Charging trolling motor batteries while on the road

[rmitchel]

Here is an unusual question.

I spend several weeks camping each summer in northern Wisconsin. There is no electricty at the camp site.

I have a Honda generator that I use to charge batteries -- but last summer I was not really able to keep on top of it (can only use the gererator between 10 am and 4 pm, but am usually in the boat during these times).

For this coming season I purchased the Pro Xtra II from Dual Pro so that my motor can help charge the trolling motor batteries.

But I am wondering about charging my trolling motor batteries while driving. I do this with my camper (through the 7 pin connector). Could I run a lead from the 7 pin up to the trolling motor connector in the bow? Will this work and is it safe for other components (e.g., on board charger)?

Thanks for any thoughts or opinions that you have.

[rmitchel]

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[PJM]

rmitchel

Minn-Kota had this system about 5 years ago and it did not work that good for some reason. You are going to need a big charging system to recharge your trolling motor batteries. The alternator might be 15 amps at wide open throttle so you might be driving around for a while. Also if you start cutting into the wiring harness on your main engine it might void your warranty. With these new computers in these EFI and direct injection motors hooking up that charging system, you could be asking for trouble. Just my opinion.

[EsoxProSport]

HAve you checked into a SOLAR CHarger? Never used one myself, and am surprised there is not too much info out there on them. Seems like bringing an extra battery or two would be a heavy but not extremely expensive alternative.

[Gumbo]

I don't have all the details, and am only posting because your question hasn't been answered yet. But I'm aware of two systems that will help. First is a charger that charges your TM batts when running your big motor--vendor is CSI. Second, there are also chargers that will charge all your boat batts while trailering your boat, but I don't know vendor info--maybe CSI or your local trailer supply store.

Good luck.

[rmitchel]

But couldn't I just use the vehicles alternator? It is already fused and regulated to charge a battery while pulling a camper. This is done through one of the pins in the 7-pin connector. While traveling, the camper battery is charged (but not overcharged because of the regulator).

Is there any reason that this wire could not be run to my two trolling batteries, and then they will be charged while traveling. I am pretty sure that this should work.

To make it simpler, why couldn't I just run the wire up to the trolling motor plug-in in the bow. If I connect to this outlet with the 12 volt plug (two 12 volt batteries in parallel), wouldn't this just back-charge into the batteries.

Seems like it should work to me. But I would love to hear from someone who know more about electricity/electronics then me.

Thanks.

[Walizz 1]

Hi Rick

You might be putting your alternator through a lot of heavy work. Check with a reliable mechanic. You might need a larger capacity alternator like they use on pickups for plows and stuff.

[MK]

If it is already set up to charge a camper battery, there should be no reason it can't charge up a trolling motor battery, assuming of course that your alternator isn't a member of p.e.t.a. and happens to be anti-fishing.

If it is regulated and fused, the worst that should happen is you'll blow a fuse. I'd give it a try. Charging both hooked together (assuming parallel connection) may be more than the fuse can take so you may have to charge one at a time.

[MK]

I forgot to mention in the first reply concerning your on-board charger, it is probably reverse-current protected, but if it was mine, I'd go ahead and install a disconnect switch between the charger and the battery for charging on the road. Sometimes those reverse-current protection circuits aren't all they claim.