What battery setup to use?

[MC Degner]

I am currently running my trolling motor on a new deep cycle and am using the starting battery to start my 90hp johnson and to run all other accessories (lights, aerators, pump, and sonar). The starting battery is getting old and went dead on me one day on the lake. Could the accessories be draining it too much, (also having tach problems, so I'm looking at the rectifier)?? Does this sound like an OK setup, or should I go to a Dual purpose to run accessories and start?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What battery setup to use?

There is nothing wrong with your setup. It's exactly the way my personal boat is configured. What you may be experiencing however, is that the charging system is not working, the battery is headed for battery heaven, or that you don't run long enough at any one time to keep the start battery charged. I have Schumaker battery maintainer (a 1.5A smart charger) installed on my start battery and a 6A Guest for the troller battery. Both are plugged in at night and I never have a battery issue.