Newbie Quetion ( Charging While Fishing )

[Dodger1234]

Hello all.
As mentioned I,m a newbie to this forum and all ready I have learned several helpful tips!! My outboard charges both the cranking and deep cycle batteries. I can switch it to only charge one of them if I want to with a manual switch that was installed. My question is, is it OK to leave the motor idling and have it charging the electric motor while I am using it so that the drain is minimal.
Thanks, Dodger1234

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Newbie Quetion ( Charging While Fishing )

What engine are we talking about here?? The charging system on your engine does not charge the electric motor -- it charges the batteries that the electric motor draws its current from. The charging system on your engine will not likely output enough current to make a significant difference and besides, with fuel costs as they are, that would be very inefficient. To answer your question though, yes you can leave the engine idling -- but there would be very little benefit.

 

[Dodger1234]

Re: Newbie Quetion ( Charging While Fishing )

Thanks for the answer. Sorry for not being more clear, I was wanting to leave the motor idling to charge the deep cycle battery while fishing. The motor is a 25hp Merc. so if it's left idling it would only cost about $10 bucks for the day and I was hoping to get more time using the electric motor before the battery craters.
Dodger1234

 

[abj87]

Re: Newbie Quetion ( Charging While Fishing )

Thanks for the answer. Sorry for not being more clear, I was wanting to leave the motor idling to charge the deep cycle battery while fishing. The motor is a 25hp Merc. so if it's left idling it would only cost about $10 bucks for the day and I was hoping to get more time using the electric motor before the battery craters.
Dodger1234

at idle speed that motor is going to put out almost nothing.
leave one battery for starting the motor and use the other for the trolling motor.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Newbie Quetion ( Charging While Fishing )

if you kill both batteries, that 25 is easy enough to rope start. your best bet is to get the biggest deep cycle battery you can, for the trolling motor, and keep it charged at home. the charging system on a 25 is only designed to maintain the starting battery. for longevity of your batteries, charge the both to full capacity as soon as you get home. they do not like to be left in a discharged state.

 

[Dodger1234]

Re: Newbie Quetion ( Charging While Fishing )

Thanks for the help.
Dodger1234