Wiring & Battery Question

[Buster_boy]

I have a pontoon that came with 40 hp Johnson. That is what is wired to the helm. This is the power source for the gauges, lights, stereo, tilt/trim, etc. I also have a 9.9 hp Mercury as a kicker with its own remote controls.

The primary body of water I'll use has a 9.9 hp max restriction but I plan to keep the 40 for other lakes, rivers, etc. Using the 9.9 means I lose my lights and stereo.

Is it possible to connect both motors to one battery so I'll have my lights and stereo, but pull the starter fuse on the 40 so I don't blow the electrical on both?

 

[alldodge]

Is it possible to connect both motors to one battery so I'll have my lights and stereo, but pull the starter fuse on the 40 so I don't blow the electrical on both?

Don't really see an issue, separate controls and using one battery.
How do you have it connected, and why do you think there would be a problem?

 

[wrench 3]

Most boats only run the gauges off of the control box. The lights, horn, stereo etc run off of a direct feed from the battery.
Would that system work for you?

 

[Buster_boy]

OK well I'm a newbie so forgive me for being stupid. I messed with it today and discovered something I didn't know. I hooked the 40 to the battery today for My first time. I have black and red for the 40 that run under one pontoon, presumably to the helm/controls, and two smaller gauge black and red running up under the center of the deck., again presumably to the helm but for the accessories. Is that correct?

Also, with the 40 connected I could adjust tilt/trim but I could not turn the key in the ignition. I was trying to just click the motor but that didn't happen. Do I need a new ignition or in my newbieism am I missing a step?

 

[alldodge]

OK well I'm a newbie so forgive me for being stupid. I messed with it today and discovered something I didn't know. I hooked the 40 to the battery today for My first time. I have black and red for the 40 that run under one pontoon, presumably to the helm/controls, and two smaller gauge black and red running up under the center of the deck., again presumably to the helm but for the accessories. Is that correct?

Also, with the 40 connected I could adjust tilt/trim but I could not turn the key in the ignition. I was trying to just click the motor but that didn't happen. Do I need a new ignition or in my newbieism am I missing a step?

Not seeing what your seeing, it appears your connecting it correctly. If your not fully in neutral you will not get a click. Take the shifter and wiggle it a bit fwd/rev while holding the key to start and see what happens

 

[wrench 3]

There is normally two 10 gauge wires running from the battery to the accessories.
So your saying that the ignition switch in the control box for the 40 physically won't turn?
The battery cables (probably 4 gauge) run directly to the engine and the battery supply to the control box comes from the engine.

 

[Buster_boy]

I was being a bone head and used the wrong key lol. Once I cured my Cranial Rectumosys it clicks just fine. It's not in the water yet and fuel wasn't hooked up either so I wasn't trying to start it, just seeing if it'd crank a bit, which it did.

The 10 ga wires are for the helm/stereo etc, so I'm good there, but is there always power to those devices? I guess you better be sure to shut everything off when you're done?

 

[wrench 3]

The lights, accessories, etc are usually always hot. Many boats have two batteries with a selector switch between them that has an off position that shuts absolutely every thing off. I have added this system to couple of toons that sit out there all day with the stereo on.

 

[Buster_boy]

Ok. I don't have two batteries but I think I still want a switch