Running Three Batteries...

[JonM81]

In my 02 Tahoe Q3 I am currently running 2 batteries. I use the boat alot for fishing and skiing... Right now on the starting battery, the boat's accessories (light, belge, livewell, etc.) run off the starting battery as well. The 2nd battery has the trolling motor and radio ran to it. I am thinking about a 3rd battery for the radio and boat accessories to run off of. I am scared that I will kill the starting motor with the livewell running while I am trolling. Is this a good idea?? <br /><br />Also, I am looking at multiple battery chargers than stay on board with an a/c plug, these are quite pricey even on ebay?? Any other ideas?? Thank you!

 

[JonM81]

Re: Running Three Batteries...

Here's one problem I have... The man I bought the boat from put 2 deep cycle batteries in, I need to buy a starting battery and keep the deep cycles for my accessories/trolling...

 

[jtexas]

Re: Running Three Batteries...

Not a bad idea if you don't mind the added weight, but I wouldn't feel compelled to make the change. A deepcycle batt, if it's big enough, will start your motor, if it's not too hard to start, and the motor will keep it charged. I bet most of us are running accessories off the cranking battery. The radio is probably the biggest current draw, is why the p/o wired it to the trolling batt. If you have a voltmeter, maybe monitoring your battery's condition throughout the day would increase your confidence level.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Running Three Batteries...

You could always stick with 2 batteries and just rewire so all accessories are running off the trolling battery. When it runs out of juice, yer done fishing! But at least you have full starting power juice.<br /><br />3 batteries is quite common fishing rigs. 2 12 volt deep cycles wired parallel will give you LOTS of extra run time on your trolling motor. And 2 deep cycles in series would allow you to run a 24 volt trolling motor. Both setups are used on many bass boats.<br /><br />As for chargers, you pay for convenience. If you want the on-board hard-wired charger you gotta pay the big bucks. If you don't mind wrestling with wires and plugs each day just run any old 12 volt charger you want to run. With proper wiring and plug-ins, there's no reason charging ALL your batteries with an external charger couldn't be easily accomplished by 1. plugging charger into the receptical on the boat, and 2. plugging charger into the wall. Again, this is common on many fishing rigs, there's usually a charger plug-in receptical on a panel up by the trolling motor with any necessary battery switches and a volt meter. Sort of like this:<br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...ber=2&category_id=216621&list_time=1148508677 <br />If you're actually wrestling with alligator clips down on the batteries themselves, you're dealing with a VERY inconvenient setup...and I'd recommend you upgrade to a battery panel to handle all that.<br /><br />As a final point, there's an electronics thread on this I-boats forum...your question might get more traffic and responses if you put it over there instead of here in the general boating thread...<br /><br />Hope I've helped more than confused you!

 

[JonM81]

Re: Running Three Batteries...

Sorry guys, I guess that was more of an electrical Q than general. I think for now I will run the radio, trolling, and accessories off one deep cycle and just the motor off the 2nd deep cycle. I have a 10 amp charger that I have used in the past. I will see how it does this weekend with this set up. I will be fishing sat and sun. I shouldnt have to charge the starting battery at all as much as I use the boat, so hopefully I can get by this summer with this new set up. Worst case is I have to run a 3rd battery and buy an on board 2 bank charger for convenience... Thanks guys..

 

[StratMan290FS]

Re: Running Three Batteries...

the bass pro shop xps series chargers are nice for the price, i have a 3 bank one and it does great. I have 2 deep cycles and 1 cranker, all acc/radio are hooked to my cranker and i even run an amp on my stereo. I havent had any problems yet, i run my aerators on intervals and every so often start my motor while trolling to let it charge up a lil.

 

[youngboater]

Re: Running Three Batteries...

Wednesday I was only a few miles from the dock and when I start up the motor all I hear is ticking, tick tick. I charged both of them the night before and they were all good. Anyways I switched the srarting battery with the deep cycle and bam we have power! My boat has a built in 3 bank charger and the whole boat is wired for 3 batteries. I only use two and have never had a problem until then. They are top of the line Trojan batteries, but they were 4 years old and for them to last that long to me is great. My new starter battery cost me $96 and the deep cycle $70(both Trojans), expensive in my opinion, but well worth it because when you need them at least one of the two or three will work.

 

[JonM81]

Re: Running Three Batteries...

I think I am gonna bite the bullet and get a third battery (chranking) and on board charger...<br /><br />I was wrong... I got in there this AM and traced everything.... The only thing the 2nd deep cycle runs is the trolling... radio, accessories and engine are ran off one deep cycle... I am gonna have to do some re wiring to make all this work to my advantage... Any advice appreciated.

 

[Kymatlo]

Re: Running Three Batteries...

Go buy you a high-end Optima Battery. It'll set you back $150-200 depending on the model, but you'll need 1 battery and it will last all day. I run 2 livewells, XM radio, VHF, 55lb trolling motor, and various other lights and accessory plugs off 1 optima all day. Mine's going on 3 years old and it's a red-top (you'll see what I mean if you shop for Optimas) I bought a cheap ($30?) onboard trickle-charger that I screwed into the bottom of my rear-deck lid. It charges at 4 amps, so it takes awhile, but it'll juice that Optima overnight.

I still run a seperate starting battery that has Bilge, Trim, and Outboard on it. It charges off the outboard. That way I never sink or get stuck on the lake unable to start the big motor

 

[JB25VIP]

Re: Running Three Batteries...

go ahead and get a third battery, run a battery isolator to all three of them. I just hooked up a dual battery setup in my boat, one starting battery and the other deep cycle, which i have my radio and lights etc. running off of. The battery isolator charges both at the same time and stops charging them when they are full. The beauty of it is that when you are running down your deep cycle battery with accesories with the motor off, it "isolates" the starting battery so the lower charged battery won't pull from the other battery. therefore never worrying about not being able to start up again. They make isolators for 2 and 3 battery setups. works well for me. figured it would work for you too if you haven't thought about an isolator.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Running Three Batteries...

Even better yet, check this system out...

http://www.ezacdc.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=113

I was faced with the same dilemma, but decided to try this before going to dual house bank, and single crank. I have dual purpose for cranking, and deep for house... When the trolling and stereo / house voltage is low, start up the boat and charge the system... VSR (voltage sensitive relay) does all the work... If by chance you need and extra boost, change switch to combine, start your boat and let the VSR charge you up... I went with a guest dual bank 10amp shore charger...