Does this actually do anything?

[Blake0912]

On my 88 Dynatrak Fish n ski i have a panel on the bow where the trolling motor plugs in. On the panel it has some switches one for the deck lights, one for the power trim, and another that says "charge and run". My question is, is this some sort of on board charger or does it cycle the current coming my motor to the starting battery over to my trolling battery? It dose not matter if the switch is on the "charge" or "run" position the trolling motor still has power even if the switch is in the middle which i would imagine would be an "off" position. Any answers would help, thanks.

 

[oops!]

Re: Does this actually do anything?

hi blake....welcome to iboats...

lets get you moved to the electronics forum where the tecckies can help you.
we cant do anything without pictures here....lol

 

[j_martin]

Re: Does this actually do anything?

The switch is a double pole, double throw switch that switches 2 trolling motor batteries from series (for 24v operation) to parallel (12 v only)

If you have the batteries wired to the boat charging system, or a single 12 volt charger, it will only charge the second battery in the "charge" position.

I have mine wired so it charges from one of the 2 20 amp regulators on my V6 merc. The function of the charge/run switch is done by a heavy duty relay that throws when the ignition is turned on, putting the batteries in parallel. That way, anytime I'm running, I'm charging both trolling batteries. When I shut down the main engine, it's ready to rock in 24 volt mode for the trolling motor.

 

[Blake0912]

Re: Does this actually do anything?

Thank you for moving my thread to the correct section oops, and thanks for your response J.
My system is originally set up for 24v but I only have it running 12v now because thats all my trolling motor needs and i'm to cheap to buy another battery hah. Anyways Your saying that if i have the switch on "charge" while running the motor will charge the starting battery along with the trolling bat? And the "run" position is for when i'm using the trolling motor? Also have another question, What would be the easiest way to find out if the system is hooked up correctly and charging the trolling battery like it should?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Does this actually do anything?

No! The trolling motor batteries are a totally separate system from the engine starting battery and that switch has absolutely nothing to do with the engine charging system. Boats that were setup by the manufacturer often had both a 12 volt and 24 volt capabilitiy. Since 24 volt systems required two batteries wired in SERIES, some method was needed to break that series connection to permit charging those two batteries from a single output charger using the trolling motor receptacle. Remember that not too many years ago there were no dual, triple and quad output chargers so only manual, single output chargers were available. Setting that switch to the 12V CHARGE position allowed charging BOTH batteries because the charge position PARALLELED the batteries. In the RUN position 24 volts via the SERIES connection was available. A switch on the motor selected 12 or 24 volt operation. Boats were wired in a number of ways using two, three, and four wire systems.

 

[Blake0912]

Re: Does this actually do anything?

Ah okay so basically it does nothing to help me out. I just take the battery out and hook it up to a battery charger before i use it anyway. That answered my question. thank you.

 

[takirb]

Re: Does this actually do anything?

I have the same type of switch on the front of my fish and ski, and wondered the same thing. Thankfully my boat came with a 3 bank onboard charger, and that basically took all the guess work out for me. Good info to know though, thanks Silvertip! Mine doesn't seem to matter whether i have the switch on 12 or 24v though, it uses power according to what setting i have the foot control set to.