Charging Trolling Motor battery

[crzywvguy]

I was wondering if it was possible to charge the trolling motor battery off of the engine battery. As of right now we have a charge line from the truck to the trolling motor battery, so we can charge it to and from the lake but what about after we get there. The engine battery already powers the accessories. Would it be to much of a strain on it for the trolling motor?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Charging Trolling Motor battery

Hi crzywvguy. In my opinion, your alternator won't do much in the way of charging the trolling motor battery. Alternators are generally used to maintain a charge and not recover a deep cycle battery from a discharged state. Is it better than nothing? Maybe, but I would not rely on it to charge your battery back to 100%

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Charging Trolling Motor battery

Depends on what kind of alternator you've got. YES, alternators do a fine job of charging batteries. If you've got an outboard, usually they charge at a pretty low amperage and this is not a good idea, but if you're got an inboard it should be very easy. You'll need something called a "battery isolator".