Do I add a 4th battery??

[Pony]

Last Fall I had posted about trying to fix a rats nest of wiring in my new to me 2005 Lowe. The previous owner added a lot of extra stuff, and he clearly didn't care how or where he connected it. I have the wiring sorted, traced, and now labeled. I also took out the tube fuse panel under the dash and replaced it.....my next question is about the batteries.

I had 4 batteries in the boat when I bought it. As I was tearing apart what he had, I noticed that the PO was using 4 marine starting batteries for everything. I now have 2 Deep Cycle group 27's and 1 Marine starting. I have room for another battery.

A) I keep the setup the way I now have it. 2 DC and 1 starting. Main motor and Accy off the starting, and the two 24V trolling motors off the 2 DC's.....connected to the 2 bank on board charger (I will only use 1 trolling motor on a given trip so I am fine having them on the same 24V system.

B) Keep the trolling motors on the 24V system, keep the main motor on the starting battery, and put in a 4th battery (I have another group 27 DC) and put the accessories on that one

Looking for some opinions.....

 

[Pony]

Re: Do I add a 4th battery??

This is everything I power...

1) Engine is a 115hp Optimax
2) 80lb Minkota Maxxum with Digital Maximizer (24 volts)
3) 80lb Minkota Engine mount (24 volts)
4) Huminbird 997c on at the helm
5) Huminbird 597ciHD at the helm
6) Lowrance 4xd at the bow
7) Minkota Powered Anchormate at the bow with control at the helm - I am not opposed to getting rid of this.
8) 2 LED light sticks for night fishing on a switch
9) 12volt DC plug at helm and 2 near the transom
10) Gauges are (tach, voltage, fuel, speed, trim)
11) Switches at helm (accy, nav, bilge, livewell, horn)
12) Marine Radio
13) Radio w/ 2 speakers

 

[alldodge]

Re: Do I add a 4th battery??

Last Fall I had posted about trying to fix a rats nest of wiring in my new to me 2005 Lowe. The previous owner added a lot of extra stuff, and he clearly didn't care how or where he connected it. I have the wiring sorted, traced, and now labeled. I also took out the tube fuse panel under the dash and replaced it.....my next question is about the batteries.

I had 4 batteries in the boat when I bought it. As I was tearing apart what he had, I noticed that the PO was using 4 marine starting batteries for everything. I now have 2 Deep Cycle group 27's and 1 Marine starting. I have room for another battery.

A) I keep the setup the way I now have it. 2 DC and 1 starting. Main motor and Accy off the starting, and the two 24V trolling motors off the 2 DC's.....connected to the 2 bank on board charger (I will only use 1 trolling motor on a given trip so I am fine having them on the same 24V system.

B) Keep the trolling motors on the 24V system, keep the main motor on the starting battery, and put in a 4th battery (I have another group 27 DC) and put the accessories on that one

Looking for some opinions.....

A - If your not having any issues now I would not change anything

 

[NYBo]

Re: Do I add a 4th battery??

The only change I might make, since you already have it, is to use the Group 27DC in place of the starting battery. It should have enough muscle to start the outboard (check the stats, though) and it will be more tolerant of being discharged by the accessories.

 

[Pony]

Re: Do I add a 4th battery??

The only change I might make, since you already have it, is to use the Group 27DC in place of the starting battery. It should have enough muscle to start the outboard (check the stats, though) and it will be more tolerant of being discharged by the accessories.

I guess that would be option C .... In my picture, I can't see what the battery is rated for in regards to cranking amps, so I might have to check that when I get to the boat next.