where to stow the 2 12volt batteries for trolling motor

[arield]

Hi everyone, question on 2 12volt Battery locations on a 24 ft pontoon to supply my new 75thrust trolling motor. Does it matter where I stow the batteries and the charger. I was thinking of putting 1 battery inside of each side of the bench seat on my toon and the charger with 2 banks / which i will need a longer charging cable for the farthest battery. But having both battery separated a few feet apart, would that have some interference in performance or during Charging? Thinking having the battery being apart is to stabilized the weight on the boat.

Or should I just stow where my cranking battery is stowed in the back of the pontoon and run a 24ft recommended 6-gauge wire to the trolling motor connector, which I want to be installed next to the trolling motor. But then my question with this idea, being the power source is 24ft away would it interferes with performance?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.


Thanks

 

[fishrdan]

Re: where to stow the 2 12volt batteries for trolling motor

Use THIS wire size calculator to see what size of wire you need to use. I would shoot for 10% or less voltage drop and that TM probably draws around 35-40 amps max at 24V. The size of wire will vary with the length of wire run, longer runs require heavier gauge wire.

I'd mount the batteries mid-ship so it's not stern heavy, or bow heavy. Having the batteries seperated isn't a big deal, you just need to use the proper gauge wire.

If you use a Marinco 12/24 plug and receptacle, it really doesn't matter where you mount the batteries as each battery has a + and - home run to the receptacle. The paralleling of the batteries is done in the plug, when you plug it in, so you don't have to worry about parallel jumpering the batteries.

 

[Miner49er]

Re: where to stow the 2 12volt batteries for trolling motor

I just put in a couple of 12 V batteries and charger in a 23 foot pontoon boat that I hooked up with a trolling motor. I put mine in the changing room/portapotty room. Fit good & out of the way & I have good access to the whole setup.

 

[arield]

Re: where to stow the 2 12volt batteries for trolling motor

I just put in a couple of 12 V batteries and charger in a 23 foot pontoon boat that I hooked up with a trolling motor. I put mine in the changing room/portapotty room. Fit good & out of the way & I have good access to the whole setup.

Miner49er- i have pretty much the same setup, that area cross my mind. did you use the same gauge battery cable? what gauge cable? onboard charger on there too?

 

[5150abf]

Re: where to stow the 2 12volt batteries for trolling motor

I have 2 house batteries and a 2 bank charger and my batteries are at least 8' apart from each other and I haven't had any problems, both have the same charge once they are done charging so I think you are fine, I run a 12 volt troller though adn it is hooked to the battery directly under it.

Batteries have to go where you can find room for them and since most toons are stern heavy this might just help the boat run and sit more level, maybe do some experimenting before you hook them up and see what each different placment does to the boat and how it sits before you hard wire it.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: where to stow the 2 12volt batteries for trolling motor

Copper wire is expensive, especially the heavier gauge stuff. The less you use, the cheaper/easier this project becomes.

Have you considered a 24V battery? You won't have to buy another set of cables to run between the batteries. A good friend has a 24' Bennington and his stock battery lockers are up front.

 

[Miner49er]

Re: where to stow the 2 12volt batteries for trolling motor

Sorry I didn't get back right off. The wire hookup was already in place on the toon. It runs from the front plug on the deck, under the boat & comes up in the back area of the change room. I incased both 12 V batteries right next to each other and wired them in series, hooked up a 2 bank charger which I secured to the side facing the back of the toon.
I also spliced a 50 amp breaker ( designed for marine use) at the positive wire. Makes it handy to shut down the trolling motor when not in use. I'm pretty sure it's all 12 guage wire. Would have to check when I get back home next week.
If you like, I could take some pics of the setup & send them to you. I would put them on this forum but I havn't figured how to do that yet.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: where to stow the 2 12volt batteries for trolling motor

I would do exactly as you say. The 8 foot separation will have negligible effects on performance. If the batteries are not maintenance free, then you should ensure that the seats are ventilated.