24v trolling motor battery wiring

doc · 05-25-11, 03:50 PM

Ok, I was looking over the wiring in my boat this weekend and came across what I think is a problem waiting to happen. Now I'm no expert so I thought I would post it here and ask. I have a 24v trolling motor (minn kota maxxum) and the batteries are setup in the traditional 24v pattern with the trolling motor hooked up to positive on one battery and negative on the other. My concern is the previous owner only had 2 batteries in use, he has the big motor, and all accessories hooked up to the first battery in the 24v chain. Everything is working fine as far as I can tell. I've just always seen the tm hooked to 2 batteries 24v then a different battery used for the big motor and accesories.

nofearengineer · 05-25-11, 03:57 PM

Doc, that is a problem. Fully charged, it works fine. However, there are two potential issues:

1. The trolling motor drains the battery too low to crank the outboard. Better buy a good set of paddles and work out a lot if you like to fish all day.

2. The outboard only charges one trolling motor battery. This results in the 24V trolling motor running one battery down much lower than the other. This battery will fail prematurely.

doc · 05-25-11, 04:03 PM

I have another hot battery I keep as a spare, just to be safe I should hook my big motor and my accesories up to it and call it done. Thanks for the help

nobass · 05-25-11, 04:33 PM

yes but make sure its a deep cycle battery for your motor it will have morecranking amps. than the ones for the trolling motor

nofearengineer · 05-25-11, 06:02 PM

Don,

Deep cycle batteries typically (though not always) have less cranking amps. They're designed for repeated deep discharge, not large current. Trolling motors need deep cycle batteries.

nobass · 05-25-11, 07:26 PM

my bad got IT backasswards can't get anything pass you technical types lol should have said deep cranking

bassboogieman · 05-25-11, 08:45 PM

NFE is ALWAYS lurking and will pounce upon any mis-speak.
In a former life

he must have been a NUN!

He just traded in his ruler for a micrometer.

He needs to get out of those old HABITS.
It's not to big a stretch that NUNs are celibate, and NFE would like to sell-a-bait.
A NUN exemplifies perfection, as does NFE.
A NUN is a symbol of purity................. wait WTF, NFE missed that one.
OK, anyone have anything to add?

lilmule · 05-25-11, 10:00 PM

Nothing like at the end of the day attempting to start the big motor and it doesnt and your 20 miles from the ramp,with semi charged trolling batteries,being blown the other way.
Yes definately hook the third up to just the outboard and dash.Then carry jumpers anyway.

docirv · 05-26-11, 09:21 AM

It will work the way it is set up now until that one day we all who own boats must face and just gives up the ghost and requires an infusion of cold hard cash to appease the boat imps.... in the meantime do as has been recommended and add that third battery so that you have a sequestered cranking battery..... wow, I used a big word, hope it is in the right context...

doc · 05-26-11, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docirv

in the meantime do as has been recommended and add that third battery so that you have a sequestered cranking battery.....

I'm not sure I like you talking about my batteries that way

05-25-11, 03:50 PM	#1
doc BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,134	24v trolling motor battery wiring Ok, I was looking over the wiring in my boat this weekend and came across what I think is a problem waiting to happen. Now I'm no expert so I thought I would post it here and ask. I have a 24v trolling motor (minn kota maxxum) and the batteries are setup in the traditional 24v pattern with the trolling motor hooked up to positive on one battery and negative on the other. My concern is the previous owner only had 2 batteries in use, he has the big motor, and all accessories hooked up to the first battery in the 24v chain. Everything is working fine as far as I can tell. I've just always seen the tm hooked to 2 batteries 24v then a different battery used for the big motor and accesories.

05-25-11, 03:57 PM	#2
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Doc, that is a problem. Fully charged, it works fine. However, there are two potential issues: 1. The trolling motor drains the battery too low to crank the outboard. Better buy a good set of paddles and work out a lot if you like to fish all day. 2. The outboard only charges one trolling motor battery. This results in the 24V trolling motor running one battery down much lower than the other. This battery will fail prematurely. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

05-25-11, 04:33 PM	#4
nobass BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: clarksville, tn, Posts: 1,690	yes but make sure its a deep cycle battery for your motor it will have morecranking amps. than the ones for the trolling motor __________________ the only easy day was yesterday

05-25-11, 06:02 PM	#5
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Don, Deep cycle batteries typically (though not always) have less cranking amps. They're designed for repeated deep discharge, not large current. Trolling motors need deep cycle batteries. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

05-25-11, 07:26 PM	#6
nobass BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: clarksville, tn, Posts: 1,690	my bad got IT backasswards can't get anything pass you technical types lol should have said deep cranking __________________ the only easy day was yesterday

05-25-11, 04:03 PM	#3
doc BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,134	I have another hot battery I keep as a spare, just to be safe I should hook my big motor and my accesories up to it and call it done. Thanks for the help

05-25-11, 08:45 PM	#7
bassboogieman BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parkesburg, Pa. Posts: 3,762	NFE is ALWAYS lurking and will pounce upon any mis-speak. In a former life he must have been a NUN! He just traded in his ruler for a micrometer. He needs to get out of those old HABITS. It's not to big a stretch that NUNs are celibate, and NFE would like to sell-a-bait. A NUN exemplifies perfection, as does NFE. A NUN is a symbol of purity................. wait WTF, NFE missed that one. OK, anyone have anything to add? Last edited by bassboogieman; 05-25-11 at 08:51 PM.

05-25-11, 10:00 PM	#8
lilmule BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Buchanan,Tn Posts: 2,685	Nothing like at the end of the day attempting to start the big motor and it doesnt and your 20 miles from the ramp,with semi charged trolling batteries,being blown the other way. Yes definately hook the third up to just the outboard and dash.Then carry jumpers anyway.

05-26-11, 09:21 AM	#9
docirv BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: West Chester, PA Posts: 140	It will work the way it is set up now until that one day we all who own boats must face and just gives up the ghost and requires an infusion of cold hard cash to appease the boat imps.... in the meantime do as has been recommended and add that third battery so that you have a sequestered cranking battery..... wow, I used a big word, hope it is in the right context... __________________ www.docirvcustombaits.com Baits that catch fish, not just fishermen

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