Thread: Trolling battery

Lots of people do that including me. Use identical batteries for best results.

I have a 175 and 2- 31 batteries would not fit in the battery tray. I used the small compartment on the left side behind the seat for one on them. I had to take out the plastic liner and I put piece of paneling in the bottom and cut a hole from the battery compartment in to the small compartment with a hole saw and put a bushing in it to protect the wires. I was going from 12 to 24 volt but the concept is the same. The small compartment fit the battery perfect.

Originally Posted by deltarat

I have a 175 and 2- 31 batteries would not fit in the battery tray. I used the small compartment on the left side behind the seat for one on them. I had to take out the plastic liner and I put piece of paneling in the bottom and cut a hole from the battery compartment in to the small compartment with a hole saw and put a bushing in it to protect the wires. I was going from 12 to 24 volt but the concept is the same. The small compartment fit the battery perfect.

That's the route I was gonna take

would you need a onboard charger set up for the new battery or will the second battery charge through the jump wire ? QUESTION IS DO I BUY A THREE BANK TO REPLACE THE TWO BANK .

Originally Posted by eagle 1

would you need a onboard charger set up for the new battery or will the second battery charge through the jump wire ? QUESTION IS DO I BUY A THREE BANK TO REPLACE THE TWO BANK .

From what I've read you can charge both batteries at once if you connect positive from charger to positive post of one battery and negative from charger to negative post on second battery if they are connected parallel so one charger is all that is needed.

I'm thinking about installing the same set-up next spring. I want to stay 12 volt but only have a 2-bank charger. Gonna be due for a battery in the spring & may just buy 2 for those long days.

I have two in my Taho s/f and have a perco battery switch installed so I can be switched between them. I have used a long time and has worked well trolling for stripers in Tennessee, walleye at CJ Brown or several days of just crappie fishing around central Ohio.

I converted mine 10 plus years ago. At the time I thought I wanted a 24v TM but when I added it I found that thing was just way to fast for my boat. I sold the 24v and went back to a 12v but decided to keep the extra battery. I have two 29 series batteries and as long as the batteries are good I can run all day. I do use a 3 bank charger. I do have the TM hooked up from positive on one battery and the negative on the other battery.
Just some things to consider
*You are adding a lot of extra weight, can your set up handle it? (my boat was a underpowered so it didn't help) I had a motor issue last year and upgraded the OB.
*Can your floor handle it? (my compartments & batteries are right next to each other and the added weight caused the floor to sag a little)
*You are adding some extra expense. (batteries aren't cheap, I have to change my batteries every 3 or 4 years. If I run out of juice while fishing and I'm sure both batteries are charged, I will replace both batteries if they are 3 years old) Once a battery is 3 years old it's a waste of time taking them in to be tested, just replace them both. I've never had a company check a marine battery and say it was bad. However after I replaced the batteries the problem of the charge only lasting 5 or 6 hours it solved the problem...for another 3 years.