View Full Version : One or Two batteries
I have a 16 Lund Rebel, 40 horse tiller (not an electric start). What I need to know is whether one battery will run 50 lbs thrust trolling motor, bildge pump, depth finder, live well, and lights or should I go with a two battery system?
Larry L
02-24-2002, 04:50 PM
Dave
My setup is fairly similar. I use two batteries. I have run down the trolling motor battery a few times but never the second battery. I rigged up a plug in on the second battery as well as the first. This way if I run the trolling motor battery down I can use the second one for every thing. It seems to work very well for me. If you run the trolling motor at higher speeds I would imagine that you could run both batteries down in one day.
Stinger WI
02-24-2002, 05:19 PM
Dave,
I always run my trolling motor on its own battery and all my electronics on the other.
Craig A
#663
fishandhunt1
02-24-2002, 05:44 PM
Dave I have about the same set up as you have except my motor is electric start. I run 1 battery for my starter,electronics,lights and livewell. I have 2 batteries for my trolling motor I have never run out of trolling power in 1 day but have come close a couple of times on windy days.Also when I run my big motor it recharges the battery a little because my motor has a generator on it it is a 1994 Merc. Some of your older motors do not have this but I think most of your newer motors have it. Happy Hookin!!!!!!!!!
Darenwh
02-25-2002, 08:58 AM
Look at it this way. If you have two batteries in the boat you should not run out of battery power. If you have one you likely will if you fish long days or windy days. For the money a second battery is cheap insurance against a waisted or shortened trip.
I have a single Type 31 battery on my Lund Rebel that runs everything. Starts motor, 44 lb. Maxxum transom trolling motor, sonar, livewell, stereo, interior lights, etc. I have never run out of power. But I can't say I've been trolling continuously from morning to night either. I have had plenty of long days on the river holding steady at 50%-70% power. I spent a day on a 300 acre motor restricted lake and trolled all over it. I don't have a bow mount and I'm sure that makes a difference with the amount of continuous use.
I use one battery because I haven't wanted the additional weight of a second battery. My motor can be started manually and the current from it will operate my running lights if I do run out of power. If your motor does not have any kind of alternator to power your running lights, I would be more inclined to agree with the other posters. Also I'm in the process of buying a bow mount and would be getting a second battery for it.
Cangl
02-26-2002, 07:28 PM
Flowers for the dead battery, and smiles from the fresh battery.
Maximizers do enable you to keep track of your charge which I have done with one battery but when electrical motors start borrowing from each other power slips away quickly.
I don't understand what you posted? Flowers for dead battery? Smiles? Maximizers? Motors borrowing power?
I did just have a root canal done and I'm comfortably numb on pain killers but please clarify.
I'm running one battery for the motor and electronics (electric start means the engine charges this one) and another battery (deep cycle) in the front for the bowmount trolling motor. Get a good battery charger for this one. Works great and distribute the load on my wee little boat.