Curious to know how many of you use multiple batteries for a single motor. Do you use a battery switch or just have an extra battery. I am asking because as most of you know the more connections you have in salt the more chance you have for failure. I have a new Tidewater and was thinking of having an extra battery for the motor, but not using the switch…just change over if needed.
I appreciate any opinions.
You should use a Perko Dual battery switch. Makes it easy to turn all batteries off, switch to #1, #2 or both batteries in parallel. You can switch to #1 or #2 to charge either battery while running the motor. Never had one fail in 15 years. Much easier then reconnecting a second battery.
see link below:
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/414880-installing-perko-dual-battery-switch-help.html
Thanks for the post. 15 years is good enough for me. Thanks also for the supporting information.
that’s the way we rig them
just don’t run the switch on “both” during normal operation
Thanks again for the reply. I have ordered a switch and will install per your guidance.
Ken
Run 4 batteries in my Ranger. 1 crank and 3 trolling.
I use 1 of my trolling batteries as the back-up #2 crank battery on the battery switch.
Had a Hewes Redfisher wired the same way. It saved me more than once!
quote:
Originally posted by chris Vthat’s the way we rig them
just don’t run the switch on “both” during normal operationwww.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
I have never heard of this. What is the reasoning if the electronics are on one battery and the motor is on its own?
Several of the guys I fish with always have a set of jumper cables in the boat. That way if the starter battery gets weak while night fishing, or for any other reason, they can just jump start the motor using their trolling motor battery. It might not be the best remedy, but it’s a lot better than trying to change out batteries at night. A switch would save a lot of trouble, and be safer, especially in rough water. Just another thought to consider.
I appreciate the conversation. I have ordered a switch. I have had to try and physically switch out batteries while on the water and it was no fun. I was worried about the corrosion of a switch contacts, but the first reply stated the he had used one for fifteen years. This good for me. I have ordered a switch. I don’t know if I will install another motor battery or wire in one of the trolling motor batteries.
Thanks again for the conversation.
I made a set of short jumper cable to keep in my striper boat and a selonoid in my Bertram to switch batterys when needed!
half hitch
if you are running on “both”
you don’t have 2 separate batteries, you have 1 larger battery.
if something happens like a short or a charging failure, it will kill both batteries
only run on 1 at a time, always leaving the other as a spare.
my usual standard is…
crank the motor on battery 1 in the morning, if it starts strong, immediately switch to battery 2. run about half the day on battery 2, then switch back to battery 1.
this is super easy to do, and will always keep both batteries fully charged
I’ve also been under the assumption that if you have a Perko, when you want to charge the other battery turn the motor off! Switch the Perko to that battery position and then restart the motor! Something about the charging system not being able to keep up with the change over while the motor is running:question:
you can safely move between 1,2 and “both”, as long as you never switch to “off” while the motor is running.
that comes from the old days when the switch would break its connection with one battery before it made its connection to the next.
now days we have “make before break”
switch makes connection to second battery before disconnecting 1st
Thanks for the update Chris! I still have the old rotary dial phone!