Trolling Motor Battery Placement

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Budoff
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Trolling Motor Battery Placement

#1 Post by Budoff » Fri Apr 12, 2019 2:11 am

I am in the process of installing a Minn Kota Ulterra 80#, 24 volt with 60" shaft, Minn Kota 5 amp dual bank charger, and 2 size 27 marine batteries. I know some people install the batteries under the helm. Have read some info that suggests it is not wise to charge batteries in an enclosed space. Is it enough to open the helm access door while charging to alleviate gas build up? Also would it be wise to charge while in battery boxes? Thanks for any information you may have.
2014 Sweetwater 220 DFS Tritoon
Yamaha 150 4 stroke
GPS 39 mph 4 adults full fuel
2016 Yamaha FX Cruiser HO
2016 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab 4X4
Lake Anna, VA

boocat
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Re: Trolling Motor Battery Placement

#2 Post by boocat » Fri Apr 12, 2019 3:09 am

It is what it is..bout a million boats out there right getting their batteries charged under the same conditions. Sure something could happen, probably won't. Have to have a perfect gas/oxygen mix and then some type of spark ignition. I think a small amount of ventilation like leaving a hatch propped open a little would be enough. If you really want, I guess you could us a couple of table top fans to move air around if your boat is like under a tarp or something. That would also maybe keep away some of the mildew problems.

riplipper
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Re: Trolling Motor Battery Placement

#3 Post by riplipper » Fri Apr 12, 2019 3:24 am

As mentioned above, there are a million boats out there charging batteries in close quarters. Leaving the door open is more than adequate. Its actually way more than most bass fisherman do.
I am the guy at the boat ramp that gives you dirty looks when you are a complete idiot and too stupid to know it.

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guy48065
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Re: Trolling Motor Battery Placement

#4 Post by guy48065 » Fri Apr 12, 2019 6:20 am

Think of all the cars with those 12V "bombs" under the seat or in the trunk, including mine.
Don't worry about it.

Many helms have a couple of those snap-in round grates to eliminate moisture and for the horn sound to get out.
Mark
1996 Sweetwater 180EX + Johnson 40
Rush Lake, Atlanta, MI

jediger
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Re: Trolling Motor Battery Placement

#5 Post by jediger » Fri Apr 12, 2019 12:44 pm

My trolling motor batteries and charger are under the helm too. I can't say that I even prop the access door open when I charge them. Just plug it in and come back in when it's done. No explosions so far and it's been five years. You should be fine...
Pinawa Bay, Manitoba
2014 Premier Cast-a-way 231, PTX; 2014 Evinrude 250HO ETEC

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steve1313
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Re: Trolling Motor Battery Placement

#6 Post by steve1313 » Fri Apr 12, 2019 1:38 pm

guy48065 wrote:
Fri Apr 12, 2019 6:20 am
Think of all the cars with those 12V "bombs" under the seat or in the trunk, including mine.
Don't worry about it.

Many helms have a couple of those snap-in round grates to eliminate moisture and for the horn sound to get out.
I think most if not all of the vehicles with batteries under the seat utilize AGM batteries which have no vents, and are totally sealed. They can even be mounted in any orientation without issue.
Steve
"Serendipity" - 2017 Sweetwater 2286 WB Tritoon w/ 150HP Yamaha
Slipped at Lake Anna, Virginia
Primary Residence: Richmond, Virgina
Lake House: Lake Anna, Virginia

boocat
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Re: Trolling Motor Battery Placement

#7 Post by boocat » Fri Apr 12, 2019 1:55 pm

Be good with it,, let's move to the next part of the project.

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