Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

[Ki Ki]

So here's what's connected to my one battery:

Electric start 30 hp Johnson with turn key ignition
Lights
Trolling Motor
Aerator
Bilge
Fish Finder

As you can see, that's a lot for one battery. If I get a second battery how should I arrange the items? In other words what things would you connect to battery 1. and what things from that list to battery 2?

Should I get a second battery? I noticed with the engine off and using the trolling motor it drains the battery lower than I like. I've never had two batteries in a boat, so this connectivity is new to me.

Also, are there certain batteries for cranking over the engine and a different one for the accessories?

Thanks

 

[NYBo]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

Dedicate the second battery to just the trolling motor. You want a deep cycle for that, the largest you can fit for maximum run time. For your other battery, you can use a marine starting battery, a deep cycle battery, or a dual-purpose battery.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

I agree.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

Dedicate the second battery to just the trolling motor. You want a deep cycle for that, the largest you can fit for maximum run time. For your other battery, you can use a marine starting battery, a deep cycle battery, or a dual-purpose battery.

Thanks!!!
Do trolling motos suck a lot of battery?

Also, stupid question but can I use my same trickle charger on automatic for both batteries? Can anyone recommend a link or cheap brand for the trolling motor?

Another silly question. I presume there are separate battery connections for each item like bilge, battery charger, etc? My Johnson trolling motor plugs into front of boat with 3 prongs. I assume it has it's own line to the battery from that bow port?

Sorry for the silly questions..

There's a stowaway on craigslist for $90. Said he paid $220 for it in 2012.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

Yes, trolling motors draw a lot of power compared to your other accessories. For a 12 volt TM, figure on roughly 1 amp per pound of thrust at top speed.

A trickle charger won't be adequate to recharge a discharged trolling motor battery; even worse would be trying to charge two batteries in parallel. Invest in a smart charger. You can get one for less than $50.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

The charger we have just has a switch that says auto / manual. Maybe it's not a trickle charger?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

You do not need to interconnect the two batteries and since your engine has such a low amperage alternator it is of no help in charging the trolling motor battery anyway. So the trolling motor battery will have two wires that connect from the battery to the receptacle at the bow. If those two wires are currently connected to the start battery, just disconnect them and move them to the troller battery. Everything else can stay the way it is.

We need to know the rating (AH or Reserve Capacity) as stated on the battery label to determine if the price is reasonable for that battery. Big batteries cost more than small ones so size is important. Stowaway batteries are sold at Sam's Club stores and I can tell you they are not $220 brand new.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

You do not need to interconnect the two batteries and since your engine has such a low amperage alternator it is of no help in charging the trolling motor battery anyway. So the trolling motor battery will have two wires that connect from the battery to the receptacle at the bow. If those two wires are currently connected to the start battery, just disconnect them and move them to the troller battery. Everything else can stay the way it is.

We need to know the rating (AH or Reserve Capacity) as stated on the battery label to determine if the price is reasonable for that battery. Big batteries cost more than small ones so size is important. Stowaway batteries are sold at Sam's Club stores and I can tell you they are not $220 brand new.

I'm sorry, what do you mean by interconnect? Can I just have two separate batteries side by side?

It's 185 reverse 105 amp?

 

[NYBo]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

Yes, keep the two battery systems separate.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

Yes, keep the two battery systems separate.

ok. Is that a good price for
That battery?see above post..


Also, if my charger says automatic/ manual- can I charge both batteries with it on auto?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

interconnect = join together. Don't do it. No - Ifeel $90 is too much for that battery. You can buy brand new for that price a.d still have a warranty.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

interconnect = join together. Don't do it. No - Ifeel $90 is too much for that battery. You can buy brand new for that price a.d still have a warranty.

I'll keep the two batteries separate, thanks Silvertip. One just dedicated to the trolling motor then. I'll keep an eye out for a trolling motor battery. Anyone know of any decent cheap ones that'd work? I have an amazon prime account so shipping would be free too?

Also, what's your thoughts on using my basic charger that says manual/ automatic. Can I charge both batteries with this? We've always charged our 1 boat battery with this.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

There's a battery at Walmart for $77 that is getting good reviews. EverStart 27DC-6 Marine Battery. Is this a decent battery? How do I know what size marine box to buy for this?

It'd be use for a Johnson trolling motor bow mount. 1 year warranty.

Here's a silly question. Does a battery off the shelf come charged fully or will I need to first charge it before I use it?

 

[2 Eagles]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

Yes you can charge both batteries on auto but charge them one at a time.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

... if my charger says automatic/ manual- can I charge both batteries with it on auto?

It is a possibility.

What is the Make and Model of the Charger?

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

It is a possibility.

What is the Make and Model of the Charger?

It's at home, not sure. I actually meant, I'd charge them one at a time though.

Can I get this battery for a trolling motor? Johnson bow mount?

EverStart 27DC-6 Marine Battery: Automotive : Walmart.com

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

Additional question (you guys are super helpful): This is kind of a silly question, but will the battery be obvious which wires the Johnson trolling motor are? Will they all be bundled and I'll have to separate them? Or do I just have to unplug wires until the trolling motor doesn't work to eliminate which one is coming off the main battery?

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

One more question

If I buy this new deep cycle battery, since it's newer and presumably better, should I use this for my main battery and the boat's starting battery that has everything hooked up to it as the trolling motor battery or are these two different types of batteries?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

You need the most powerful battery for the trolling motor. If the starting battery is good -- leave it alone. It if isn't it needs to be replaced. So why would you use a new trolling motor battery for the engine and then use a weak starting battery for the troller? You follow the wires from the trolling motor receptacle at the bow back to the battery. You can also tell which ones they are because they will be #8 gauge or so and hence much bigger than the others, but smaller than the engine battery cables.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Buy a second battery and hook what to what?

You need the most powerful battery for the trolling motor. If the starting battery is good -- leave it alone. It if isn't it needs to be replaced. So why would you use a new trolling motor battery for the engine and then use a weak starting battery for the troller? You follow the wires from the trolling motor receptacle at the bow back to the battery. You can also tell which ones they are because they will be #8 gauge or so and hence much bigger than the others, but smaller than the engine battery cables.

Thank you. I'm debating between three batteries-
TSC Brand Stowaway, Walmart Everstart, or Duracell at Samsclub. All within $10 of each other.

I want deep cycle for trolling motor, right? It's a Johnson bow mount trolling motor. Just any marine deep cycle battery will work, correct? I get confused by all the numbers on it. I realize some are larger than others.