Battery and wiring help

[dumbdog]

I'm planning to wire my lights and fishfinder in the next couple days and was looking for some advice on batteries. For the first year this boat will be used in electric lakes only so I was thinking of having one battery for the trolling motor and a second battery for the fish finder and lights. Is this overkill? I plan on using marine deep cell batteries and was looking for suggestions on that as well. Due boat layout, the batteries, or battery, will be in the back and other equipment will be stored in the front of the boat to help offset the weight.

REMOVE THESE ADS
BECOME A LEVEL 2

Just looking for some suggestions as to how others would do this.

Thanks,

[metalman]

No, it's not overkill to have separate batteries, in fact it is what you should do.
2 completely separate systems that are not connected in any way.
It would help if you could keep the TM cable run as short as possible.
As for what batteries, that depends on what you can afford and how willing you are to take care of them. All makes have failures but most battery trouble, especially deep cycle battery trouble comes from crappy maintenance.

...W

[catfishbill33]

No, it's not overkill to have separate batteries, in fact it is what you should do.
2 completely separate systems that are not connected in any way.
It would help if you could keep the TM cable run as short as possible.
As for what batteries, that depends on what you can afford and how willing you are to take care of them. All makes have failures but most battery trouble, especially deep cycle battery trouble comes from crappy maintenance.

...W

Hey W.I like your input but this could be my problem with batteries
exsplain crappy maintance

[catfisherman369]

I use 2 marine batteries in my boat , one for trolling motor and lights other for fish finders and spot light . I use the everstart marine batteries from walmart . They were gifts from brother in law and son in law . One is 3 years old and still kicking . The other is 2 years old and has actually been used in my truck all winter ....... lol

Just bought a battery for the truck so now to get my lazy butt out there and change them out .

[dumbdog]

Thanks for the information. I'm going to go with the two batteries and may just put the smaller one for the FF and lights in the compartment in the middle seat. It is identified as a livewell but is also used for storage. I'll have the battery in a box, just in case some water happens to get past the rubber stopper.

Thanks again for the information. I'm tired of thinking about this boat and ready to get it in the water!

[BigBird]

if you have a small boat or weight concious for electric only....i usually recommend the smaller agm batteries. BPS sells one that is smaller than a six pack and weighs less than 25 lbs. i have used them for years and great for a small boat.

[Steve]

Hey W.I like your input but this could be my problem with batteries
exsplain crappy maintance

Charge your batteries as soon as possible when you come off the water. Also you should at least monthly check the water level in them.
Keep them clean and dry.

[MH Hawker]

It is really handy to have whats known as a percent of charge meter to monitor how much power is left in a battery, you can use a volt meter to but the scaling on a percent meter is a lot easer to read and understand and over time it will help make your batterys last a lot longer if you charge them at 50 % I will post the voltages below. And I would sugest at least a group 27 or 31 deepcycle and it is handy to have a perko switch so if one runs down you can switch to the other one with out messing with wires.


voltchart1.gif

776942694f5f69476c494b533458556b6d7841-450x450-0-0.jpg

[Mark J]

If it's a small 2 man boat, one good battery, led lights, and a modern electric motor along with a properly wired system using the proper wire.

[dumbdog]

Thank you all for all the information provided. I looked at the smaller BPS batteries today, weigh 24 lbs, and will go that route for the lights and fishfinder.

Thanks again for all the information!