Electric Motor and Fish Finder on one battery?

[Belchy]

I have never really used an electric trollong motor before, and when my father was going to get rid of it I decided to take it off his hands. The question is, I would like to hook this trolling motor (Evinrude Scout 1990??) and a fishfinder up to a single battery. I have never owned a fishfinder, and I was wondering if this is going to be possible. The minimum battery that the trolling motor calls for is a 585 Cold cranking amps. Will I be able to hook the trolling motor and the fishfinder up to the same battery. Also, I don't have an engine with an alternator, so I will be needing a battery with lots of juice. Any suggestions would be greatly apprecitated. <br /><br />Also, if there any suggestions for a good reliable fishfinder, please let me know.<br /><br />Thanks <br /><br />Belchy

 

[Boatist]

Re: Electric Motor and Fish Finder on one battery?

Belchy<br />Yes you can in most cases run the trolling motor and fishfinder off the same battery, but some unit have experenced noise problems.<br /><br />When looking for a battery get the biggest you have room for. Get a deep cycle and do not worry about cold cranking amps, but instead reserve capacity. Again the more amp hours the better. <br /><br />I do not know your trolling motor but first thing you need to know if it is 12 volts or 24 volts. 24 volt motors require 2 12 volt batteries. Second your need a good automatic or smart charger of 10 amps or more. A onboard charger is good also. You should always fully charge your battery without overcharging as soon as possible. The longer it stays discharge the sooner it will need replacement.<br /><br />Fish Finders is a big question. For Shallow water 60 feet or less I like Eagle or Lowrance made by the same company. Deeper fresh water or saltwater I like Lowrance. For very deep salt water over 300 feet I like furuno.<br /><br />Each of these brands make many fish finders. In shallow water resolution and power not that important and you want a 200KHZ 20 degree transducer.<br /><br />Deeper water and salt water requires a lot more power and highest resolution. Also in Salt water need a dual frewuency unit with both 50khz and 200khz transducers. Also for running downriggers the 50khz will allow you to see your down rigger ball.<br /><br />Each site has great web sites to show you all the units and there size, power and price.

 

[Belchy]

Re: Electric Motor and Fish Finder on one battery?

Hey thanks for the information, I am running a 12 volt motor, and as for the fishfinder I am going to look at one for about 60 feet and shallower. I am curious about an on board charger, is this something that is similar to an inverter? <br /><br /><br />Belchy<br /><br /><br />P.S. Sorry for the long reply, i am only able to get on the internet once a day, usually around 10 pm...

 

[Boatist]

Re: Electric Motor and Fish Finder on one battery?

On board charger usually more expensive but designed to survive in the marine enviroment. All that I have seen are Fully automatic and will fully charge your battery without over charging. You have to plug in into to 110 Volt shore power. You can get cheaper chargers for autos or boats that are also fully automatic but designed to be hooked up each time you want to charge your battery. They also plug into a home 110 volt outlet.