Dual battery trolling motor set-up

[410001661]

I am thinking of going to a parallel battery set-up for my trolling motor. Anyone else do this? I have a 40lb minn on a 15.5' Sylvain Explorer. I am thinking of using two 1000MCA marine batteries or would that be overkill. I really don't like running wet batteries down below 50%

Thanks guys

[trimmer21]

I use two for my 24V 48lb MotorGuide on a Misty River PF17. Both are Nautilus marine deep cycle. One is hooked up to run all electrics and the other is hooked in series with it to run the trolling motor. I'm running a 30 Merc SeaPro without a charging system,so,when I'm done for the day,both batteries get put on the charger. I run the batteries below 40% all the time. I just watch the water level and use DI water to fill them. I usually get 5-6 years out of them before replacement.

[Rick in Muskoka]

Sounds like you are using a 12 volt motor. I don't see any advantage to hooking it up to 2- 12 volt batteries in parallel. If you have 2 batteries on board keep one as a spare. When the first is getting low on charge just switch the leads to the second battery.
Rick in Muskoka

[patvetzal]

Two batteries in parallel only work great if they are BOTH in IDENTICAL condition. This is seldom the case once they have a few years on them. With Ricks method you always have a spare battery just in case.
You could also go to two large six volt batteries in series....

[trimmer21]

Two batteries in parallel only work great if they are BOTH in IDENTICAL condition. This is seldom the case once they have a few years on them. With Ricks method you always have a spare battery just in case.
You could also go to two large six volt batteries in series....

This works great if you run a 12V troller. Mine is a 24V,so,they have to be hooked up in series. After a full day on the water,they're pretty much empty,just enough juice left for nav lights for coming in after dark.

[patvetzal]

This works great if you run a 12V troller. Mine is a 24V,so,they have to be hooked up in series. After a full day on the water,they're pretty much empty,just enough juice left for nav lights for coming in after dark.

Do you have a separate starting battery?
I think 1661 has a 12v motor?
Batteries in series generally work great if you can come up with a charging system that works for you...

[trimmer21]

Do you have a separate starting battery?
I think 1661 has a 12v motor?
Batteries in series generally work great if you can come up with a charging system that works for you...

My 30 Merc Sea Pro is a short shaft,pull start-tiller,much to the chagrin of fishing buddies that aren't 6'2"-240lbs LOL. The upside is I don't normally need to worry about draining one battery and not the other and there's lots of juice for the troller (used more for positioning than trolling) livewell filler and circulator and bilge. Even after using everything all day,there's always enough to run nav lights to get me off the water after dusk. This rig is 30 years old, far from fancy and state-of-the-art,but,it's still in great condition considering the stuff I've put it through and sure gets the job done.

[Sinker]

I run two in parallel on my 55lb Minnkota. It makes a big difference. I do A LOT of continuous trolling with mine so draining one battery is easy. It's hard to kill two tho....

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[Monks]

Running parallel batteries will significantly increase your overall running time. However it is important that you start with 2 new batteries as stated above. In parallel you draw from 2 equally charges batteries for a greater length of time, vs drawing from an individual 12 volt battery. Deep cycle batteries are meant to be deep discharged. Just be sure to recharge after using them. In regards to two 1000 mca batteries. You should be looking at the Group size vs mca. Typically deep cycle batteries will come in Group 24, 27 and 31. Based on your setup 31 group would be overkill. Group 24 is the lightest option and with a parallel setup should be good for you.


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[OUTCAST]

Running parallel batteries will significantly increase your overall running time. However it is important that you start with 2 new batteries as stated above. In parallel you draw from 2 equally charges batteries for a greater length of time, vs drawing from an individual 12 volt battery. Deep cycle batteries are meant to be deep discharged. Just be sure to recharge after using them. In regards to two 1000 mca batteries. You should be looking at the Group size vs mca. Typically deep cycle batteries will come in Group 24, 27 and 31. Based on your setup 31 group would be overkill. Group 24 is the lightest option and with a parallel setup should be good for you.


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finally someone answered the OP question.