24 volt system with Perko Battery switch

[cradhow]

I am installing a 24 volt system with my new trolling motor. The boat that I had purchased came with a perko battery switch. How would I use the battery switch with the 24 volt system with my trolling? I am thinking I will use 12 volt for trim and starting the engine- use 24 volt system for motor and hook up other electronics to one of my new 12 volts in series. In this thought I would have three batteries in the boat. Thanks for any input.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 24 volt system with Perko Battery switch

I have my batteries configured like you are talking about, 2-batteries in series for the 24V trolling motor and the 1st one of those batteries connected to the battery switch. It's double dutying the 1st battery in the 24V bank so you can use it as a backup battery for your start battery, or to preserve your start battery when the engine is off.

Personally, I like the Marinco 4 prong outlet/receptacle to connect the trolling motor batteries. Both of the batteries are wired to the receptacle independently as 12V inputs and the plug is series jumpered to convert it over to 24V for the TM, when it's plugged in. What's nice about the Marinco plug is that it can be reconfigured and jumpered to parallel the batteries (or use one of their 12V plugs which is all ready jumpered parallel). I took an extra Marinco plug and jumpered it parallel so I can charge both of my TM batteries while running the boat long distance. You have to have a high current alternator to see any benefit out of this though.

When I go fishing I use the bow trolling motor, or 12V lights for night fishing, not both on the same trip. With the Marinco setup, I can plug in the paralleled 12V plug and use both of the trolling motor batteries to run the fishing lights.

 

[cradhow]

Re: 24 volt system with Perko Battery switch

Thanks for the input guys. Right now the boat has one deep cycle to run a smaller trolling motor, bilge, fish finder, lights- With Perko battery switch installed. Prior owner had a cranking battery to start boat and power trim. Since I wanted overkill with my new trolling motor- I had to go to 24 volt system. Since I ve never installed, or wired anything on a boat. I am looking for help- I just want to be able fish as long as I want and not worrying about battery not starting. I thought the battery switch seemed like a nice gadget to keep in the mix- since I already have one.

Fishrdan- do you use 3 batteries in your set up?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 24 volt system with Perko Battery switch

I have 4 batteries, 1 start and 3 deep cycles, probably over kill, but I don't want to be stuck with dead batteries ruining my fishing trip. Take one of my batteries out and I would have exactly what you are trying to accomplish.

It sounds like you all ready have a start battery and deep cycle battery run off the battery switch right now, correct? If so, the all you need to do is to wire up another deep cycle battery to the existing deep cycle battery, in series. Place a jumper wire from the + terminal of the existing deep cycle battery to the - terminal of the new deep cycle. The trolling motor + wire will go to the + terminal of the new deep cycle, and the trolling motor - wire will go to the - terminal of the old deep cycle. Just make sure you use breakers close to the batteries and wire heavy enough to suit your load, 8 or 6GA wire and 50-60 amp breakers. Look at genuinedealz.com for wire and connectors since you can get "marine" wire from them at Home Depot prices.

The Marinco plug I mentioned is nice to have if you can use all it's functions, but if you are not going to use it for charging the batteries, I wouldn't bother getting one, just wire it up direct. Maybe a simple 2 wire plug if you want to easily unplug the trolling motor.

If you look though some of the old posts there are diagrams on how to wire the batteries in series for a 24V trolling motor.