Battery Setup

[24-7Fishing]

I just added an HDS 7 to the bow of my boat. I currently have 2 batteries for the 24 volt trolling motor and the cranking battery for the big motor. I also have a fish finder at the steering wheel that is tied into the cranking motor. My question is...is it too much to have the HDS tied into the cranking battery also?? Or should I look to adding a 4th battery??

[1860Angler]

That will work just fine, no need to add a 4th battery. I would suggest a good group 31 starting battery, the added capacity will ensure many hours on the water with no issues. I run two HDS's, livewell pump, marine radio and stereo all off of the starting battery and have never had any issues.

[itsagr8day4fishing]

If your current starting battery is a size 24 I would recommend buying another with a Blue sea systems add a battery kit with Acr(automatic charging relay)and starting isolator. Hook all your house stuff to one and your main to the other. The acr will automatically combine the batteries when charging and separate them if one drains down to low and you have the ability to manually combine them for emergency starting. I had no use for an extra 24 if I upgraded to a 31 so I went this route and it works excellent.
http://bluesea.com/productline/overview/329