jvfisherman
03-15-2001, 04:26 PM
Can you run 12 volt acsessories of the same batteries you have connected in series for a 24 volt trolling motor? Or, do you have to get a third battery for the acsessories? Any help would be appreciated.
I hope you can, I have been running 12 volt accessories off both my batteries wired in 24 volt for 3 years.
Stormsearch
03-16-2001, 06:58 AM
Since not many other people have responded, I would generally say no. The idea of using two batteries for a 24v trolling motor is to use identically matched batteries bought at the same time.
If you start using one of the batteries for 12v accessories, then one of the batteries will no longer be matched to the other one. Eventually the non-used battery will discharge into the used battery. The effect can be lessened with a 24v charger that charges both batteries independently and performed very soon after use. If the accessories you are using have minimal draw, then you probably will not have any problems. If running bilge pumps, radio, and lights then you may have problem. Really the only problem you will have is that the batteries will not last as long as designed because of the continuous charge/discharge they will experience, if the charging/discharging is enough to effect the battery overall.
Most boats that use a 24v trolling motor system, have a separate starting battery. And they use the starting battery for all accessories. If the accessories are seriously draining the starting battery, then they either add another starting battery in parallel with the first or run a separate deep cycle battery for the accessories. With a 24v battery system, and a starting battery, again most boats will have a 3 bank charger; 2 banks for the trolling motors and 1 for the starting.