View Full Version : Trollin' Motor Battery Question
Phishin
03-22-2002, 09:49 AM
Okay, here is the deal. I just tested my trolling motor battery (I just have one) and the battery tester said that it's still pretty good.
Can I buy a new battery and hook both batteries together in series?? Will this cause the new battery to obtain a lower performance because I'm hooking up to an older battery (2-3 years old). Is there any advantage to having 2 batteries hooked up in series (ie, longer usage before they are drained)?? Finally, can I charge them together?? I have a two bank charger, but one bank charges the cranking battery for the big motor, can I charge two batteries in series with just one bank??
Peace Out.
Steve Hulbert
Musky Fever
03-22-2002, 10:51 AM
Steve,
How's the new boat?
They sell a switch so you can run battery one till it runs out, then swith to battery two. When you want to charge them, you put the switch on the all setting and it will charge them both.
I have three batteries with an on board three bank charger, two for my trolling motor (24V) and one for starting and electronics. This year I had that switch installed so I can run four batteries without going to a four bank charger. Two for the trolling motor and one for starting and all electronics with the fourth being a backup for the starting battery (two graphs, livewell when fishing suckers, start boat, radio, and running lights) takes a toll on a battery. Battery one goes down, I put the switch to fully charged battery number two. When it comes time to charge, I put the switch to the all position and it charges them both.
Hope this helps!
Phishin
03-22-2002, 11:08 AM
Hey Ralph...
The new boat is working out fine. I had to replace the battery for the big motor this week (actually, the dealer took care of that for me).
The "switch" seems like a good idea. But what happens if you put the switch on "all" while you're running the trolling motor?? Is it like having the batteries in series or in parallel?? If you put two batteries in series, does that means you just created a 24 volt system or do you create 24 volts if you hook them in parallel?? Will I ruin my trolling motor with 24 volts??
What about battery performance when hooking up one new battery and a pretty good used battery??
Peace Out.
Steve Hulbert
Musky Fever
03-22-2002, 05:38 PM
Steve,
The switch is hooked up to the other two batteries, not the trolling motor battery. The only time you put it on all is when you charge them.
I used to run two batteries when I had a under powered trolling motor. Running two batteries like that gives you more amperage wich will give the trolling motor more power, not more pounds of thrust but something like more torque. I ruined two batteries in one summer doing this, I don't know why they went bad but I have not done it since, I now have a trolling motor strong enough for my boat and still use two batteries but one is a spare.
If you're hart is set on doing this I would talk to someone who really knows batteries as they are used in boats, someone at a boat dealership, and see if there is a GIZMO that will do it without damaging the batteries.
Good Luck.
Jawbone
03-22-2002, 10:27 PM
http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/marine_battery.htm
Check that site. Take a look at the part on on running batteries in parallel, which will increase your Amp hours.