Connecting second deep cycle battery to 12v Trolling Motor

[bigesox11]

What do I need to connect a second deep cycle battery to my DV-16? It currently is set up with just one deep cycle battery connected to the trolling motor at the front of the boat. Would I need to purchase a different receptacle and wire that my trolling motor plugs into since I will be using two batteries? I don't have the wiring right in front of me, but I believe that there are only conncections for one battery back to the trolling motor receptacle. I would also like to add a battery selector switch so that I can choose which battery to run independent. The boat is wired as it came from the factory with just one deep cycle batter and a cranking battery. Thanks.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Connecting second deep cycle battery to 12v Trolling Motor

You don't need a selector switch. Get another battery identical to the one you now have and connect it to the old battery pos to pos and neg to neg. This set up will give you twice as much trolling time.

 

[bigesox11]

Re: Connecting second deep cycle battery to 12v Trolling Motor

I would like to use the switch because I don't want them to be in parallel. The switch that I have did not come with instructions so I'm not sure how to go about wiring it.

 

[bigesox11]

Re: Connecting second deep cycle battery to 12v Trolling Motor

I also want to place both of the trolling motor batteries up front. Right now I just have one deep cycle battery and one cranking battery in the rear. Is it going to be difficult to pull the trolling motor wires that are now going to the back of the boat up to the front of the boat? Should I just get a new trolling motor receptacle instead of trying to pull the old wiring from the back of the boat to the front? Thanks.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Connecting second deep cycle battery to 12v Trolling Motor

You don't need a selector switch. Get another battery identical to the one you now have and connect it to the old battery pos to pos and neg to neg. This set up will give you twice as much trolling time.

That's the best plan. Two batteries connected in parallel are the electrical equivalent of a single battery with twice the capacity.

Note: If it is truly an "old" battery, it's best to install two new, identical batteries. An old battery will tend to run down a new one when they are connected together. If it's only a year or less old, it's probably OK.

 

[bigesox11]

Re: Connecting second deep cycle battery to 12v Trolling Motor

I was told by someone in the Marine Department to keep the batteries and not have them in parallel, especially for one wearing on the other and for better results when charging. Thoughts??