Switch for trolling motors

[triple m outfitters]

Wiring isn't my strong suit, I have a 2100 battery switch that I'm wiring to run two deep cycles for my trolling motors I will be using one battery at a time. I want to be able to switch to a fresh battery if I need to. The switch has Bat 1 and Bat 2 and Both and off. For weight distribution I have one battery in the stern and one in the bow. (20ft flat bottom jet boat) Questions: Does the length of the cables effect anything? To ground the two together I'll have at least 20ft of cable, same with the positive? Do I need a breaker or is the switch the breaker? Does it matter if the two batteries are different cranking amps? Never been good at wiring but need to get this done smallmouth are starting to bite. Thanks

 

[sam am I]

Smallies?????


http://www.perko.com/sstv_video/sstv_battery_switches_wiring_a_selector_switch/

 

[triple m outfitters]

Big ones

 

[sam am I]

Luckyyyyy.......

 

[NYBo]

The longer the wire run, the larger the wire gauge to prevent voltage drop. Twenty feet for each side of the circuit is pretty significant. The exact gauge you need depends on the current draw of the TM.

Yes, you need circuit breakers, one within a foot or so of each battery.

Having batteries of different capacities doesn't matter in this case since you will only be using one at a time. Charge them separately, after each outing.

 

[sam am I]

Wait, sry I lost focus because I saw "fishing" in the post............So the two added batts are just for the 12V TM? And they're not necessarily being/wanted wired into the/a gas motor to charge then, right?

If so, then just wire as per the video, ya just will not have that gas motor connection to the common post and the "distribution" connection to the common post will be the "+" of the TM. The "-" of the TM of course goes to the "ground/neg post".......Looks like NYBo picked up the other slack.

Oh yeah, send pictures of the big'um's, we need proof!!

 

[triple m outfitters]

No Title

Thanks for the tips, I knew my Iboats friends would lend me some good advice. I have three deep cycle batts, 2 are for the trolling motor one is just to start the gas engine. I have a horn and a depth finder hooked up to the batt for engine start. I fish a river so I only use the depth finder for water temp (most often it's off) So I have 2 batts for my trolling motor. I"m using new jumper cables for wiring? I"m using heavy duty connectors instead of the clamps. The book says to use 60amp breaker for a 55lbs thrust TM. My initial lengths for wire were off. The longest run I'll have is less than 8 feet. So I'm in good shape!
I'm having trouble sending photos. Here's a photo of my largest smallmouth, Just a tad over 7 pounds. I guide on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River in North East Pa. It's some of the best smallmouth fishing in the country. Landing 100 smallmouth a day, 2 to 4 pound smallmouth are common. With the very mild winter the river is starting to warm, I'll be fishing in a few days. Can't wait! If your interested in fishing contact us at triplemoutfitter@gmail.com

 

[triple m outfitters]

I have another dumb question NYBo posted charge them separate. I do charge them separate, do I need to unhook them when I do? Told you I'm not good at electrical. I know enough to be dangerous without supervision.

 

[NYBo]

No need to disconnect them when charging. Just don't have the switch in the "both" position.

 

[fhhuber]

Best: When charging have the switch in OFF.

#1: Then you are not charging with them in parallel. (even though that can work... but then you just use ONE charger)

#2: It prevents accidentally powering the trolling motor. We don't like the prop spinning in contact with people.

Yes, you can charge them with a single charger and have it in the "Both" position.
You would want another switch or unplug the trolling motor for that.
I've been running multiple batteries in series as a battery bank for a solar power system for years. Each battery is individually fused AND there is a main fuse for the whole system.

Some trolling motor systems use a pair of batteries in parallel and that is fine... but you DO NOT EVER drain one then parallel to the still full battery! Use one at a time OR both at once...
Because your system has the ability to make this error you MUST have a fuse or breaker on each battery between the batteries and the switch.
You can explode both batteries by doing it wrong...

 

[triple m outfitters]

Thank you,I could have never done it without you guys!