View Full Version : Trolling Motor Install
DRICH
11-01-2008, 09:43 PM
I know what I'm about to ask is the wrong way to do this, but I have bought a small boat 14' and space is very tight. I will be putting a 25 hp on it with electric start. I want to run a 12v trolling motor on it and share the battery between the two motors. What type of battery will hold up better for this app. Will a deep cycle or a marine cranking be better? Thanks
you could get a combination deep cycle & cranking battery
Hot Runr Guy
11-02-2008, 06:15 AM
DRICH,
a couple of thoughts for you. Rebs is right, you can certainly get a combination starting-deep cycle battery. What I did for years with a 25hp 2-stroke was use the smaller lawn-tractor type battery for the 25, and a deep cycle for the TM, but moved the TM battery forward, to help with weight distribution, planing, etc. Does the 25 you're looking at also have a pull rope, in the event the main battery goes dead?
If you want to stay with 1 battery, get the largest capacity one you can, but seriously think about re-locating it forward. It's not that big of a deal to extend the motor and TM leads so they reach up front.
HRG
DRICH
11-02-2008, 08:19 AM
Thanks for the good ideas. It does have a pull start also. This is going to be a low buget project as cash is tight with everyone.
On my previous boat, I used a single type 31 Dual Purpose starting deep cycle battery to run everything including trolling motor, lights, stereo, live well, and start the motor. I never drained it to the point of not having cranking power for the motor. However, I did keep a small 230 amp tractor battery on board just in case and the motor could be pull started if neccessary.
Locating the battery in the front or middle of the boat will definitely be better that putting it in the rear with you. Make sure to use 6 or 8 guage wire.