one I installed is made by Blue Sea Systems. model 7600. The ACR allows both batteries to be charged and disconnects them automatically should battery voltage drop below or excedes a selectable voltage setting. Using an ACR also allows one many different options regarding dual or multiple battery banks. It allows for voltage sensing for charge source on either battery bank. Remote sensing incase of voltage drop due to cable resistance. Adjustable combining (automatic connecting) voltage and overvoltage disconnect. Emergency dual battery start capability (Best to use dual battery selector switch) when neccessary. Plus, installation is fairly simple.