Running lights

[CV16]

OK, on my dads boat, we run a 15hp trolling motor. We usually head out a few hours before sun up. He wants me to run the power for the running lights to the battery for the little motor instead of the main battery. He wants to be sure the main battery doesn't drain from the use. What I'm thinking is to put in a toggle switch or two so we can switch between the two batteries depending on which motor we are running. If I were to just run a power wire up to the fuse panel and put a toggle switch for each power wire, do you guys see any problems we might have? I'm not much into electrical stuff, that's why I'm asking, but I think it'll work.

 

[nikon]

Re: Running lights

Why not just install one of these.

http://www.iboats.com/BEP-Voltage-S...9570986--**********.931154538--view_id.341868

That way you don't have to redo any wiring, both batteries will charge, then discharge separately when you turn off the motors.

 

[CV16]

Re: Running lights

Hmm, never saw such a thing. Thanks for putting the link up. Now for my next question. Will that work no matter what motor I am running? Right now I have a battery for the main motor and a seperate battery for the trolling motor. They are not connected together in any way as of now.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Running lights

You don't need to complicate things over the nav lights. You have two motors, and two separate charging systems. A dual battery switch is NOT solution and in fact it could present a problem. Use either battery to power the NAV lights. They don't draw that much power and certainly don't need additional wiring. Your dad is apparently worried about discharging the battery for the big motor thus preventing it from starting. The simple solution is to carry a pair of jumper cables and jump off the troller battery if needed. Simple, effective, cheap, and troublefree. Dual battery switches are used when you have one charging system but two batteries (one starting and one house battery).

 

[nikon]

Re: Running lights

Hmm, never saw such a thing. Thanks for putting the link up. Now for my next question. Will that work no matter what motor I am running? Right now I have a battery for the main motor and a seperate battery for the trolling motor. They are not connected together in any way as of now.

Yes, it'll charge both batteries no matter what...you will have to connect the grounds of each battery together though. I just installed one in mine a week ago. Whether I have a trickle charger on either battery or the motor running with either battery selected it'll charge both batteries then disconnect the batteries when you take the charge away.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Running lights

I'm with SilverTip. The nav lights don't draw much power. If you're concerned about killing the battery in a few hours, you need a new battery.

I have the trolling batteries and the main battery in my boat connected on the negative side with a heavy cable. I carry a short piece of welding cable with a clamp on each end for jumping. I just have to jump positive to positive. It may never be used, but I don't plan to be put in harms way by a failed battery.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Running lights

Everyone needs to understand that both engines are electric start -- hence the two batteries. That also means there are two charging systems. These two systems cannot be interconnected in any way since the possibility exists for the big engine to damage the small engines charging system. Just leave the system as it is. When you are under way and heading to the location, there is no danger of running down the main battery since the engine is producing more current than the boat is using -- hence the battery is charging. There is no reason to complicate an electrical system where no problem exists.

 

[nikon]

Re: Running lights

Everyone needs to understand that both engines are electric start -- hence the two batteries. That also means there are two charging systems. These two systems cannot be interconnected in any way since the possibility exists for the big engine to damage the small engines charging system. Just leave the system as it is. When you are under way and heading to the location, there is no danger of running down the main battery since the engine is producing more current than the boat is using -- hence the battery is charging. There is no reason to complicate an electrical system where no problem exists.

UM...by that logic multi battery multi engine boats will damage each others charging system.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Running lights

Depends on how the two systems are interconnected. Which regulator is regulating? Both engines have identical charging systems there is to back feed problem. With this OP's system the small engine has roughly 1/10 the capacity of the large engine. Are you willing to take the chance of the big one not harming the small one?

 

[nikon]

Re: Running lights

It doesn't appear that they are running both engines at the same time, so he should be just fine with a common ground and the VSR. No way to damage anything that way.

 

[CV16]

Re: Running lights

I think I'll just use the toggle switch idea. I already carry the jumper cables! I'm not into spending more money on things I don't really need. We already spend enough on lures and gas(and alternators, gimble bearings, motor couplers, bellows and whatever else I forgot I just did in the last 2 years)! Thanks for the input guys. We haven't had a problem draining a battery since we started going out before the sun comes up, but it'll settle his mind about it. And that will make my day a bit more enjoyable!!!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Running lights

It doesn't appear that they are running both engines at the same time, so he should be just fine with a common ground and the VSR. No way to damage anything that way.

It doesn't matter if the small engine is running or not or whether both are running - backfeeding diodes in the small engine charging system that don't have sufficient reverse current capability can be damaged. An ACR won't protect against that. Again, I'm not contending it won't work -- I do suggest that there is the possibility of damaging charging system components on the small motor.